Senior Principal Systems Lead Engineer

Basic Qualifications

Education Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree, plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.

 

Clearance Requirements:Department of Defense Secret security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this Position

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's in a STEM field and 10+ years of systems engineering experience; or Master's + 8 years.
• Demonstrated systems engineering leadership on complex, multi-disciplinary defense programs—requirements decomposition, system architecture, interface definition, and driving delivery from design through field demonstration.
• System-of-Systems integration experience spanning autonomy, RF communications, unmanned vehicles, munitions, sensors, and C2 software.
• Hands-on prototype development leadership—managing build schedules and driving teams through iterative build-test-learn cycles.
• Hardware/software integration experience including board-level integration, embedded software deployment, and firmware/software version management.
• Proficiency with MBSE tools (SysML, Cameo/MagicDraw, or equivalent) for requirements capture, architecture modeling, and ICD generation.
• Experience authoring ICDs, SSS, System Development Plans, CONOPS documentation, and CDRLs for DoD programs.
• Ability to lead cross-functional, multi-vendor engineering teams with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% (event-driven: demonstrations, customer reviews, integration events) is REQUIRED

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience on munitions, counter-obstacle, or related DoD programs.
• Autonomous systems experience—UGVs, navigation, perception, and human-machine teaming.
• RF communications systems experience—SDR, mesh networking, anti-jam, and BLOS integration.
• Familiarity with AI/ML inference on embedded edge platforms (NVIDIA Jetson/CUDA/TensorRT).
• Munitions and fuzing systems knowledge—warhead integration, safe-and-arm devices, fire control, and fuze safety (MIL-STD-1316).
• Experience with MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-882E, and related military standards.
• Embedded Linux, Jetson/GPU platforms, and real-time embedded software experience.
• Familiarity with TAK ecosystem, Cursor on Target (CoT) protocols, and battle management system integration.
• Cybersecurity compliance experience—RMF, NIST SP 800-53, DISA STIGs.
• Reliability & Maintainability engineering—R&M predictions, FRACAS, FMEA/FMECA.
• Human-Centered Design (HCD) experience—wireframing, user interface design, operator interaction analysis.
• Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the creation of systems engineering artifacts.

Tools & Environment

• Cameo/MagicDraw (MBSE), Confluence, Jira, Python, MATLAB/Simulink, Git, Creo/SolidWorks (CAD review), AWS, WinTAK/GeoSuite, lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, logic analyzers).

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership: Lead a multi-discipline engineering team through technical, program, and customer meetings. Guide junior engineers, drive integration and test execution, coordinate with subcontractor teams, and remove blockers to maintain schedule momentum.
• Systems Engineering Lifecycle: Own requirements analysis, system architecture, interface definition, CDRL development, prototype build, integration execution, and customer deliverables across a System-of-Systems encompassing autonomous vehicles, munitions, RF communications, and C2 software.
• Requirements Management: Decompose, trace, and validate system requirements. Manage customer and derived requirements across all subsystems with bidirectional traceability from requirements through design and verification evidence.
• System Architecture & MBSE: Develop and maintain a model-based system architecture covering functional, logical, and physical decomposition. Define system interfaces and ensure traceability from requirements through design solutions.
• Prototype Development: Lead design, fabrication, and iterative build of system and subsystem prototypes. Coordinate hardware procurement, manage lab standup, and drive build-test-learn cycles to rapidly mature system capabilities.
• Hardware/Software Integration: Oversee HW/SW implementation across all subsystems. Review and approve design decisions, manage firmware/software version baselines, and resolve interface issues during integration.
• ICD & Technical Documentation: Lead Interface Control Document development for all internal and external interfaces. Author System Development Plans, System/Subsystem Specifications, and Monthly Technical Reports meeting DI-series data item descriptions.
• Safety & Cybersecurity: Support system safety analysis (FHA, hazard identification, risk assessment) per MIL-STD-882E and review board activities. Contribute to RMF cybersecurity compliance and System Security Plan development.
• Integration & Test: Drive test case development, procedure reviews, and hands-on integration activities. Lead Problem Review Boards, resolve test discrepancies, and drive knowledge point demonstrations and customer acceptance testing.

 

Workplace Options:This position is fully onsite, remote or Hybrid/Flex based on candidate qualifications.While on-site, you will be a part of the Ft Wayne, Indiana team. 

 

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Salary Note

This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Combined Salary Range

USD $174,648.00 - USD $193,751.00 /Yr.

Company Overview

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans