Principal Systems Engineer Jobs

Principal Systems Engineer

The Principal Systems Engineer will lead complex engineering efforts in support of major U.S. Navy Surface Combatant programs including Aegis, SSDS, FFG, LUSV, and USCG platforms. The role requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, science, business, or a technical field (or a qualifying substitution of experience) and at least 10 years of recent experience in Surface Combatant Weapons Systems. This position demands a high level of strategic and technical expertise in systems engineering, design, development, installation, and integration, as well as proven leadership experience overseeing multidisciplinary teams.

Find out if this opportunity is a good fit by reading all of the information that follows below.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Review and process Ship Change Documents (SCDs) to ensure alignment with system requirements and engineering baselines.
• Interpret and coordinate Technical Data Package (TDP) elements, identifying integration requirements for Link systems, Voice Radio Systems, and other communications components.
• Lead system audits to assess compliance, readiness, and adherence to engineering and configuration management standards.
• Prepare and revise technical drawings and engineering documentation using AutoCAD.
• Evaluate Interface Control Documents (ICDs) against system baselines to identify gaps and support integration efforts.
• Coordinate with stakeholders, program teams, and government personnel to ensure engineering deliverables align with performance objectives.
• Guide engineering activities across teams, ensuring alignment with contract requirements and technical priorities.
• Communicate effectively across technical and non‑technical stakeholders, clearly conveying project updates, risks, and solutions.
• Provide mentorship and technical oversight to junior engineers and team members.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Experience, Education, and Licensure

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, scientific, business, or technical discipline and 10 years of recent experience with Surface Combatant Weapons Systems; OR

• 12 years of Surface Combatant‑related experience, or 10 years of recent SSDS experience, may substitute for the degree.

• Active DoD Secret security clearance required.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Demonstrated expertise in: combat and weapons systems engineering, system interfaces and configuration management, system/network integration and distributed architectures, fiber distribution and cable plant configuration, development and interpretation of wiring diagrams and schematics, interface coordination and technical documentation analysis, strong leadership and team management skills, effective communication, coordination, and presentation skills, ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast‑paced environment, proficiency in AutoCAD, Microsoft Visio, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Oversee 8‑10 personnel.

Work Environment

• The work environmental characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Travel

• May require some travel.

Work Authorization / Security Clearance

• DoD Secret or higher security clearance, or the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.

Additional Qualifying Factors

• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• In addition, a satisfactory background screening, negative drug test, positive references and proof of identity and legal authorization to work in the United States are required.