Senior Systems Engineer

Job Title: Systems Engineer

Job Description

This Systems Engineer contractor role focuses on the analysis, design, development, and integration of Mission Equipment Packages (MEPs) for battlefield reconnaissance, survivability, lethality, radar, and electronic system payloads onto legacy and next-generation combat vehicles. You will execute an interdisciplinary systems engineering process to ensure technical performance requirements are met with high quality, cost efficiency, and schedule compliance. The role is ideal for an engineer with a strong electrical engineering and software experience, including hands-on experience integrating and testing power systems and distribution, embedded and control software, and test instrumentation and data acquisition systems. You will work closely with cross-functional hardware and software teams in both lab environments and on-vehicle test ranges to support system upgrades, system check-out, troubleshooting, and issue resolution.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, design, develop, and integrate Mission Equipment Packages (MEPs) for battlefield reconnaissance, survivability, lethality, radar, and electronic system payloads onto combat vehicles.
• Execute an interdisciplinary systems engineering process to ensure customer technical performance requirements are satisfied in a high-quality, cost-efficient, and schedule-compliant manner.
• Integrate and test power systems and power distribution, embedded and control software, and test instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Work directly with cross-functional hardware and software teams in lab environments and on-vehicle at test ranges to support system upgrades, system check-out, troubleshooting, and issue resolution.
• Read and understand software code to analyze software behavior and identify potential issues or improvements.
• Support debugging and bug hunting activities, focusing on software integration and system-level impacts.
• Connect software behavior to system-level issues and understand downstream impacts, including second- and third-order effects.
• Perform software testing and support system integration debugging across lab and field test environments.
• Support testing and integration activities by setting up, operating, and monitoring systems in lab and field conditions.
• Present technical content in design reviews, test briefs, and other formal or informal technical meetings.
• Collaborate effectively with government stakeholders and other external partners, communicating technical status and issues clearly and professionally.
• Support the acquisition of hardware and software needed for system development, integration, and testing.
• Enforce and integrate systems engineering processes into program plans, ensuring consistent application of best practices.
• Strive to complete assigned activities on time and within budget while maintaining high technical quality.
• Support, communicate, reinforce, and defend the mission, values, and culture of the organization.
• Attend appropriate engineering, customer, or business meetings to provide technical input and represent the systems engineering function.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in systems engineering or closely related disciplines.
• Strong software skills with the ability to read and understand code.
• Experience analyzing software behavior and supporting debugging and bug hunting efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to connect software behavior to system-level issues and understand downstream impacts (second- and third-order effects).
• Hands-on experience integrating and testing power systems and power distribution.
• Experience with embedded and control software integration and testing.
• Experience with test instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Understanding of Systems Engineering principles and practices.
• Experience with software testing and system integration debugging in lab or field environments.
• Ability to present technical information clearly in design reviews, test briefs, and similar forums.
• Comfort working directly with cross-functional hardware and software teams.
• Comfort interacting with government stakeholders in technical and review settings.
• Ability to travel within and outside the continental United States (approximately 10%).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with SysML and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies.
• electrical engineering, particularly related to vehicle or mission equipment power systems.
• Experience using MATLAB for analysis, modeling, or data processing.
• Experience with C and C++ for embedded or systems-level software.
• Experience supporting lab or field test environments for complex systems.
• Experience working as part of an integrated team including mechanical, software, cyber, and other engineering disciplines.

Work Environment

This role follows a 9/80 work schedule, providing a structured yet flexible workweek. The position offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining on-site and remote work as appropriate to project needs. You will report to a lead systems engineer and collaborate within an integrated team that includes multiple junior engineers and specialists from mechanical, software, cyber, and other engineering disciplines. Work takes place in both lab environments and on-vehicle test ranges, where you will support system integration, testing, and troubleshooting using modern test instrumentation and data acquisition tools. The environment emphasizes collaboration, adherence to systems engineering processes, and alignment with the organization's mission, values, and culture.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bridgeton, MO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $52.00 - $55.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Bridgeton,MO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.