Systems Engineer

Senior Lead Systems Engineer

We are seeking a Senior Lead Systems Engineer to drive system architecture definition, requirements development, and end-to-end integration and verification across a portfolio of complex, interconnected systems. In this role, you ensure system-level consistency, performance, and compliance with program objectives while coordinating technical execution across multidisciplinary engineering teams. You will operate in regulated or mission-critical environments, applying strong expertise in interface control and lifecycle systems engineering, and leading technical execution in schedule-driven programs. Experience supporting government or defense-related programs is highly desirable, along with the ability to see products through from initial design to manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end systems engineering activities across multiple related systems, including architecture definition, requirements development, interface management, risk assessment, verification planning, and participation in formal design reviews such as SRR, PDR, CDR, PRR, and TRR.

• Establish, decompose, and maintain system-level requirements with full traceability to customer specifications, derived constraints, verification methods, and subsystem allocations.

• Coordinate technical execution across internal teams and external partners to ensure a consistent system architecture, controlled interfaces, aligned schedules, and delivery of verified, compliant system capabilities.

• Develop and maintain key system artifacts, including system block diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), data flow diagrams, verification matrices, integration strategies, and detailed test plans.

• Lead and facilitate technical interchange meetings (TIMs), cross-functional design reviews, peer reviews, and supplier technical assessments with a strong focus on verification readiness and system completeness.

• Collaborate closely with software, hardware, test engineering, manufacturing, configuration management, and program management teams to ensure cohesive system behavior and robust lifecycle verification.

• Provide leadership in configuration control, requirements management, and verification processes, supporting continuous improvement initiatives and adherence to industry quality standards such as AS9100 or equivalent.

• Mentor and guide junior engineers, contributing to the growth and maturity of systems engineering practices across the organization.

• Support system architecture definition, decomposition, and configuration-controlled updates throughout the hardware and software lifecycle.

• Manage program and engineering workflows using tools such as Jira, including sprint planning, backlog grooming, reporting, and cross-team coordination.

• Apply a strong understanding of embedded systems, hardware/software integration, and interface control to drive data-driven decision-making across complex system interactions.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.

• Several years of experience in systems engineering, with strong proficiency in full lifecycle systems engineering for embedded systems.

• Ability to operate effectively in fixed-price, schedule-driven environments while supporting Agile development practices.

• Hands-on experience defining, refining, and maintaining traceable requirements baselines, including system modeling, analysis, and verification aligned to program commitments.

• Demonstrated capability to support system architecture definition, decomposition, design reviews, and configuration-controlled updates throughout the hardware/software lifecycle.

• Strong background in systems engineering, including requirements development and interface control for complex systems.

• Electrical or hardware background supporting embedded and integrated system development.

• Experience working with internal and external stakeholders to align technical execution and program objectives.

• Solid understanding of embedded systems, hardware/software integration, and complex system interactions.

• Ability to use Jira or similar tools for managing program and engineering workflows, including Agile practices such as sprint planning and backlog grooming.

• Ability to obtain a security clearance, with strong professional judgment suitable for work on sensitive or mission-critical programs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting government or defense-related research, development, or acquisition programs.

• Familiarity with requirements management tools such as DOORS or similar platforms.

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams and aligning Agile development with fixed-price contractual deliverables.

• Knowledge of environmental qualification standards and testing methods, such as MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-810.

• Experience with configuration management and adherence to industry quality standards, including AS9100 or equivalent.

• Ability to see products through the full lifecycle from design to manufacturing, including integration and test.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills for leading technical interchange meetings, cross-functional reviews, and supplier assessments.

• Interest in mentoring and developing junior engineers and contributing to continuous improvement of systems engineering practices.

Work Environment

You will work on cutting-edge space communication devices and programs supporting naval and other defense-related contracts, contributing to equipment used in mission-critical installations. The role is currently 100% onsite due to the nature of the work and the sensitivity of the projects. The environment is primarily cubicle-based office space with manufacturing and integration areas located in the same facility, enabling close collaboration between design and build teams. The organization is stable, with multiple recent awards and is moving into a brand-new space, offering a modern and well-equipped workplace. The team culture is balanced, with some colleagues enjoying social activities such as group happy hours outside of work and others focusing more on family time, creating an inclusive environment that supports different lifestyles.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Melbourne, FL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $84.13/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Melbourne, FL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 29, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Melbourne,FL.

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.