Sr. Systems Engineer

Description

Aitech Defense Systems is renowned for its innovation in rugged embedded systems, designed to operate reliably in the challenging environments of military, defense, aerospace, and space applications. Founded in 1983, Aitech has a rich history of pioneering advancements such as the world’s first conduction-cooled MIL-SPEC VMEbus board and has continually evolved its product line to include state-of-the-art SBCs, GPGPU-based AI applications, and advanced cybersecurity for mission-critical systems.

Joining us means you’ll be working at the forefront of technology with projects that span across land, sea, air, and space, supporting some of the top prime contractors in the industry. This opportunity will allow you to contribute to groundbreaking projects and push the boundaries of embedded computing technology.

We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Systems Engineer to lead the end-to-end development, integration, and delivery of embedded aerospace and defense systems. This role is deeply involved in both new product development and production/sustainment, supporting complex programs across space and military platforms. You will work at the intersection of technical execution, program delivery, and cross-functional collaboration to drive mission-critical outcomes.

This is a hands-on leadership role—guiding cross-functional teams through major design milestones, interfacing with internal and external stakeholders, and ensuring system-level performance, compliance, and delivery.

Key Responsibilities

> Technical Leadership & System Development

• Lead cross-functional teams of Systems Engineers, Software Engineers, Operations personnel, and Program Managers in the development and delivery of embedded systems for aerospace and defense applications.
• Define and manage system-level requirements, develop system architectures, and author/maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
• Oversee and execute system integration, verification, validation (V&V), and qualification activities.
• Drive and manage key lifecycle milestones including:
• System Requirements Review (SRR)
• Preliminary Design Review (PDR)
• Critical Design Review (CDR)
• Test Readiness Review (TRR)
• Production Readiness Review (PRR)
• Stage of Involvement (SOI) (where applicable)

> Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership

• Work closely with stakeholders across Engineering, Finance, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Operations to align technical development with program and business goals.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and test teams during production and sustainment to ensure system performance and quality.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and technical contributors across project phases.

> Project & Program Management

• Partner with Program Managers and PMO to develop and maintain project schedules, resource plans, and budgets.
• Lead and participate in Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), Engineering Management Reviews (EMRs), and customer reviews to report progress, resolve issues, and ensure alignment.
• Ensure full traceability of system requirements and interfaces to technical baselines and deliverables.
• Proactively identify, track, and mitigate technical risks and opportunities.

> Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance engineering quality, efficiency, and reliability across programs.
• Implement tools, processes, and best practices aligned with industry standards (e.g., AS9100, CMMI, DO-178/254, MIL-STDs).

> Business Support & Stakeholder Engagement

• Contribute to business development efforts by supporting proposal preparation, technical volumes, and customer briefings.
• Collaborate with Product Management and Business Development to provide input into long-term technology roadmaps and architecture planning.
• Support white papers, RFIs, and trade studies for new business capture.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for internal departments and external customers.

The expected annual salary range for this role is $135,000 - $155,000 a year. 

Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. 

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, or related technical field.
• 6+ years of experience in aerospace/defense systems engineering roles with a focus on embedded or mission-critical systems.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional technical teams through full development lifecycles.
• Strong knowledge of requirements engineering, systems integration, and verification/validation (V&V).
• Hands-on experience managing systems documentation and traceability, including ICDs, SRS, and test plans.
• Familiarity with tools such as DOORS, Cameo, Jama, or MBSE platforms; and with standards like DO-178/254, MIL-STD,ARP 4754A/4761 or NASA/ESA requirements
• Knowledge of aerospace safety assessment and systems development processes.
• Expertise with aerospace, defense, and space communication protocols.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical risks and lead cross-functional collaboration effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of conveying complex technical concepts clearly.
• Experience supporting proposal development, customer interactions, and technical documentation.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with a proven track record driving continuous improvement.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• This is an on-site position.

> Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering or Systems Engineering.
• Active DoD Secret or Top Secret clearance.
• Experience in both development and sustaining/support roles for aerospace platforms.
• Certifications: INCOSE CSEP, PMP, Six Sigma, or equivalent.
• Familiarity with Agile/iterative development methodologies and EVM practices.