Principal Systems Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY:   

The primary responsibility of the Principal Systems Engineer is to provide extensive systems and integration theory/knowledge for implementation or resolving issues.  The Principal Systems Engineer will work with engineers in Waco and Irving, Texas from the Irving headquarters. As that senior level, you will be guiding junior engineers/technicians for the tasks required. Specific tasks may include advising on engineering processes, responsibility for creating requirements for products that meet the customer’s needs and the company roadmap objectives. You will be instrumental in ensuring the requirements are satisfied in the design by attending design reviews, participating in phase gate reviews with customers and key stake holders. You will drive verification, performance and environmental testing efforts. You will also assist in developing the necessary documentation required by a robust engineering development process. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Being accountable and lead the systems architectural design for new products, new product development and research activities.  

• Provide technical leadership on proposals. 

• Develop engineering labor and non-recurring cost estimates for new projects and for customer proposals. 

• Create and manage requirements that are complete, consistent, unambiguous, feasible, modifiable, and testable. 

• Ensure that requirements traceability is achieved throughout the development lifecycle. 

• Provide guidance for and validation of regression testing. 

• Create, modify or review test documents for DO-160, MIL-STD-461, MIL-STD-810, EUROCAE and RTCA  qualification testing and production. 

• Set up equipment for qualification testing at labs. 

• Perform trade studies and selection of avionics components and systems. 

• Develop avionics hardware requirements and interface control documents. 

• Will work closely with project management throughout the avionics hardware and software development lifecycle. 

• Support and chair peer reviews to ensure requirements satisfaction and validation. 

• Chair and lead milestone reviews including PDR, CDR, SDR etc. 

• Develop Systems Safety Design Material that complies with regulatory guidelines. (to include ARP4754A and ARP4761) 

• Provide assistance/guidance to sales inquiries regarding technical details of products. 

• Provide occasional assistance/guidance for service and support issues. 

• Provide occasional support for technical customer meetings. 

• Develop risk assessment and risk mitigation for technical and schedule issues. 

• Develop Ground Test Plans for aircraft integration  

• Troubleshoot installation issues on aircraft  

• Participate in tests flights as required for aircraft parts FAA Technical Standard Order (TSO) and STC process  

• Analyze test data, report findings  

• Other tasks as necessary. 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or equivalent or related field with a minimum of 12 years of direct experience 

• Read electrical schematics and wiring diagrams; must be able to identify basic symbols. 

• Experience in Systems Engineer position in electronics hardware or software  development. 

• Experience with analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuit design, analysis, test, and debug. 

• Competent in creating test procedures for avionics verification and qualification testing given requirements. 

• Familiarity with general lab equipment (oscilloscope, DMM, logic analyzer, spectrum analyzer) will be a plus. 

• Highly organized team player with excellent technical communication skills (written and verbal) 

• Knowledgeable in aircraft systems and installations. 

• Experience with scripting; programming and analysis/modeling tools: Python, MATLAB / Simulink / SPICE (or similar). 

• Understanding of RTCA DO-254 and DO-178C compliant processes for safety or mission critical aerospace flight hardware and software. 

PERFORMANCE ATTRIBUTES & COMPETENCIES:  

Leadership  

• Vision & Strategic Thinking: Clear vision for the possible…thinks ahead about outcomes. 

• Energy: Exhibits strong desire to achieve success. 

• Problem-Solver: Objectively and logically recognizes and solves problems. 

Interpersonal & Teamwork  

• Team Player: Reaches out to overcome walls; overcomes "we-they" relationships; approachable and earns respect for focus on "company" interests. 

• Communication: Speaks confidently and effectively in one-on-one, team and public settings; writes clearly and concisely. 

• Persuasive: Exhibits persuasiveness in change situations and effectively finds win-win solutions. 

Personal & Intellectual  

• Integrity: Sets example; doesn't ethically cut corners; earns trust and respect. 

• Intelligence: A "quick study" demonstrates ability to absorb new information rapidly. 

• Leading-Edge: Constantly looking for best practice benchmarks. 
  

LANGUAGE SKILLS   

Qualified candidates should be able to speak effectively to pilots and aircraft owners about avionics products and how they perform. The applicant must possess the ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES    

Candidates must have a strong command of computer desktop tools such as MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) to assist in completing essential duties. Effectively demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills. Must have a willingness to constantly be learning.  

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  

The requirements listed below are representative of the education, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.