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
dditional 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?