> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2683761-principal-systems-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2683761-principal-systems-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Systems Engineer - **Company:** Leonardo DRS - **Location:** Germantown, MD, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $134,332.0 - $181,349.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Hardware Design, MATLAB, Release Management, Software Requirements Analysis, Verification and Validation (Software), Systems Architecture, Strategies of Testing - **Published:** September 2, 2026 - **Apply:** https://careers.leonardodrs.com/talentcommunity/apply/1425289500/?locale=en_US ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field or equivalent experience and a minimum of 8 years of experience on a development program including systems/hardware integration and troubleshooting * DOD Secret clearance or ability to obtain a clearance * Demonstrated experience translating customer needs and mission requirements into system requirements and architecture * Experience with product management activities such as roadmapping, release planning, or aligning multi-disciplinary engineering teams to a schedule * Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team * Strong organizational skills and the ability to independently execute work tasks in a rapidly changing, fast-paced environment. * Strong written, communication, and presentation skills * Experience supporting DoD customers and processes, * Experience or familiarity with various analytical and decisions aid tools (e.g. Cameo, MatLab, STK, etc.) * Experience with the DoD architectural framework and design guidance for radar systems and systems engineering processes * Prior experience owning a product roadmap or release plan for a hardware/software system * Prior experience in a technical or product management role coordinating multiple subcomponent or discipline teams * Ability to effectively collaborate with industry and academic partners * Excellent communication and presentation skills, ability to effectively communicate to senior leadership within the company, customer and academic communities U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment. ## Description This is a fully in-person role located in Germantown, Maryland. We are seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to contribute to new and evolving radar products by defining requirements, shaping system architecture, and planning verification and validation activities from concept through design maturity. Candidates should be equally comfortable running rigorous systems engineering trade studies and driving cross-functional roadmap and release conversations with engineering leads, program management, and manufacturing., * Drive product development activities including concept definition, requirements elicitation and decomposition, and system-level architecture trade studies * Own and maintain system and subsystem requirements throughout the product lifecycle, ensuring traceability from customer/mission need through design, verification, and validation * Develop and maintain verification and validation (V&V) plans, including test strategy, success criteria, and entry/exit criteria for major design reviews * Define and evolve system architecture, including interfaces between hardware, software, and subcomponent teams, ensuring design decisions balance performance, cost, schedule, and manufacturability * Coordinate release planning - defining release scope, sequencing features/capabilities across builds, and setting the cadence for baseline updates * Lead and participate in technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and ensure requirements, architecture, and V&V artifacts are ready to support each milestone * Communicate clearly (written and oral) with manufacturing, supply chain, program management and the customer as required * Provides technical expertise and assistance to other engineers and support personnel * Interact with technical management, other professionals, technicians and support personnel to coordinate, recommend and confer regarding technical activities and progress * Support, communicate, reinforce and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization ## Related Videos - [How to govern Vibe Coding for the Enterprise](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100290-how-to-govern-vibe-coding-for-the-enterprise) - [Quantum Computing - The tiny and the big challenges](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/934-quantum-computing-the-tiny-and-the-big-challenges) - [Leveraging Large Language Models for Legacy Code Translation: Challenges and Solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1157-leveraging-large-language-models-for-legacy-code-translation-challenges-and-solutions) - [Robots are coming into the wild! 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