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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Systems Architect - C5ISR - **Company:** TOMORROW HIRE - **Location:** McLean, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $200,000.0 - $230,000.0 - **Contract:** Temporary to permanent - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Systems Engineering, Computer Vision, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Distributed Systems, Interoperability, Machine Learning, Mesh Networking, Radio-Frequency Identification, Software Architecture, Requirements Management, Requirements Traceability, Sensor Fusion, Software Systems, Systems Modeling Language, Systems Architecture, Systems Integration, C4ISR, Break Fix, HybridCloud, Multiaccess Edge Computing - **Published:** August 27, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/jobad/us7a991c75f0e3a7228458dcfb9e66b778 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline. * Minimum of 10 years of experience architecting, developing, integrating, and testing complex defense, aerospace, C4ISR/C5ISR, surveillance, communications, or other mission-critical systems. * Demonstrated experience translating operational and customer mission needs into top-level system architectures and engineering designs. * Demonstrated experience taking integrated hardware/software systems from concept through architecture, development, integration, testing, deployment, and operational acceptance. * Strong understanding of systems engineering, sensors, communications, networking, distributed computing, software architecture, and system integration. * Proven experience integrating multi-vendor and multi-domain systems. * Strong understanding of requirements management, requirements traceability, interface definition, verification, validation, and acceptance testing. * Ability to personally contribute technically while providing architecture, development, integration, and testing leadership. * Must be a US citizen and eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance. * Must be able to work on-site in McLean, VA. * Must be willing and able to travel to Gilbert, AZ and other customer/program locations as required, generally approximately once every one to two months., * Experience with C4ISR/C5ISR, border surveillance, perimeter security, ISR, persistent surveillance, Counter-UAS, or related mission systems. * Experience with sensors including radar, EO/IR, and acoustic systems. * Experience with RF systems, sensor fusion, tracking, geospatial systems, AI/ML, computer vision, and automated detection/classification. * Experience with Counter-UAS detection, tracking, identification, and/or defeat systems. * Experience with edge computing, tactical communications, mesh networking, autonomous/unmanned systems, or disconnected and low-bandwidth operational environments. * Experience with command-and-control systems, persistent surveillance hardware, and integrated mission systems. * Experience with system integration laboratories, test ranges, field trials, and operational deployments. * Familiarity with U.S. Department of War, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or other U.S. government mission environments. * Experience with MBSE/SysML and digital engineering. * Experience incorporating cybersecurity into complex system architectures. * Experience with cloud and hybrid-cloud architectures. * Experience working across mechanical, electrical, radar, communications, software, networking, sensor, AI/ML, cybersecurity, and systems engineering disciplines. ## Description Our client, a federal contractor supporting U.S. defense and homeland security missions, is seeking a hands-on Principal Systems Architect - C5ISR to lead the architecture, integration, testing, and technical execution of advanced C4ISR/C5ISR, border/perimeter surveillance, and Counter-UAS systems. The ideal candidate will translate customer mission needs into scalable system architectures and top-level designs integrating technologies such as sensors, communications, command-and-control, networking, AI/ML, cybersecurity, and edge computing. This role works closely with engineering teams, customers, Program Managers, Business Development, and external partners from concept through deployment and operational acceptance., Systems Architecture & Technical Leadership * Lead end-to-end system architecture and provide hands-on technical direction across multidisciplinary engineering teams. * Define system components, interfaces, integration requirements, technical standards, and architecture roadmaps. * Evaluate technical tradeoffs related to performance, cost, reliability, scalability, cybersecurity, and deployability. * Provide system-level design guidance as needed. Systems Engineering & Product Development * Translate customer and operational requirements into system designs, technical specifications, and traceable engineering requirements. * Guide integrated hardware and software systems from concept through development, production, deployment, and sustainment. * Manage system interfaces, technical dependencies, configuration baselines, and architectural risks. * Apply sound systems-engineering principles across complex, multi-domain, and multi-vendor solutions. Systems Integration, Verification & Test * Lead system-level integration, verification, validation, testing, demonstrations, field trials, and customer acceptance activities. * Develop integration and test plans, procedures, verification methods, and acceptance criteria. * Resolve interface, interoperability, performance, and system-level technical issues through hands-on troubleshooting and root-cause analysis. * Support integration laboratories, test ranges, field deployments, and operational demonstrations as required. Customer & Business Development Support * Serve as a senior technical authority during customer engagements, demonstrations, technical reviews, proposals, and business development activities. * Translate customer mission needs into executable technical solutions, system concepts, architectures, and technical approaches. * Collaborate with Program Managers, Business Development, engineering teams, customers, subcontractors, and technology partners. * Provide technical input to proposals, solution development, program planning, and customer presentations. ## Related Videos - [Data Mining Accessibility](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/802-data-mining-accessibility) - [Remote Driving on Plant Grounds with State-of-the-Art Cloud Technologies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/251-remote-driving-on-plant-grounds-with-state-of-the-art-cloud-technologies) - [Fast, Confident, and Wrong: When AI Fails at Accessibility](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100030-fast-confident-and-wrong-when-ai-fails-at-accessibility) - [Robots are coming into the wild! 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