Principal Systems Architect – Remote Sensing Systems

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Alabama, +4 more states.

📋 Description

• Act as the principal technical authority for space system architecture within the Special Programs division, delivering vision and guidance for mission-oriented system concepts.

• Oversee comprehensive architecture development for advanced space-based sensing systems, from the formulation of mission concepts through to preliminary design, ensuring alignment with customer goals and operational needs.

• Lead system-level trade space exploration among competing architectures, assessing performance, cost, schedule, and risk to guide program decisions at the highest levels.

• Develop and manage the overarching system architecture baseline, encompassing CONOPs, system-level requirements, interface definitions, and key performance parameters (KPPs).

• Offer authoritative technical direction on RF system design, sensing system performance, and space segment architecture to program teams and leadership.

• Guide and mentor a team of systems engineers, promoting technical excellence, rigorous engineering practices, and a culture of innovation.

• Represent the program in senior-level technical reviews, customer meetings, and government forums; serve as the principal technical advocate for architecture decisions.

• Identify and address complex, cross-cutting technical challenges that affect multiple subsystems and program boundaries.

• Collaborate with business development and capture teams to influence new program opportunities, contribute to proposals, and formulate technical strategies for upcoming missions.

• Stay informed about the larger national security space environment, emerging threats, and changing customer requirements to guide long-term architecture strategy.

• Work closely with government clients and mission partners to translate high-level operational requirements into technically feasible and actionable system architectures.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.

• 12+ years of progressive experience in systems engineering or architecture within the aerospace, defense, or national security sectors.

• Proven experience in leading the architecture and design of complex space or airborne sensing systems from concept through CDR or beyond.

• Experience in architecting space-based RF sensing or surveillance systems, with a robust understanding of the entire sensing chain from aperture to exploitation.

• Strong familiarity with Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) and/or Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) processing architectures and their implications for system-level design.

• Experience in UHF-band system design, including propagation characteristics, antenna aperture trades, and ionospheric effects.

• Extensive expertise in RF system performance analysis, including link budgets, radar system design principles, and space segment performance modeling.

• Demonstrated success in leading technical teams and making architecture decisions within a matrixed, program-driven environment.

• Experience directly engaging with DoD or Intelligence Community customers at a senior technical level.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and executive audiences.

• Active TS//SCI security clearance.

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance.

• Paid parental leave.

• Short and long-term disability coverage.

• 401(k) plan with a company match of up to 5%.

• Education Support Program.

• Stock Options available for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week).

• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on scheduled weekly hours, plus up to 14 company-paid holidays.

• Employees may qualify for additional benefits and bonuses based on the company’s intention to reward individual contributions.