Principal Systems Engineer - SIL

The ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area is a leader in ISR and aviation, it is a leading prime manned and unmanned aircraft systems integrator for innovative, high-performance ISR and aviation systems. Its end-to-end Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities encompass design, integration, test, certification, ground/flight training and complete logistics support. IAS tailors solutions to customer cost, performance, and schedule requirements and designs to consistently exceed expectations – with an unrivaled record of on time and on (or under) budget deliveries.

SNC has led thoughtful and disruptive change in the aerospace and defense industry for the past 60 years and now, we’re applying this tenacity and expertise to the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) mission. Join the SNC-led SAOC team and be a part of exciting and meaningful work to modernize and deliver the next-generation SAOC aircraft trusted by the President, Secretary of Defense and Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to ensure continued critical command, control and communication during national emergencies. If you’re passionate about building the airborne command post of the future, consider SNC for your next mission. Learn more about NC3 and SAOC here.

Are you a bold thinker? We dream big at SNC—advocating the exploration of space, keeping service members safe, and creating the systems that keep our world connected and thriving. Join our team!
As a Systems Engineer, you will apply broad expertise across requirements development, system architecture, integration, and Verification & Validation (V&V). You will support the design, execution, and analysis of testing within our Systems Integration Lab (SIL), ensuring that hardware, software, and interface components integrate seamlessly and meet performance expectations. Your role includes developing and managing test requirements, evaluating component pedigree and configuration effectivities, and ensuring system baselines remain coherent and traceable throughout the lifecycle.
You will engage in technical planning, risk management, and integration activities, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to ensure system readiness and mission success. Strong leadership, communication, and coordination skills are essential, enabling you to drive innovation, mentor fellow engineers, and uphold the highest standards of engineering excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary systems engineering activities across IPTs and organizational boundaries.
• Plan and coordinate systems design and requirement development from early PDR through CDR, followed by test and verification activities.
• Work effectively with incomplete or evolving requirements, establishing structure and technical direction.
• Own cross IPT requirements integration, ensuring completeness, consistency, traceability, verifiability, and correct allocation to systems and subsystems.
• Drive systems engineering planning and execution across internal engineering teams, external organizations, and subcontractors.
• Develop and maintain systems architectures and technical baselines, including change and configuration control.
• Develop Statements of Work and technical requirements for subcontractors.
• Create and manage CDRLs and develop technical data deliverables.
• Translate program level objectives into executable technical plans and engineering activities.
• Facilitate technical reviews, working groups, and formal engineering reviews.
• Transform system designs and requirements into an operational lab environment, including test design, integration readiness, and verification methods.
• Operate as the technical integration lead with hands on integration of complex hardware, software, networks, communications, and test systems within the SIL.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system level integration issues, coordinate root cause analysis, and drive corrective actions.
• Mentor engineers, foster innovation, and uphold engineering excellence.