10+ years of systems engineering experience, specifically in requirements management and risk identification.
Experience with first-of-kind hardware or in extreme environments is highly preferred.
Background in energy, power, or heavy industrial sectors is strongly preferred.
Technical generalist proficiency across mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering disciplines.
Ability to independently determine relevant codes and standards for new designs.
Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills, thriving in fast-paced environments.
Effective communication skills for collaboration with engineers and technicians.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
Responsibilities
Own system-level requirements and traceability from top-level targets down to subsystem specs.
Identify applicable codes, standards, and regulations for evolving system designs and advise on compliance.
Lead formal risk identification and tracking, maintaining risk registers and driving mitigations.
Manage interface definitions between subsystems to ensure early conflict resolution.
Support electrical system design reviews with knowledge of industrial electrical issues.
Split work between desk analysis and hands-on shop floor involvement, including hardware inspection and troubleshooting.
Synthesize specialist inputs and identify knowledge gaps for effective guidance during project development.
Support design, gate, and test planning reviews with structured analysis and clear acceptance criteria.
Benefits
Equitable compensation and stock options for all employees.
Competitive benefits package.
Full Job Description
Job Description
We are seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to join the Fourth Power Engineering team. You will provide cross-cutting systems engineering support across our technology development programs, ensuring requirements, interfaces, risks, and safety concerns are identified and resolved across disciplines.
This is a full-time, exempt role.
Location: Bedford, MA and Middleton, MA
Your Role
Own system-level requirements and traceability from top-level targets down to subsystem specs across mechanical, electrical, chemical, and controls domains.
Identify applicable codes, standards, and regulations (e.g., NEC, NFPA, ASME, OSHA) for evolving system designs and advise engineering leads on compliance.
Lead formal risk identification and tracking (FMEA, HAZOP, fault tree, or equivalent), maintain risk registers, and drive mitigations to closure.
Manage interface definitions between subsystems and ensure cross-discipline interactions are captured and conflicts resolved early.
Support electrical system design reviews with practical knowledge of industrial electrical concerns including grounding, ground fault propagation, fuse coordination, protective coordination, cable routing, and power quality.
Split time between desk-based analysis and hands-on work on the shop floor, including inspecting hardware, supporting test campaigns, and troubleshooting in a lab environment.
Synthesize specialist inputs across knowledge domains, ask the right questions, and identify gaps where you are not the subject matter expert.
Support design reviews, gate reviews, and test planning with structured analysis and clear acceptance criteria.
Qualifications
10+ years of systems engineering experience with demonstrated depth in formal requirements management, risk identification, and interface control.
Experience in extreme environments or with first-of-kind hardware strongly preferred.
Prior energy, power, or heavy industrial experience strongly preferred.
Proficient as a technical generalist across mechanical, electrical, and chemical engineering disciplines.
Proficient in independently determining which codes and standards apply to a new design context.
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with fellow engineers and technicians.
BS degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
Fourth Power is committed to offering equitable compensation, stock options, and a competitive benefits package to all employees.
