Systems Integration Engineer

Systems Integration EngineerThe Systems Integration Engineer serves as the technical leader for a Systems Integration Laboratory, overseeing electrical system design, integration, and testing for ground combat systems. This role combines strategic technical leadership with hands-on engineering, focusing on complex military vehicle electrical systems and ensuring compliance with rigorous defense and aerospace standards. The engineer manages Systems Integration Laboratory builds and bench testing, coordinates subsystem integration, and produces detailed design and interface documentation to support reliable, mission-critical systems.ResponsibilitiesLead the Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL) as the primary technical authority for electrical system design, integration, and testing for ground combat systems.Plan, manage, and execute SIL builds, including setup, configuration, and maintenance of test benches and integration rigs.Perform bench testing of integrated systems and subsystems, analyze test results, and drive corrective actions to resolve technical issues.Coordinate subsystem integration activities, ensuring that electrical, software, and mechanical components interface correctly and function as intended.Ensure all designs and integrations comply with applicable military and aerospace standards, including relevant MIL-STDs and defense-specific requirements.Develop, review, and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) to define and control electrical and data interfaces between subsystems.Maintain configuration control of electrical designs, test setups, and documentation to ensure traceability and version integrity.Collaborate closely with mechanical, software, and systems engineering teams to align integration activities with overall system architecture and performance goals.Interface with vendors and suppliers to specify, evaluate, and procure components that meet technical, quality, and compliance requirements.Apply strong knowledge of power systems, CAN bus, Ethernet, fiber optics, and EMI/EMC considerations to design robust and reliable electrical architectures.Support integration and testing of sensor systems, including Hall Effect sensors, resolvers, and related motor control and braking systems.Use tools such as Altium Designer, Visio, MATLAB/Simulink, and AutoCAD to create schematics, wiring diagrams, system models, and documentation.Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and oversight to team members working within the SIL environment.Communicate project status, technical risks, and integration issues clearly to stakeholders and contribute to project planning and scheduling.Support professional development and compliance activities related to security clearances, standards adherence, and process improvement within the integration environment.Essential SkillsBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.8–12 years of electrical engineering experience in defense or aerospace environments.3–5 years of experience in Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL) leadership or a similar systems integration role.Expertise in ground combat systems or military vehicle electrical systems.Proficiency with Altium Designer for schematic capture and PCB-related design.Proficiency with Microsoft Visio for system and interface diagrams.Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink for modeling, analysis, and simulation of electrical and control systems.Proficiency with AutoCAD for electrical layouts, wiring diagrams, and related documentation.Strong knowledge of power systems design and analysis for military or heavy vehicle applications.Strong knowledge of CAN bus architectures and implementation in vehicle systems.Strong knowledge of Ethernet and Ethernet cabling for data communication in integrated systems.Strong knowledge of fiber optics in high-reliability communication and sensing applications.Strong understanding of EMI/EMC considerations and their impact on system design and integration.Experience with MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-704 and their application to electrical system design and testing.Experience with ITAR compliance requirements in defense-related projects.Strong understanding of sensor systems, including Hall Effect sensors and resolvers.Strong understanding of motor control and braking systems in complex vehicle platforms.Ability to develop detailed Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for electrical and data interfaces.Ability to maintain configuration control for designs, test setups, and documentation.Excellent communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder interaction.Strong project management skills to coordinate integration activities, schedules, and resources.Additional Skills & QualificationsMaster's degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.Professional Engineer (PE) license.Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.Experience with turret systems, weapon integration, and fire control systems.Familiarity with DO-160 environmental and test standards.Familiarity with MIL-STD-810 environmental testing requirements.Experience with cybersecurity compliance in defense systems.Active or prior Secret-level security clearance.Experience working with military standards and defense-specific compliance frameworks.Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams in a laboratory or integration environment.Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot complex integration issues under schedule constraints.Work EnvironmentThis role operates in a hands-on Systems Integration Laboratory environment within a defense-focused setting. You will work directly with electrical hardware, harnesses, power systems, sensors, and communication networks, performing integration and bench testing on ground combat system platforms and subsystems. The position involves close collaboration with mechanical, software, and systems engineering teams, requiring frequent technical discussions, design reviews, and joint troubleshooting sessions. You will regularly interface with vendors and suppliers to source and qualify components that meet stringent technical and compliance requirements. The work environment emphasizes adherence to military and aerospace standards, configuration control, and secure handling of sensitive information. Expect a mix of laboratory-based activities, design and documentation work using tools such as Altium Designer, Visio, MATLAB/Simulink, and AutoCAD, and coordination across multiple projects and stakeholders. The organization supports professional development, including opportunities related to security clearance processes and ongoing technical growth, within a structured and safety-conscious defense engineering environment.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Madison Heights, MI.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $52.88 - $57.69/hr.Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Madison Heights, MI.Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Sep 16, 2026.About ActalentActalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider