Application / Systems Engineer

Systems Integration EngineerLocation: Germantown, MD (On-site with 35% travel & some international travel)Salary: $110,000 - $135,000 + Annual BonusOverviewSeeking a customer-facing Applications/Integration Engineer to own the integration, testing, and troubleshooting of EO/IR payloads within customer platforms. This role serves as the technical bridge between the engineering teams, U.S.-based customers, and prime contractors.Will be responsible for end-to-end system integration, working across hardware, software, and mechanical interfaces, and will act as the primary technical point of contact during integrations, deployments, and field support.This is a hands-on, high-visibility role requiring strong systems thinking, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues in real-world customer environments.Core RequirementsMust have Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering)3+ years of experience in systems engineering, integration, test engineering, or field engineering rolesHands-on experience with system-level integration and troubleshootingExperience working with government, defense, or security customersPrior customer-facing technical role (Field Engineer, Systems Integrator, Solutions Engineer)Ability to operate without detailed manuals in dynamic environmentsStrong root cause analysis and problem-solving skillsAbility to travel 35% annually based upon needs, with 2-3 weeks of initial training internationallyExperience working with integrated hardware systems (components, subsystems, payloads, or platforms)Electrical wiring, connectors, and harnessesPower distribution and signal flowMechanical interfaces and physical integrationComfort performing assembly/disassembly and field diagnosticsExperience supporting software-enabled systems or SDK-based integrationsUnderstanding of communication protocols, data/message flow, and system interfacesExperience in troubleshooting software issues related to upgrades or configurationExperience executing or supporting test procedures and system validationAbility to interpret test data and communicate results clearlyPreferred QualificationsExperience with EO/IR, ISR, radar, sensor, UAV, or defense systemsExperience supporting international engineering teamsFamiliarity with UAV, maritime, vehicle, or other surveillance platformsKey ResponsibilitiesSystem & Payload IntegrationLead integration of EO/IR payloads into customer platformsUnderstand and validate payload-to-platform interfaces, including power, data, mechanical, and communication protocolsSupport both prime and sub-contractor integration scenariosTranslating customer system requirements into actionable technical executionTroubleshooting & Root Cause AnalysisPerform system-level troubleshooting to identify whether issues originate at the component, subsystem, or interface levelAnalyze test outputs, logs, and data to determine root cause and corrective actionsDecide whether issues require:Component replacementSubsystem removalEscalation to engineering teamsSupport rapid issue resolution during factory testing, integration testing, and field deploymentsHardware & Hands-On Technical WorkPerform assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of payloads and integrated systemsTrace electrical wiring, connectors, and harnesses to isolate faultsValidate proper power delivery, signal flow, and mechanical connectionsSupport physical inspections and system validation at customer sitesSoftware & SDK Integration SupportSupport software and SDK-based integrations between payloads and customer systemsTroubleshoot communication issues, data/message flow, and integration mismatchesWork with software engineers to resolve bugs related to upgrades, versioning, or configurationInterpret logs and error messages to support integration debuggingTesting & ValidationExecute and support defined test procedures for payloads and integrated systemsSupport software and SDK-based integrations between payloads and customer systemsTroubleshoot communication issues, data/message flow, and integration mismatchesWork with software engineers to resolve bugs related to upgrades, versioning, or configurationInterpret logs and error messages to support integration debuggingCustomer & Internal CollaborationServe as the primary technical interface with customers during integrationsClearly explain technical issues, risks, and resolutions to non-specialist stakeholdersCoordinate closely with engineering teams in Israel and U.S. program stakeholdersSupport training, documentation, and knowledge transfer activitiesPersonal Attributes for SuccessSelf-starter with strong initiative and an ownership mindsetComfortable wearing multiple hats in a fast-moving environmentStrong interpersonal and communication skillsAbility to build trust with customers and internal stakeholdersAdaptable, curious, and motivated to deeply understand complex systemsTraining & TravelInitial onboarding and technical training in Israel (2–3 weeks)Ongoing collaboration with international engineering teamsPeriodic international and domestic travel for customer support and training (40% annual average)