Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Weapons Fuzing- REMOTE

Project/Program Overview:

GDMS is building a Fuze product line within its Weapons & Networked Solutions (WNS) business unit to support next-generation programs including the Terrain Shaping Obstacle (TSO), autonomous ground munitions, and precision guided weapon fuzing. The organization seeks a Principal Systems Engineer with deep, hands-on expertise in Electronic Safe Arm Fuze and Device (ESAD/ESAF) design, verification, and manufacturing to anchor this team and mentor the next generation of fuze engineers.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record developing fielded fuze systems through the full lifecycle - from concept through safety certification - with direct experience navigating fuze safety boards like Weapons System Explosives Safety Review Board (WSESRB), Non-Nuclear Munitions Safety Board (NNMSB), and the Army Fuze Safety Review Board (AFSRB). Established relationships within the fuze engineering community across Army, Navy, Air Force, and DoD laboratories are a significant differentiator.

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.

Job Description:

Required Skills and Expertise:

• ESAD/ESAF Architecture & Design (Expert): Led design of fielded ESAD/ESAF; can independently architect ESD, S&A, and firing chain; Experience designing systems compliant to MIL-STD-1316 or MIL-STD-1911
• Environmental Sensing design (Expert): Designed sensing systems that sense environment conditions such as release, setback, spin, and all-up-round environments
• Environmental testing of fuze systems (Expert): Designed qualification tests for fuzing systems iaw JOTP, MIL-STD-331, and MIL-STD-810; performed environmental qualification; performed failure and root cause analysis on failures
• Safe and Arm (S&A) mechanism design (Expert): Designed electrical or electromechanical S&A devices
• High reliability electronics (Advanced): Experience designing high reliability electronics systems for safety critical or mission critical systems
• Firing chain design (CDU / EFI) (Advanced): Designed capacitor discharge units; selected/qualified EFI. Experience performing or overseeing HERO margin analysis
• Self-destruct / self-neutralize design (Advanced): Designed self-destruct/neutralization mechanisms to reduce UxO
• Fuze system-level requirements decomposition (Advanced): Traces system requirements to ESD, S&A, firing circuit, and software; manages RVTM
• Target detection & classification (Intermediate): Working knowledge of magnetic influence, seismic, acoustic, or pressure-based target sensing systems
• Built-in test (BIT) design for fuze systems (Advanced): Designed continuous and power-on BIT for S&A, battery, and sensor health; fault lockout logic; experience with BIT coverage analysis

Highly Desired Differentiators:

• AFSRB board presenter: Has personally presented to the AFSRB - extremely rare; commands immediate credibility within the Air Force fuze community
• Multi-service fuze programs: Delivered fuzes for two or more military services (Army + Navy, or AF + Army), demonstrating breadth across service-specific requirements
• Proximity fuze / active sensing: Designed active proximity fuze systems (RF, laser, acoustic) in addition to passive influence fuzing
• Autonomous system integration (UAS/UGV payloads): Integrated fuze with autonomous delivery platforms
• MOSA / open architecture fuzing: Designed fuzes to modular open systems architecture (MOSA) principles; plug-and-play payload integration
• Digital twin / simulation: Built quantitative physics-based fuze simulations for firing chain timing, magnetic signature modeling, or safety FTA
• Picatinny / NSWC / AFRL lab background: Government lab background in fuze engineering - brings inside understanding of Government test and qualification processes
• University relationships: Maintains academic connections (Colorado School of Mines, Penn State ICT, Auburn, Purdue, Texas A&M ballistic programs) for talent pipeline support

Our Commitment to You:

• An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
• Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation's security
• Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work, if desired (9/80 schedule)
• Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more
• See more at gdmissionsystems.com/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits

Workplace Options:

This position is fully onsite or hybrid/flex with opportunity to be fully remote/telework for candidates with strong experience and background . If remote, 25% travel to Ft. Wayne, Indiana site with possibility of surge support based on scheduled events.

While on-site, you will be a part of the Advanced Electronics Systems team located in Ft Wayne, Indiana

Skills and Certifications [note: bold skills and certification are required]



Environmental Testing of Fuze Systems



Environmental Sensing Design



Safe and Arm Mechanism Design



Firing Chain Design



Fuze System-Level Requirements Decomposition



Self-Destruct / Self-Neutralize Design



Built-in test (BIT) design for fuze systems

Screening Questions
Do you have Firing Chain Design experience?
Do you have experience with Fuze Systems?
If working remote, there will be 25% travel or more to facility in Ft. Wayne, IN. Are you OK with this?
Do you have an active DoD Secret clearance?