Systems Solutions Architect III

OKSI; Torrance, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 141,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Opto-Knowledge Systems, Inc. (OKSI) in Torrance, CA, seeks a Systems Solutions Architect III to lead architecture development for defined portions of complex systems, translating mission requirements into scalable design and guiding integration across mechanical, electrical, software, firmware, and AI components.

You will mentor junior engineers, conduct architecture evaluations, contribute to capture and proposals, and maintain traceable architecture documentation throughout the lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or a related field.
• 4 years of experience in systems engineering, architecture, or related technical leadership roles.
• Strong understanding of multi-domain systems architecture and integration.
• Experience coordinating technical work across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Ability to lead subsystem architecture development and integration planning.
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to engineering teams and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture development for defined portions of complex systems, translating operational needs and system requirements into structured architecture solutions.
• Coordinate integration across mechanical, electrical, software, firmware, and AI components, ensuring subsystem architectures align with system-level design strategies.
• Own architectural design and technical performance for major subsystems or architecture domains, ensuring implementations meet requirements, performance targets, and integration timelines.
• Lead subsystem and system-level integration efforts, including verification and validation activities, ensuring alignment with performance, reliability, and operational objectives.
• Identify and manage technical risks affecting architecture, integration, and system performance; develop mitigation strategies and guide teams through structured problem resolution.
• Conduct trade studies and architecture evaluations to guide technical decision-making, balancing performance, cost, and schedule constraints.
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and architects; support cross-functional teams in resolving complex integration challenges.
• Support capture and proposal efforts by contributing technical architecture concepts, integration strategies, and feasibility assessments.
• Maintain architecture documentation, interface definitions, and configuration control to ensure traceability throughout the development lifecycle.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Systems Architecture

Technical Leadership

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Analytical Thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Job description

Description

Opto-Knowledge Systems, Inc. (OKSI) designs and builds electro-optical and infrared sensor systems, autonomous platforms, and modeling and simulation solutions that support national security and defense missions. Our engineers work across the full lifecycle, from concept through fielded systems, on technologies like autonomous vehicle command and control, object detection, and real-time mission operations.

Job Summary

The Systems Solutions Architect III leads architecture development for defined portions of complex technical systems, sitting at the intersection of systems engineering, hardware/software integration, and cross-functional technical leadership. This role translates mission requirements into scalable architecture solutions, guides subsystem design and integration planning, and mentors junior engineers to ensure system performance and alignment with program objectives.

What You'll Do

• Lead architecture development for defined portions of complex systems, translating operational needs and system requirements into structured architecture solutions
• Coordinate integration across mechanical, electrical, software, firmware, and AI components, ensuring subsystem architectures align with system-level design strategies
• Own architectural design and technical performance for major subsystems or architecture domains, ensuring implementations meet requirements, performance targets, and integration timelines
• Lead subsystem and system-level integration efforts, including verification and validation activities, ensuring alignment with performance, reliability, and operational objectives
• Identify and manage technical risks affecting architecture, integration, and system performance; develop mitigation strategies and guide teams through structured problem resolution
• Conduct trade studies and architecture evaluations to guide technical decision-making, balancing performance, cost, and schedule constraints
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and architects; support cross-functional teams in resolving complex integration challenges
• Support capture and proposal efforts by contributing technical architecture concepts, integration strategies, and feasibility assessments
• Maintain architecture documentation, interface definitions, and configuration control to ensure traceability throughout the development lifecycle

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or a related field
• 4 years of experience in systems engineering, systems architecture, or related technical leadership roles
• Strong understanding of multi-domain systems architecture and integration
• Experience coordinating technical work across multiple engineering disciplines
• Ability to lead subsystem architecture development and integration planning
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to engineering teams and leadership

Nice to Have

• Master's degree
• Experience supporting defense, aerospace, robotics, autonomy, or AI-enabled systems
• Experience leading subsystem architecture or integration efforts
• Experience with system verification, validation, and performance optimization
• Familiarity with DoD program environments or structured engineering lifecycles
• Demonstrated systems-level thinking and ability to guide technical teams

Why OKSI?

• See your work fielded fast. Get hands-on with hardware and watch it deployed to customers within months, not years.
• Build next-generation defense technology. Our engineering work protects warfighters, reduces collateral damage, and safeguards civilians.
• Speed and accuracy. We move quickly, and you'll see your work through from concept to deployment, not just one slice of the pipeline. No process bottlenecks; we move with speed and agility.
• Flexible schedule. Working at OKSI gives you the opportunity to see your work come to fruition while still maintaining real work-life balance through our hybrid schedule options.
• Professional growth. OKSI is expanding, which means faster-than-typical opportunities to advance your career.

Compensation and Benefits

• $140,500 - $185,000 annually. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint depending on qualifications and the budget allocated for this role.
• Medical, dental, vision fully paid by the employer for the employee
• Three weeks vacation
• Automatic company contribution to 401K – 5% of earned wages (no matching required)
• Educational assistance

ITAR Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C.
• 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.
• 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

We are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in the application and hiring process.

This employer participates in E-Verify.