Lead Aerospace Payload Systems Engineer

Our client is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key contributions to lasers for atmospheric sensing, laser communications, and lidar sensors for NASA, DoD, and other aerospace customers. They are looking for an experienced Aerospace Payload Systems Engineer to join their R&D team in Herndon, Virginia.

• Work in cross-functional teams with program managers, scientists, and engineers to develop new technologies and laser systems for military and space applications
  
• System level oversight of product development including review and approval of system and subsystem requirements, decomposition of requirements and allocation to system, subsystem, and component levels
  
• Reduce customer specifications and technical governing documents into design and test requirements, track compliance and verification through design, assembly, integration, and test completion
  
• Manage requirements baselines including traceability between system, subsystem, and component specifications through a formal requirements management process
  
• Lead development of internal and external interfaces through a formal interface management process
  
• Perform technology assessments and trade studies
  
• Conduct risk assessments and analyses
  
• Lead investigations and develop solutions to technical problems
  
• Lead the development of test processes, test equipment designs, test configurations, and systems integration 
  
• Design and support the execution of system and subsystem verification testing
  
• Support bid and proposal efforts and assist in the development of new business
  

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or optics, with a master's degree preferred
  
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience with a preference for prior experience developing systems for military or space applications
  
• Experience in Systems Engineering with an emphasis on requirements development, test planning, test documentation, and systems integration, verification, and validation
  
• Experience developing and managing system and subsystem requirements flowdown
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead the implementation of systems engineering best practices and tools from the ground up
  
• Experience with systems engineering and requirements management software tools including model-based systems engineering (MBSE)
  
• Ability to effectively communicate technical results and report problems through written and/or graphical formats
  
• Experience with space-based and/or electro-optical hardware is a plus
  
• U.S. citizenship is required
  
• Hold or can acquire a Secret or Top-Secret Clearance preferred