Principal Systems Engineer

Full-time Contract Position – Englewood, CO

Our Client delivers customer-focused operations and best-of-breed integrations in the aerospace and defense sectors. Through leading-edge technologies and transformative solutions, it has been honored as one of the most innovative U.S. companies in space, a Tier One Superior Supplier for the U.S. Air Force, and one of America’s fastest-growing corporations. The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) team also provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection, and security solutions worldwide. #EngineeringTheFuture

The Company

Our Client’s mission is to stay ahead of the curve, developing solutions today to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. With over 60 years of leadership, they have driven transformative change in the aerospace and defense industry. Their innovative solutions provide connected protection through advanced command, control, and communications platforms, along with capabilities in ISR, cyber, electromagnetic spectrum management, and more, ensuring national security across multiple domains. Dedicated to expanding the industrial base and delivering open architecture platforms, our client plays a crucial role in fostering competition, providing value, and accelerating innovation. Their ability to scale and commitment to open architecture set them apart in driving industry progress.

The Position

The Principal Systems Engineer will play a critical role in a cutting-edge New Aircraft Design Program, leading the development of next-generation military aviation platforms. This position is responsible for driving the design, analysis, testing, and certification of advanced aircraft systems and structures across the full product lifecycle. Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, the Principal Systems Engineer will deliver innovative, high-performance aerospace solutions that meet rigorous safety, efficiency, and mission requirements for the UJTS program and beyond.

Duties & Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and refinement of next-generation military aircraft systems and structures
Drive systems engineering efforts across the full product lifecycle, from concept through production and deployment
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, materials, and manufacturing
Research, design, analyze, test, and certify advanced aerospace systems and components for the UJTS program
Develop complex aerodynamic components, aircraft structures, and integrated systems
Perform technical analysis, modeling, and validation to ensure optimal performance, safety, and efficiency
Support the development of cutting-edge mission payloads, electronic systems, and highly integrated aircraft solutions
Ensure designs meet program requirements, regulatory standards, and certification criteria
Contribute to innovation in aircraft design, processes, and technologies across military and aerospace platforms

Supervisory Responsibilities

No immediate direct reports

Skills & Qualifications

Bachelor's of Science degree in System Engineering or related discipline and typically 14 or more years of relevant experience
Demonstrated knowledge of engineering principles and practices
Progressive experience working in multi-disciplinary design and development teams
Advanced understanding of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation; systems design, systems integration, technical risk identification and management strategies, and Verification and Validation (V&V) principles

Preferred Experience

Experience with requirements management and system modelling tools, such as DOORS, Rhapsody, NoMagic, MATLAB
Advanced Knowledge of industry-standard mechanical design principles, to include, but not limited to requirements management, Model Based System Engineering (MBSE)
Experience or certification in INCOSE standards
Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry Progressive experience leading baseline definition and maturation in a complex development setting, including the use of high impact trade studies and other measures
Ability to establish and track key Technical Performance Measurements (TPM)

Work Environment

On-site position located in Englewood, Colorado
This is a 6-month contract

Compensation

Position offers an hourly W2 Rate between $115 - $120, with additional benefits

Requirements

Because this client is a Federal Government Contractor performing services for the DoD, US Air Force, NASA and others, they do require US, Non-Dual Citizenship

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Experience or certification in INCOSE standards (Preferred)

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This company is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.