Principal Systems Engineer

Principal Systems Engineer - SolutionsLocation: Reston, VA, USSES Space & Defense is a trusted partner ensuring mission success for our customers by blanketing the globe with multi orbit end to end satellite and technology solutions which provide reliable, secure, and high bandwidth connectivity. We strive to be the only solution when success is critical, and we will take care of our employees because we recognize they are our competitive advantage. The SES S&D Team, along with our customers and partners, will achieve success through integrity, honor, and commitment.What You'll Do:The Principal Systems Engineer – Solutions leads the development of innovative, end-to-end technical solutions supporting strategic business pursuits, customer capture activities, and select internal engineering initiatives. Working closely with Business Development, Capture, Engineering, and customers, you will translate mission requirements into integrated solution architectures spanning multi-orbit satellite communications, hybrid satellite and terrestrial networking, cloud technologies, software integration, automation, and secure communications. This role serves as a technical integrator, bringing together subject matter experts from across the organization to develop practical, executable solutions that balance customer needs, technical maturity, cost, and execution risk. In addition to supporting strategic capture efforts, you will help develop reusable solution frameworks, reference architectures, and engineering standards that strengthen the company's long-term technical capabilities.This position is ideal for an experienced systems engineer or solutions architect who enjoys solving complex customer challenges while working across multiple engineering disciplines.Lead the technical solution development for strategic customer pursuits and competitive capture opportunitiesTranslate customer operational needs into innovative, end-to-end solution architectures spanning satellite, terrestrial, cloud, software, cybersecurity, and network infrastructureDevelop system architectures, operational concepts, interface definitions, engineering trade studies, and technical approaches supporting complex communications solutionsServe as the lead technical integrator across multidisciplinary engineering teams, coordinating expertise from satellite communications, networking, software, cloud, cybersecurity, product engineering, and operations organizationsDevelop architectures supporting multi-orbit satellite communications and hybrid satellite and terrestrial network environments utilizing wired and wireless transport technologiesSupport technical strategy development for new service offerings and future business opportunitiesDevelop technical proposal content, white papers, executive briefings, technical presentations, and customer demonstrationsParticipate in customer meetings, technical interchange meetings, architecture reviews, and design workshopsEvaluate emerging technologies and commercial best practices for incorporation into future SES Space & Defense solutionsSupport internal initiatives to develop reusable solution frameworks, engineering standards, and reference architecturesMentor junior engineers while promoting systems thinking and engineering excellence throughout the organizationWho You Are:You are a systems engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and working directly with customers to develop practical, mission-focused solutions. Your experience spans multiple engineering disciplines, allowing you to connect satellite communications, networking, cloud technologies, software, and cybersecurity into cohesive system architectures. You are comfortable collaborating with engineering teams, supporting business development and capture efforts, and communicating technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. You bring a systems-thinking mindset, balancing customer requirements, technical feasibility, and business objectives to deliver well-rounded solutions. Most importantly, you enjoy being the technical bridge between customers, engineering teams, and product organizations while helping shape future capabilities for the business.Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and directly applicable experienceTypically 10–15 years of progressively responsible systems engineering, solution architecture, or systems integration experienceDemonstrated experience developing technical solutions supporting customer captures, proposal efforts, or large system implementationsBroad understanding of systems engineering principles across multiple engineering disciplinesExperience integrating heterogeneous technologies into cohesive operational solutionsWorking knowledge of IP networking, enterprise networking, cloud technologies, virtualization, software interfaces, APIs, automation, and orchestrationExcellent written, verbal, presentation, and technical documentation skillsProficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and VisioActive Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain oneExperience supporting U.S. Government or Department of Defense programs preferredExperience with multi-orbit satellite communications (GEO, MEO, and LEO) and hybrid satellite and terrestrial network architectures preferredFamiliarity with satellite ground systems, gateway architectures, teleports, Network Operations Centers (NOCs), or Satellite Operations Centers (SOCs) preferredExperience with cloud-native architectures, network virtualization, software-defined networking, and service orchestration preferredFamiliarity with cybersecurity principles applicable to secure communications systems preferredExperience supporting digital engineering, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), or enterprise architecture initiatives preferredExperience presenting technical solutions to executive leadership and government customers preferredExperience with mission-critical communications, solution architecture, technical capture support, and systems integration across complex communications environments preferredSES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.