Principal Systems Architect - C5ISR

Job Title: Principal Systems Architect - C5ISR

Work Type: Onsite Primary

Location: McLean, VA

Salary: $200,000–$230,000

Overview

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.

Key Responsibilities

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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Compensation for this position is location-dependent and determined by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, technical expertise, security clearance, skills, geographic location, and the specific requirements of the company’s programs and contracts.

McLean, VA 22102: $200,000–$230,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits

Eligible employees (30+ hours/week) may enroll in benefits starting the first of the month after hire. Offerings include:

• Multiple Medical, Dental, and Vision plan options
• Prescription coverage with mail-order option
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Life, and Voluntary Insurance
• 401(k) with John Hancock (eligible after 6 months)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Wellness and Employee Discount programs
• Paid Time Off (2 weeks), 3 Sick Days (prorated), and Paid Holidays, including Winter Break (Dec 24–31)
• Semi-monthly payroll (10th & 25th)