Principal Systems Engineer

Systems Engineer

This Systems Engineer role focuses on the design, development, integration, and maintenance of complex defense systems that meet stringent specifications and performance requirements. You will convert customer and product requirements into complete system solutions, guide technical teams, and ensure compliance with defense industry standards in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the logical and systematic conversion of customer and product requirements into total systems solutions that account for technical, schedule, and cost constraints.
• Perform functional analysis, timeline analysis, detailed trade studies, requirements allocation, and interface definition studies to translate customer needs into hardware and software specifications.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system issues by collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
• Provide technical guidance and recommendations to engineering teams to drive innovation and advanced prototype concepts in automation, modeling and simulation, software architectures, and system integration.
• Conduct system integration and testing to verify and validate the functionality, performance, and security of defense systems.
• Participate in, lead, and coordinate the preparation, conduct, and closeout of internal and external customer reviews, including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and Stage Gate reviews.
• Identify potential technical risks and cost impacts associated with system development and implementation and contribute to mitigation strategies.
• Ensure systems comply with applicable defense industry standards, regulations, and best practices.
• Support rapid development activities and contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes and tools.

Essential Skills

• Proven systems engineering experience within the defense industry, with approximately 12+ years of relevant practice.
• Strong background in systems engineering, including design, prototyping, modeling analysis, and simulation for complex systems.
• Hands-on experience in requirements development, requirements management, and requirements configuration control.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and collaborate across cross-discipline teams, including Electrical, Mechanical, Software, Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC), Manufacturing, and Operations.
• Ability to generate block diagrams and interface control diagrams, including electrical, logical, and software interfaces.
• Integration, test, verification, and validation experience for complex systems.
• Intermediate proficiency with MS Word, MS Excel, MS Visio, MS Project, and other applicable engineering and project management tools.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with strong interpersonal abilities to work effectively with diverse technical teams.
• Ability to obtain necessary security clearances.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in an engineering, science, or related technical field is preferred.
• Experience with rapid development environments and processes.
• Familiarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and related tools and languages such as SysML or equivalent.
• Configuration management experience, including tools and processes for controlling system baselines.
• Experience participating in formal technical reviews such as SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and Stage Gate reviews.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to perform detailed trade studies and timeline analyses.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while balancing multiple technical and schedule priorities.

Work Environment

You will work in a mix of office, research and development, test, and small manufacturing environments that support advanced GPS/PNT and defense-related systems. The setting offers a small-company feel and collaborative atmosphere, where you interact closely with multidisciplinary engineering and operations teams. The role is structured as a long-term contract-to-hire opportunity, with paid time off and holidays negotiable. Work typically involves using standard office productivity tools alongside engineering and modeling software, participating in lab and test activities, and engaging in design and review sessions in both office and technical spaces. Dress code is generally business casual in office areas, with appropriate safety and protective attire required in R&D, test, and manufacturing spaces as needed.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tucson, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $75.00/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 & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Tucson,AZ.

About Actalent

Actalent 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 all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.