Summary
CAE Defense & Security is seeking an experienced System Architect to support the development of training capabilities for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) operators. This role will play a key part in shaping the integration of advanced autonomy and training systems within our CCA training programs. The ideal candidate will bring hands-on experience with the Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A9GRA) and a strong background in designing scalable, interoperable solutions that enable effective operator preparation in emerging autonomous mission environments. This role also involves collaborating with software developers, hardware engineers, cyber security and certification authorities to ensure seamless integration of flight dynamics, avionics, graphics, and user interfaces, while also managing scalability, maintainability, and cost. Strong knowledge of realtime systems, simulation theory, and industry standards is essential, along with experience in system modeling (MBSE), performance tuning, and crossdisciplinary project leadership.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Lead the systems architecture design for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) training programs, ensuring alignment with program objectives and evolving mission requirements.
- Apply Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A9GRA) principles to guide the development, integration, and evaluation of autonomous training capabilities.
- Develop and maintain system interface definitions, integration frameworks, and operational concept artifacts that support scalable and interoperable training solutions.
- Collaborate closely with operators, instructors, software developers, and program stakeholders to translate training needs into actionable system design requirements.
- Assess emerging autonomy technologies and determine their applicability to CCA operator training systems.
- Support system-of-systems architectural planning, risk identification, and technical decision-making throughout the training capability lifecycle.
- Ensure architectures adhere to cybersecurity, data governance, and interoperability standards required for government autonomy systems.
- Provide technical leadership during system integration, test, and validation of training capabilities across simulation, live, and blended training environments.
- Develop and maintain system models supporting requirements decomposition, system behaviors, interface definitions, and verification strategies for simulation systems.
- Support trade studies, technology assessments, and system-level design decisions for simulation fidelity, performance, interoperability, and scalability.
- Ensure system architecture aligns with compliance requirements including safety, cybersecurity, interoperability standards, and DoD training system specifications.
- Mentor engineering staff in MBSE best practices, digital model governance, and effective model-based design processes.
- Participate in customer engagements, technical interchange meetings, design reviews, and program planning activities.
- Selects the appropriate technologies and tools that best meet system requirements, considering IRAD, future scalability, sustainability, and cost
- Creates the product line roadmap in compliance with the technology roadmap, reference architectures and functional product roadmaps
- Has awareness and helps coordinate new technology investment and insertion into product line based on customer needs
- Identifies technical risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure simulator reliability and operator safety.
- Stays current with emerging simulation technologies, industry standards, and best practices; recommend and implement process improvements.
- Represents CAE USA at industry technical forums and customer oral presentations.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- Bachelor9s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer or Computer Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Extensive experience (typically 8+ years) in systems engineering for military aircraft, CCA, mission systems, or advanced simulation/training systems.
- Development experience with Autonomous Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA) and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) mission and/or flight autonomy
- Strong proficiency in MBSE practices and tools (such as Cameo/MagicDraw, Rhapsody, SysML).
- Proven ability to lead architecture development for complex, multidisciplinary systems.
- Experience with aircraft system integration, avionics interfaces, or mission system architectures.
- Strong understanding of systems engineering processes, interface control, verification and validation, and configuration management.
- Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, MILSTDs, and training system standards (e.g., AR/VR training environments, DIS/HLA protocols).
- Familiarity with aircraft communication standards (UDP/TCP, MILSTD1553, ARINC)
Preferred Skills
- Master9s degree in Systems Engineering or related discipline
- Experience with enterprise-wide MBSE application on a military aircraft program
- Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) or equivalent (e.g., INCOSE)
- Experience architecting highfidelity flight or mission simulation systems.
- Knowledge of digital engineering ecosystems, model traceability, and integrated digital threads.
- Familiarity with synthetic environments, constructive simulations, or distributed mission operations.
Security Responsibilities
Mustcomplywithall company security and data protection / usage policies and procedures. Personally responsible for proper marking and handling of all information and materials, in any form. Shall not divulge any information, or afford access, to other employees not having a need-to-know. Shall not divulge information outside company without management approval. All government and proprietary information will be accessed and stored electronically on company provided resources.
- Incumbent must be eligible for DoD Personal Security Clearance.
- Due to U.S. Government contract requirements, only U.S. citizens are eligible for this role.
Work Environment
- Duties performed in an office environment and manufacturing facility.
- Must be able to work overtime on andoff-shiftsasrequired.
- The employee is on call 24x7 for the resolution of problems and issues.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Ability to sit for extended periods of time
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time
- Ability to lift 25 lbs. to various heights
Salary
The actual compensation rate is subject to the evaluation of the following factors (but not limited to): the candidate9s work experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and market.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover orcontaina comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that arerequired ofthe employee for their job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
