Systems Engineer

ABOUT KRAKEN KINETICS

Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures advanced kinetic solutions that enable modern warfighting capabilities for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. We specialize in mission-tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms, delivering production-ready solutions at speed to address urgent national security challenges.

Our team brings decades of specialized Department of War experience across the full lifecycle of kinetic system development-from concept and design through testing, manufacturing, and operational deployment. Built on a foundation of work that helped lead the DoW into the era of kinetic drones, Kraken Kinetics combines commercial agility with deep technical expertise to deliver DEFINITIVE LETHALITY ™when it matters most.

Position Summary

Kraken Kinetics is seeking a Systems Engineer II/III to support the definition, decomposition, tracking, and verification of system-level requirements for advanced defense products. This role will serve as a critical bridge between customer needs, internal product objectives, engineering execution, test planning, and production transition.

The Systems Engineer II/III will help mature Kraken's systems engineering practices by developing requirements structures, interface documentation, verification matrices, and technical baselines that allow cross-functional teams to move quickly with clarity. This role is ideal for an engineer who can bring structure to ambiguous technical problems while remaining practical, collaborative, and execution-focused.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Capture, decompose, and manage system-level requirements derived from customer needs, internal product goals, SOWs, standards, and engineering constraints.
• Develop and maintain requirements traceability matrices, verification matrices, interface control documents, and related technical artifacts.
• Work with mechanical, electrical, firmware, test, and production teams to ensure requirements are clear, testable, and actionable.
• Support architecture definition, trade studies, technical risk assessment, and system-level decision-making.
• Coordinate with test engineering to ensure verification methods are defined and results are traceable to requirements.
• Participate in design reviews, test readiness reviews, production readiness reviews, and failure investigations.
• Identify requirement gaps, conflicts, assumptions, and risks early and drive resolution with stakeholders.
• Support development of compliance documentation, verification evidence, and customer-facing technical packages.
• Help establish systems engineering processes, templates, review practices, and documentation standards.
• Mentor junior systems engineers and contribute to stronger cross-functional engineering execution.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in systems engineering, product development, requirements management, verification planning, or complex technical program execution.
• Experience developing, decomposing, and managing technical requirements.
• Familiarity with requirements traceability, interface control, verification planning, and design review processes.
• Ability to work effectively across mechanical, electrical, firmware, test, production, and program teams.
• Strong technical communication skills and ability to translate ambiguous needs into actionable engineering work.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities and incomplete information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in defense, aerospace, robotics, electronics, weapons systems, autonomous systems, or other high-reliability product environments.
• Familiarity with MIL-STDs, safety-critical systems, environmental qualification, or compliance-driven development.
• Experience with requirements management tools, configuration-controlled documentation systems, or structured verification workflows.
• Experience developing interface control documents, verification plans, compliance matrices, or system architecture documentation.
• Experience supporting test planning, failure analysis, production transition, or customer technical reviews.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or leading systems engineering workstreams.
• Experience in a small or rapidly growing engineering organization.

Benefits included :

• Generous PTO policy
• Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents).
• Vision & dental (100% company-paid)
• Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid)
• Generous 401(k) retirement plan
• Company-paid life insurance
• Great teammates and well stocked snacks

LIFE IN MOORE COUNTY, NC (PINEHURST AREA)

Kraken Kinetics is based in Moore County, North Carolina, home to Pinehurst, a nationally recognized destination offering an exceptional quality of life.

Employees benefit from a low cost of living, minimal congestion, and a strong sense of community, with easy access to larger metropolitan areas, including Raleigh-Durham.

Whether you're looking to accelerate your career or put down long-term roots, the Pinehurst area offers a compelling alternative to traditional tech and defense hubs.

We are committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates.

Watch what it's like to live here:
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Kraken Kinetics is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applicants of all backgrounds.