rincipal Systems Engineer – Space Electronics

Job Description

Principal Systems Engineer - Space Electronics

Location: Fairfax, Virginia (Primary) - Open to CO / NH

Job Type: Full-Time

Positions: 1

Experience Required: 9 - 15 Years

Work Environment

Hybrid: 4 days/week onsite
High-security, mission-critical engineering environment
Cross-functional collaboration across engineering domains

We are seeking a highly accomplished Principal Systems Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced space-based electronic systems and payloads.

This role requires deep expertise in space electronics, systems engineering lifecycle (requirements ? V&V), and multidisciplinary leadership. The candidate will drive end-to-end system development while leading cross-functional teams across electrical, software, FPGA, and mechanical domains.

This is a high-impact leadership role supporting mission-critical programs for DoD, Intelligence Community, and space agencies.

Key Responsibilities

Systems Engineering Leadership

Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in space electronics product development
Own full systems engineering lifecycle (requirements, design, trade studies, V&V)
Define system architecture for RF, processing, networking, and embedded systems
Act as primary technical authority for assigned programs

Technical Execution

Drive development of space-based electronics subsystems and payloads
Work across PCBAs, FPGA firmware, mission software, and embedded systems
Perform system-level analysis, integration, and validation
Ensure compliance with high-reliability and space-environment standards

Program & Stakeholder Management

Partner with program managers on cost, schedule, and execution
Present at technical design reviews (internal + client-facing)
Support proposal development and new business capture
Contribute to R&D and product roadmap strategy

Must-Have Qualifications (Strict)

Bachelor's Degree in STEM (Engineering/Science/Technology/Mathematics)
9+ years of relevant experience
Hands-on experience with space industry product development lifecycle (requirements ? V&V)
Proven experience building space-based electronics subsystems or payloads (MANDATORY)
Experience with complex electronics (PCBAs, FPGA firmware, mission software)
Background in high-reliability / space-environment system design
Proven experience leading engineering teams (not just individual contributor)
Strong systems engineering methodology expertise

Preferred Qualifications (Strong Differentiators)

Master's Degree in STEM
Experience with radiation-hardened / radiation-tolerant electronics
Familiarity with Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ / Versal architectures
Knowledge of VPX (VITA 46 / VITA 65) standards
Hands-on experience in PCB design, schematic capture, signal integrity
Tools: MATLAB, Simulink, Altium, MBSE platforms
Background in RF signal processing

Additional Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen (Mandatory)
Must be willing to work from VA / CO / NH locations
Ability to travel or support onsite program needs

Recruiter Submission Template -

Full Name:

Years of Experience in Space Industry / High-Reliability Systems:

Does the candidate have hands-on experience building space-based electronics subsystems or payloads?

Does the candidate have experience with space product lifecycle (requirements ? V&V)?

Does the candidate have experience with complex electronics (PCBAs / FPGA / mission software)?

Has the candidate led engineering teams (not just contributed)?

Experience with complex electronics:

Experience with high-reliability / space systems:

Leadership Experience: (Team size, role, projects led):

Role in space systems development:

Experience with FPGA / Xilinx / VPX (if any):

Experience with radiation-hardened systems (if any):

Tools Experience (MATLAB / Altium / MBSE / etc.):

Motivation / Reason for Relocation (if not local):

Motivation / Reason for interest in this position:

Contact Number:

Email ID:

LinkedIn Profile URL:

Full Address (Street, City, State, ZIP Code):

Notice Period (in weeks):

Current Work Authorization Status:

Expected Salary:

Are you ready to relocate at your own expense and work onsite in Fairfax, Virginia (Primary) - Open to CO / NH / commute?