Systems Engineer Principal

Job ID: 2618104

Location: California, MD, US

Date Posted: 2026-10-19

Category: Engineering and Sciences

Subcategory: Systems Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required: Interim_Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: Secret

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_HYBRID


Description


?SAIC is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer Principal to support PMA251 Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Systems Program Office, to lead the technical direction for high-visibility Naval aviation and shipboard systems that directly impact Fleet readiness and safety. As the Senior Principal Lead Systems Engineer for Foreign Miliary Sales (FMS), you will set architecture, drive requirements and integration, mentor engineers, and represent the program at senior reviews-partnering with NAVAIR/NAVSEA and International stakeholders across complex systems such as AAG, EMALS, ALRE, shipboard power/motion control, and related electromechanical/control domains.

What You'll Lead & Deliver

• Own the system architecture & technical baseline for multi-disciplinary hardware/software systems; guide decisions on interfaces, behaviors, allocations, performance, safety, and sustainment across the lifecycle.
• Drive requirements management & traceability: lead decomposition, allocation, and verification planning; maintain DOORS/DOORS NG baselines and ensure full traceability to test/certification.
• Apply MBSE & Digital Engineering at scale: build and govern SysML models (Cameo/MagicDraw), advance digital thread/twin practices, and align models with program artifacts (CONOPS, ICDs, SOWs, specs).
• Lead verification & validation (V&V): define strategies, acceptance criteria, MOEs/MOPs; coordinate DT&E/OT&E, test readiness (OTR/OTD), and data-driven performance analysis for decision reviews.
• Chair/represent engineering at SETR & acquisition milestones: prepare and lead SRR/SFR/PDR/CDR and milestone gates aligned to AAF/DoD 5000; author technical assessments, trade studies, and risk mitigations.
• Integrate across stakeholders and IPTs: collaborate with program offices, Fleet users, industry partners, and cross-functional teams (systems, electrical, mechanical, software, test, cyber, safety).
• Institutionalize rigor: enforce configuration management (CM), change control (ECPs), R&M planning, FMEAs, and disciplined documentation quality.
• Mentor & elevate the team: coach junior/mid-level engineers; establish best practices for requirements, modeling, integration, test, and technical writing.

Why Join?

• Mission impact: Influence systems that Sailors rely on every day; measurably improve Fleet safety and readiness.
• Technical leadership: Set architecture, lead integration/V&V, and shape milestone decisions on major Navy programs.
• Growth & collaboration: Work with seasoned engineers and prior-service teammates; mentor others while advancing MBSE and Digital Engineering practices.

Qualifications


Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Computer, or related).
• 9+ years of systems engineering experience delivering complex hardware/software systems in DoD/Navy environments, including leadership of multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience supporting Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs is required.
• Advanced proficiency in MBSE and SysML (e.g., Cameo/MagicDraw), DOORS/DOORS NG, and Digital Engineering methods (digital thread/twin).
• Demonstrated success owning architecture, requirements, integration, and V&V for large programs (preferably ACAT I/MDAP scale).
• Hands-on familiarity with SETR (SRR/SFR/PDR/CDR) and lifecycle processes aligned to AAF/DoD 5000.
• Experience with modeling & simulation to support performance analysis (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Python) and test planning.
• Exceptional communication skills for technical briefs, stakeholder engagement, and decision support.
• Clearance: Interim Secret required to start; ability to obtain/maintain Secret
• Travel: 10% (including OCONUS).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior-service U.S. Navy experience or direct NAVAIR/NAVSEA systems/test engineering background.
• Domain exposure to AAG, EMALS, ALRE, shipboard control systems, high-energy/linear motor drives, power conversion/distribution, and motion control.
• Experience with Operational Test & Evaluation (OTF), interoperability testing, and Fleet exercises; familiarity with OTR/OTD.
• Tool familiarity: Cameo/MagicDraw, Jira/Confluence, MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, data analytics/statistical tools.
• Certifications: INCOSE CSEP/ESEP, DAU (SE/TE), PMP (plus), or relevant Navy/DoD training.
• Track record serving as technical authority or IPT lead; interest in a Chief Engineer career path.

Why Join
Mission impact: Influence systems that Sailors rely on every day; measurably improve Fleet safety and readiness.
Technical leadership: Set architecture, lead integration/V&V, and shape milestone decisions on major Navy programs.
Growth & collaboration: Work with seasoned engineers and prior-service teammates; mentor others while advancing MBSE and Digital Engineering practices.

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

SAIC is a premier technology integrator providing full life cycle services and solutions in the technical, engineering, intelligence, and enterprise information technology markets. SAIC is Redefining Ingenuity through its deep customer and domain knowledge to enable the delivery of systems engineering and integration offerings for large, complex projects. SAIC's approximately 15,000 employees are driven by integrity and mission focus to serve customers in the U.S. federal government. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For information on the benefits SAIC offers, see .