Systems Engineer

Job Title: Systems EngineerJob Description

We are seeking an experienced Principal Systems Engineer to join our team, supporting advanced space systems and mission payloads within the C4ISR Systems business area. In this role, you will work as an individual contributor within a multidisciplinary engineering team, developing solutions for complex space payloads and space-qualified hardware. This position provides exposure across the complete systems engineering lifecycle and supports key customer and program milestones.

Responsibilities

• Perform systems engineering activities throughout the full product development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, decomposition, derivation, and allocation.

• Conduct system modeling and simulation, system architecture, design, and development.

• Handle integration, verification, and validation (IV&V) and conduct environmental testing.

• Support hardware integration and test equipment activities for complex space systems.

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including Systems, Electrical, RF, Software, Mechanical, and Test Engineering.

• Support development, integration, troubleshooting, and verification of space payload solutions.

• Participate in key technical reviews, program milestones, and customer-facing engineering activities.

• Manage multiple technical priorities in a fast-paced engineering environment.

Essential Skills

• Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline with 8+ years of relevant experience, or Masters degree with 6+ years, or Ph.D. with 4+ years.

• Demonstrated experience performing systems engineering across the development lifecycle.

• Experience with requirements analysis, decomposition, derivation, systems modeling/simulation, system design and development, IV&V, and environmental testing.

• Experience with test equipment and hardware integration.

• Experience working effectively on multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple technical activities.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance.

• Experience with Software Defined Radios (SDRs) and/or radar systems.

• RF domain knowledge.

• Previous experience developing or integrating space-qualified hardware or space payloads.

• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) experience using MagicDraw or comparable tools.

• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and tools.

• Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Work Environment

This group develops advanced electronics supporting missions across air, land, sea, and space. Engineers have the opportunity to work on challenging technologies with direct mission impact while collaborating across highly technical, multidisciplinary teams. The Space Systems Product Line develops high-reliability electronics and mission systems supporting civil, commercial, and national-security space missions. Programs include advanced processing solutions, RF and optical payloads, and other technologies supporting complex space missions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Manassas, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $105.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Manassas,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 2026.

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.