Principal Aerospace Systems Architect/Engineer (Directed Energy)
Core
Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for directed energy (DE) weapon system architectures from concept maturation through fielding for the warfighter.
Role type
Principal Aerospace Systems Architect/Engineer (Directed Energy)
Builds
Directed energy weapon systems (laser sources, power electronics, beam directors, sensors) for airborne, shipboard, and ground platforms
Domain
Defense / Directed Energy Weapon Systems / Systems Engineering
Required skills
Systems engineering, directed energy weapon system development, MBSE adoption and governance, beam control, optical propagation physics, atmospheric effects modeling, power/thermal subsystem scaling, laser safety and regulatory compliance, verification and validation strategy, modeling and simulation, algorithm development, risk management, cost and schedule trade analysis, mentorship
Preferred skills
Leading large multi-disciplinary engineering efforts, electronic/electrical system requirements validation, cybersecurity integration at architecture level, assembly integration and test planning
Technologies
Solid-state lasers, fiber lasers, slab lasers, power electronics, energy storage, beam directors, sensors, thermal management systems, MBSE tools
Responsibilities
Provide technical leadership and vision for DE system architectures; act as primary technical interface with senior customer stakeholders; lead development of concepts of operation and architecture trade studies; drive functional decomposition and requirements derivation; lead cross-functional teams to produce physical decompositions and detailed design solutions; own verification and validation strategy; lead modeling and simulation activities; ensure incorporation of safety and regulatory considerations; direct risk management and mitigation strategies; prepare technical content for program milestones; mentor engineering leads and teams; represent the program at technical forums and customer briefings; support deployment and sustainment strategies
Seniority
Principal, hands-on IC with strategic leadership