Systems Engineer

This Systems Engineer role focuses on supporting unmanned, manned, and optionally piloted aircraft platforms, as well as unmanned ground vehicles. You will work across the full lifecycle of complex aerospace and defense systems, from initial concept and requirements definition through design, integration, test, and deployment. The position combines systems requirements development, architecture and interface design, analytical modeling, and hands-on test planning and execution in a dynamic, highly technical environment., * Analyze customer and stakeholder needs to develop, decompose, derive, and allocate requirements to system and subsystem elements.

• Develop system architectures for new and existing aircraft and unmanned ground vehicle systems, ensuring alignment with mission and customer objectives.
• Create and maintain system design documentation, including system schematics, interface control documents (ICDs), and system/subsystem interface definitions.
• Utilize and maintain existing analytical models and develop new models to support system design, trade studies, and performance assessments.
• Conduct trade studies and perform design research on core engineering concepts to determine optimal requirements, architectures, and design approaches.
• Plan, develop, and document test strategies, test plans, test procedures, and test reports based on requirements and system architecture.
• Develop detailed test cases directly from requirements documentation to verify and validate system and subsystem performance.
• Lead and conduct testing activities, including integration and test (I&T), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), and operational test execution as applicable.
• Ensure clear traceability between requirements, design, implementation, and test results, understanding and managing the full V-model lifecycle from left (definition and design) to right (integration and test).
• Participate in planning, design, integration, testing, and deployment of moderately complex engineered systems and software to ensure conformance with functional specifications and customer definitions.
• Work closely with the Software Engineering team to develop software system requirements and test requirements that align with overall system needs.
• Adhere to structured and defined development processes, including formal design and review milestones such as Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR).
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including electrical, mechanical, and aerospace engineers to ensure cohesive system designs and interfaces.
• Support integration activities for aircraft electrical systems, subsystems, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) components.
• Use lifecycle and requirements management tools (such as DOORS, Cameo, Atlassian toolsets, and Requirements Yogi) to manage requirements, architecture, and traceability.
• Contribute technical leadership, providing clear communication, analytical insight, and decision support throughout all phases of the project.
• Take ownership of assigned work, driving tasks to completion with a strong sense of urgency and results orientation.

• Bachelor's or master's degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering.
• 5-7 years of industry experience in systems engineering, or 3-5 years of experience for candidates based in Round Rock, Oklahoma City, or Sacramento where additional training resources are available.
• Experience developing system requirements and system architectures in collaboration with a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Proven cradle-to-grave systems engineering experience, including involvement in requirements definition, system design, integration, and test.
• Experience working with both sides of the V-model, with a strong understanding of how early requirements and design decisions relate to integration, verification, and validation activities.
• Hands-on experience in the development of interface control documents (ICDs) and system/subsystem interface definitions.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute tests, including development of test plans, test cases, and test reports tied to system requirements.
• Experience within the Defense and/or Aerospace industry.
• Direct experience with aircraft systems; experience with unmanned aircraft systems (UAVs) is strongly preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD Secret Clearance or higher, if required.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex technical information and make sound engineering decisions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.
• Demonstrated technical leadership capabilities and the ability to work in a self-directed manner.
• Results-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership, urgency, and drive to meet project goals.
• Hands-on experience in test and integration (I&T), particularly for aircraft and embedded systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles is a strong plus.
• Experience in aircraft electrical systems and exposure to electrical schematics.
• Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) test environments.
• Experience with requirements and architecture tools such as DOORS and Cameo.
• Experience with Atlassian tools (such as Jira and Confluence) for collaboration, configuration management, and workflow tracking.
• Familiarity with Requirements Yogi or similar requirements management plugins.
• Experience supporting embedded software development teams, particularly in test and integration roles.
• Experience participating in and supporting formal design reviews such as Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR).
• Exposure to operational test execution for aircraft or UAV systems.
• Experience working with structured development processes in defense and aerospace programs.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type

This role operates within a collaborative aerospace and defense engineering environment, supporting advanced aircraft and unmanned systems. Preferred work locations include Round Rock (TX), Oklahoma City (OK), and the Sacramento/Roseville (CA) area, with some roles also available in Dallas (TX). Candidates should expect approximately 25-50% travel, depending on their home site and proximity to test ranges and customer locations. Sites with active testing, such as Oklahoma City and Tehachapi, typically require less travel beyond visits to customer sites and test ranges, while locations without on-site testing, such as Round Rock and Sacramento, may require more frequent travel to support integration and test activities. In Sacramento, work may be conducted in both a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) and a traditional engineering facility, providing exposure to secure program environments. Candidates with stronger test and integration (I&T) backgrounds are, At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through: * Hiring diverse talent * Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection * Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes * Ensuring growth opportunities for our people Actalent is an equal opportunity employer. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC-with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day. Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com. Compensation:$124,800 - $197,600 / yr