Senior Systems Engineer

At AV, we are at the forefront of developing next-generation RF technologies that power critical defense and national security missions. Our team tackles complex, high-impact challenges in communications, radar, telemetry capture, and signals intelligence. We're looking for driven, creative, and systems-minded engineers to help design and integrate cutting-edge solutions for our customers.

The Senior Systems Engineer will serve as a technical leader within multi-disciplinary program teams, responsible for guiding system architecture, integration strategy, and technical execution across the program lifecycle. This position requires a broad technical foundation across electrical, software, mechanical, and RF disciplines, combined with strong systems thinking, technical leadership, and problem-solving skills. The Senior Systems Engineer will collaborate directly with program leadership, engineering teams, and customers to define system architectures, manage requirements, drive technical risk reduction, oversee integration efforts, and lead system validation activities.

CITIZENSHIP & CLEARANCE

* We can only accept applicants that are US Citizens.
* An active (or active within the last 2 years) Secret or higher level of DoD security clearance is desired but not required.

JOB OVERVIEW

* Serve as the technical lead or system owner on complex RF system development programs, ensuring system designs meet performance, schedule, and risk objectives.
* Collaborate with program leadership, customers, and engineering teams to define system-level requirements, use cases, architectures, and interface specifications.
* Lead the development and maintenance of system architectures, block diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), and performance models.
* Develop and maintain Systems Engineering Management Plans (SEMPs), Verification Cross Reference Matrices (VCRMs), and Requirements Verification Traceability Matrices (RVTMs).
* Manage system requirements and verification traceability throughout the program lifecycle using tools such as Cameo or Jama.
* Provide technical oversight and guidance to RF, software, electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure alignment with system objectives.
* Plan and lead system-level integration and test efforts, troubleshooting system-level issues, and validating subsystems in lab and field environments.
* Facilitate and lead design reviews, technical interchange meetings, trade studies, and risk management activities.
* Mentor and support junior systems engineers and contribute to the continuous improvement of systems engineering processes and best practices.
* Support technical proposal development, customer briefings, and program capture efforts.
* Ensure solutions are aligned with defense industry standards, cybersecurity requirements, and export control regulations.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

* Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related technical discipline; master's degree preferred.
* 5+ years of relevant systems engineering experience in defense, aerospace, RF systems, or a related high-reliability, complex systems environment.
* Demonstrated experience leading system definition, integration, and verification activities on complex technical programs.

REQUIRED SKILLS

* Strong understanding of systems engineering processes, principles, and tools (INCOSE CSEP or equivalent knowledge a plus).
* Experience serving as a technical lead or system integrator on multi-disciplinary product development teams.
* Solid technical foundation in one or more areas: RF systems, digital signal processing, software, embedded systems, mechanical systems, or systems modeling.
* Proficiency in requirements management and MBSE tools (e.g., Cameo, Jama).
* Excellent communication, technical documentation, and organizational skills.
* Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

PREFERRED SKILLS

* Hands-on experience leading system integration and test in lab and field environments.
* Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools.
* Familiarity with government defense programs, proposal development, and classified program execution.
* Background in RF or communications systems design, analysis, and integration.
* Experience leading risk management and trade study activities to inform technical decisions.

SALARY RANGE: $125,000 - $170,000

* BlueHalo, an AV company pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several factors including, but not limited to, level of position, job responsibilities, geographic location, scope of relevant work experience, educational background, certifications, contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements, alignment with local internal equity as well as alignment with market data.
* Our compensation package also includes components designed to support employees' total well-being, which should be considered when evaluating our competitive benefits package. These benefits include health insurance, life insurance, disability, company holiday and paid time off, parental leave, 401(k) company match and contributions, professional development/training reimbursements, and other work/life programs.