Job Description & Details
This is a heavy-duty systems engineering role focused on building complex space, airborne, and terrestrial prototypes for national security applications. You won't just be pushing paper requirements; you'll be actively architecting satellite payloads, laser comms, and advanced sensor systems where failure isn't an option. If you like working on hardware-software integration that actually leaves the atmosphere, this one's worth your time.
What You'll Actually Be Doing
Your day-to-day will revolve around translating high-level customer objectives into concrete hardware and software specifications using Model-Based Systems Engineering. You will spend a good chunk of your time developing, flowing down, and tracking rigorous requirements while maintaining a massive SysML model of the system and its interfaces. Expect to run detailed trade studies, evaluate cost and risk tradeoffs, and lead the charge on verification and validation planning. You'll be collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams daily, so keeping stakeholders aligned while managing technical constraints will be your primary operational hurdle.
The Core Tech Stack
SysML and MBSE tools are the absolute heartbeat of this role, with specific fluency in MagicDraw being a massive differentiator if you want to hit the ground running. You need a solid foundational grasp of how complex mechanical, electrical, and software systems integrate, especially within aerospace or defense constraints. Because you'll be dealing with space payloads and airborne laser systems, familiarity with requirements management tooling and risk mitigation frameworks is non-negotiable.
Interview Expectations
Be ready to walk through a complex trade study you've personally led, specifically how you handled conflicting requirements between hardware and software teams under a tight schedule. The hiring manager is going to test your practical knowledge of SysML by asking you how you model interface definitions and manage requirement traceability matrices when scope creeps. Make sure you can articulate your methodology clearly, as they are looking for someone who can mentor others in model-based practices rather than just building models in a vacuum.
Application Advice
Make sure your resume screams MBSE and SysML right at the top—don't bury your modeling experience under generic systems engineering bullets. Explicitly mention tools like MagicDraw and highlight any specific space, airborne, or defense programs you've worked on to immediately check the domain expertise boxes for the ATS. Since an interim secret clearance is required to start, clearly state your current clearance status if you already have one active.