Principal Systems Engineer

Position Title: Principal Systems Engineer Requisition ID: 1689 Position Location: Littleton, Colorado Position Reports To: Senior Principal Systems Engineer Supervises Others: No At Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) division, we believe in the power of using strong engineering principles to drive innovation and solve complex problems. We foster a culture of rigorous engineering and continuous improvement, leveraging the full knowledge of our organization through collaborative product development processes that include design and peer reviews. We combine our expertise in space electronics with right‑sized development processes to create innovative, high‑performance space‑based electronic systems that meet our customers' evolving needs. We are a mission partner supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil space customers. We develop complex, radiation effects mitigated, designs that balance competing requirements in modern space programs, delivering cutting‑edge solutions that enable our customers to achieve more in space. Position Summary We are seeking a talented, self‑motivated, and experienced Principal Systems Engineer with demonstrated success in leading engineering teams to develop and deliver new and/or improved products that meet requirements on time and within budget. The Principal Systems Engineer provides systems engineering methodology expertise across R&D and product development programs, is a key participant in establishing technology and product roadmaps and contributes to business opportunities of strategic importance. The Principal Systems Engineer works collaboratively with program managers and project engineers to ensure successful program execution and is responsible for guiding program teams to solving problems through a holistic, systems engineering approach. This position requires expert technical capability and communication skill, effective forward thinking to take advantage of opportunities and prevent issues, and ability to work with engineering leadership towards growing an effective engineering organization. To be successful in this role, the individual should possess technical depth to perform deep‑diving analysis and apply properly tailored systems engineering process, as well as technical breadth to work through complex issues across disciplines (e.g. mechanical, electrical, software, and firmware). This individual is able to work autonomously with only high‑level objectives to be effective, is able to work on problems of diverse complexity and scope and demonstrates expert engineering judgement. Duties and Responsibilities Lead a diverse engineering team in the development of advanced multi‑function RF, processing, networking, and/or data storage units for space applications using systems engineering methodology Own the systems engineering process on the program and ensure the proper systems analysis and trades, technical baseline management, and requirements verification and validation activities are completed Collaborate with program management to lead program planning and execution within cost and schedule constraints Act as the program technical champion / representative / POC Prepare for and present at all major design reviews, including internal and external (customer) reviews Provide technical expertise in planning for IR&D and new product initiatives Support proposal efforts for new business opportunities Support travel or off‑site work, as needed Perform other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field 9+ years of related experience with a bachelor's degree or 7 years with a Master's degree Technical project lead experience Highly accomplished in engineering or scientific domain(s) of expertise Fluent in multiple relevant technical/scientific domains and can work through complex issues across engineering disciplines Proficient in application of systems engineering methodology to product design and development Ability to lead multidiscipline teams (e.g. system, hardware, software/firmware, and integration and test) through the development of complex electronic systems to meet rigorous space application requirements Strong team leadership, including ability to coach teams, provide mentorship, etc. Ability to balance technical performance with program cost and schedule targets Excellent organization and communication skills Must be a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or individual granted refugee or asylee status) Preferred Qualifications MS degree in a STEM field Experience with space industry product development life cycles Experience in product development for high reliability, high survivability, and/or space environment applications Experience with complex electronics product design at low level of integration, e.g. PCBAs, mechanical structures, mission software, FPGA firmware, etc. Experience with Xilinx family devices, including Zynq UltraScale+ or Versal architecture Knowledge of VPX standards (VITA 46 and VITA 65) and demonstrated experience implementing in embedded hardware Experience in electronics design including schematic capture, PCB layout, PCB routing, high‑speed data design, mixed‑signal analysis/design, signal integrity analysis, etc. Experience in signal processing and/or algorithm development Experience with CAD tools, e.g. PSpice, LTspice, Altium, SOLIDWORKS, Keysight ADS, etc. Experience with systems engineering related tools, e.g. STK, MATLAB Simulink, requirements management/databases, MBSE, etc. Experience with one or more levels of the OSI model, understanding of networking protocols, etc. Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position. Benefits Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to: Health benefits Medical Dental Vision Basic life with AD&D Short term disability Long term disability Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet) Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA) Paid time off Holidays 401(k) (including company match) Tuition reimbursement Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military) Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles) Trident Systems is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) #J-18808-Ljbffr