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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Systems Engineer (Onsite) - **Company:** RTX - **Location:** Richardson, TX, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $107,500.0 - $204,500.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Configuration Management, Code Coverage, Decision Support Systems, Rhapsody, Verification and Validation (Software), Systems Modeling Language, Systems Architecture, System Testing, Systems Integration, System-level Testing - **Published:** July 10, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.juju.com/job/00000000gf3rzf ## About the Role + Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 8 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and minimum 5 years of experience + **Active and transferable U.S. DoD Top Secret Security Clearance is required prior to start date.** + **U.S. Citizen - U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract** + Extensive experience in requirements development, system architecture, and complex system integration + Deep knowledge of verification and validation methodologies and documentation practices + Demonstrated technical leadership on large, multi-disciplinary engineering programs + Strong communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills. + In-depth experience with mission communication systems + Proven experience performing system testing and producing associated documentation (e.g., test plans, procedures, and results) Qualifications We Prefer: + Active Top Secret Security Clearance (TS/SCI eligibility preferred) + PhD in a relevant engineering discipline + Proficiency with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and SysML-based modeling (e.g., Cameo, Rhapsody) INCOSE CSEP or similar certification. + Experience with risk management frameworks and formal configuration management processes + Prior leadership of large-scale programs or cross-functional engineering teams ## Description **Strategic Defense Solutions** is seeking a **Principal Systems Engineer** to drive technical execution and engineering excellence across advanced mission-communication programs with real-world operational impact. This role is ideal for a proven technical leader who understands that disciplined systems engineering-paired with strong mentorship and vision-directly enables mission success and ensures our customers' highest-priority capabilities are delivered with rigor and precision. In this position, you will shape technical direction, guide engineering teams, and own the systems engineering lifecycle from concept development through fielded sustainment. Your deep expertise in mission communications will influence high-visibility programs, ensuring architectures, requirements, and verification strategies are aligned to mission needs and stakeholder expectations. This position requires: **US Department of Defense (DoD) Top Secret Security Clearance Day 1** . **Onsite:** This is an onsite role supporting our **Richardson, TX** location. Sign-on Bonus Eligible What YOU Will Do: Requirements Development & Management: + Own the elicitation, analysis, and management of complex system-level and stakeholder requirements + Ensure complete traceability from requirements through design, implementation, and verification + Facilitate requirements validation activities with customers, certification authorities, and internal stakeholders System Architecture & Design: + Develop, evaluate, and approve advanced architectures, system concepts, and interface definitions. + Lead and review trade studies and alternatives analysis to balance performance, cost, schedule, and risk. + Ensure system design integrity and alignment with mission needs and regulatory standards. + Integration & Verification: + Define system-level V&V strategies, ensuring test coverage across hardware, software, and subsystem interactions. + Lead integration activities and coordinate across multidisciplinary engineering teams. + Execute system-level test events and resolve discrepancies. Technical Leadership & Collaboration: + Serve as the primary technical authority interfacing with customers, program management, and engineering organizations. + Provide strategic guidance, mentorship, and technical decision support across cross-functional teams. + Present design status, technical risks, and mitigation plans to executive leadership and external stakeholders. + Drive Risk, Configuration and Lifecycle Management: + Identify, assess, and manage technical risks throughout the product lifecycle. + Oversee configuration control, baseline maintenance, and change management processes. + Lead design reviews, technical milestone decisions, and readiness assessments. + Support sustainment activities, enhancements, and technology insertions across fielded products. ## Related Videos - [Great DevEx and Regulatory Compliance - Possible?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1426-great-devex-and-regulatory-compliance-possible) - [How To Test A Ball of Mud](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/173-how-to-test-a-ball-of-mud) - [Mutation Testing and Fuzzing in C#](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/703-mutation-testing-and-fuzzing-in-c) - [Why Your Best Mediors Never Become Seniors (And How to Fix It)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2108-why-your-best-mediors-never-become-seniors-and-how-to-fix-it) - [How I Built QA from Scratch in a Scaling Startup - no fluff real life story](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2041-how-i-built-qa-from-scratch-in-a-scaling-startup-no-fluff-real-life-story) - [Test-reduction - Doing more with less](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/977-test-reduction-doing-more-with-less) ## Related Articles - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Résumé-Driven Development: How IT trends affect the job market for software developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/59-resume-driven-development-how-it-trends-affect-the-job-market-for-software-developers) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs)