Senior Principal Systems Engineer Verified today
Position Overview
We are seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to join our growing team in Lanham, MD. This is a senior technical leadership role with system-level authority across multiple programs: owning system architecture, setting technical direction, resolving the most complex cross-cutting issues, and developing the next generation of systems engineering leads.
The ideal candidate brings a record of leading systems engineering on complex space or comparable programs from concept through launch and operations, is trusted by executives, customers, and engineers alike, and thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the technical authority for systems engineering across multiple programs, owning system architecture and technical direction from concept through verification, validation, launch, and on-orbit operations.
- Define and own system architectures and mission concepts, leading trade studies and making and defending key technical decisions in response to customer and internal needs.
- Establish top-level system requirements and govern their allocation, flow-down, and interface control across subsystems, suppliers, and organizations.
- Own technical budgets and margin philosophy (mass, power, link, thermal, schedule) at the program and constellation level, and ensure rigorous tracking across subsystems.
- Drive system-level integration across engineering disciplines (RF, software, mechanical, electrical, GNC, operations) and lead resolution of the most complex cross-cutting technical issues and anomalies.
- Provide technical leadership for proposal and business development efforts, including solution architecture, basis-of-estimate development, and cost/schedule inputs, and represent AST in technical engagements with customers and government partners.
- Serve as senior technical lead for major design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and technical interchange meetings (TIMs), presenting to executive leadership, customers, and independent review boards.
- Lead technical risk management: identify and quantify top program and technical risks, drive mitigation, and advise leadership on risk-informed decisions.
- Define and evolve systems engineering processes, standards, practices, and drive their adoption across the organization.
- Mentor and develop SE leads and engineers, serve as a technical coach across the department, and contribute to hiring and talent growth.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field required; Master's degree or PhD strongly preferred.
Experience: A minimum of 12 years of systems engineering experience, with at least 5 years serving as SE Lead, Chief Engineer, or equivalent on a program of record or flight program, including end-to-end lifecycle experience on at least one program through launch and on-orbit operations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree or PhD in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Experience in space, satellite, or defense programs, ideally satellite communications, phased array, or RF payload systems.
- Experience establishing or leading SE practices and configuration control processes at the program or organizational level.
Soft Skills
- Proven ability to lead and influence without direct authority across cross-functional teams and at the executive level.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to brief and build trust with executive, customer, and government audiences.
- Comfort operating in ambiguity: able to define the path forward and make sound decisions when requirements are incomplete or roles are fluid.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability, with the judgment to balance technical rigor against schedule and cost.
- Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and adapt to changing mission needs.