Position SummaryKraken Kinetics is seeking a Systems Engineer II/III to support the definition, decomposition, tracking, and verification of system-level requirements for advanced defense products. This role will serve as a critical bridge between customer needs, internal product objectives, engineering execution, test planning, and production transition.
The Systems Engineer II/III will help mature Kraken's systems engineering practices by developing requirements structures, interface documentation, verification matrices, and technical baselines that allow cross-functional teams to move quickly with clarity. This role is ideal for an engineer who can bring structure to ambiguous technical problems while remaining practical, collaborative, and execution-focused.
Roles & Responsibilities- Capture, decompose, and manage system-level requirements derived from customer needs, internal product goals, SOWs, standards, and engineering constraints.
- Develop and maintain requirements traceability matrices, verification matrices, interface control documents, and related technical artifacts.
- Work with mechanical, electrical, firmware, test, and production teams to ensure requirements are clear, testable, and actionable.
- Support architecture definition, trade studies, technical risk assessment, and system-level decision-making.
- Coordinate with test engineering to ensure verification methods are defined and results are traceable to requirements.
- Participate in design reviews, test readiness reviews, production readiness reviews, and failure investigations.
- Identify requirement gaps, conflicts, assumptions, and risks early and drive resolution with stakeholders.
- Support development of compliance documentation, verification evidence, and customer-facing technical packages.
- Help establish systems engineering processes, templates, review practices, and documentation standards.
- Mentor junior systems engineers and contribute to stronger cross-functional engineering execution.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- 3+ years of experience in systems engineering, product development, requirements management, verification planning, or complex technical program execution.
- Experience developing, decomposing, and managing technical requirements.
- Familiarity with requirements traceability, interface control, verification planning, and design review processes.
- Ability to work effectively across mechanical, electrical, firmware, test, production, and program teams.
- Strong technical communication skills and ability to translate ambiguous needs into actionable engineering work.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities and incomplete information.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience in defense, aerospace, robotics, electronics, weapons systems, autonomous systems, or other high-reliability product environments.
- Familiarity with MIL-STDs, safety-critical systems, environmental qualification, or compliance-driven development.
- Experience with requirements management tools, configuration-controlled documentation systems, or structured verification workflows.
- Experience developing interface control documents, verification plans, compliance matrices, or system architecture documentation.
- Experience supporting test planning, failure analysis, production transition, or customer technical reviews.
- Experience mentoring junior engineers or leading systems engineering workstreams.
- Experience in a small or rapidly growing engineering organization.
Benefits included:
- Generous PTO policy
- Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents).
- Vision & dental (100% company-paid)
- Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid)
- Generous 401(k) retirement plan
- Company-paid life insurance
- Great teammates and well stocked snacks
LIFE IN MOORE COUNTY, NC (PINEHURST AREA)Kraken Kinetics is based in Moore County, North Carolina, home to Pinehurst, a nationally recognized destination offering an exceptional quality of life.
Employees benefit from a low cost of living, minimal congestion, and a strong sense of community, with easy access to larger metropolitan areas, including Raleigh-Durham.
Whether you're looking to accelerate your career or put down long-term roots, the Pinehurst area offers a compelling alternative to traditional tech and defense hubs.
We are committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates.
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