Systems Engineer

Job Title: Senior Lead Systems Engineer

Job Description

This Senior Lead Systems Engineer role focuses on driving system architecture definition, requirements development, and end-to-end integration and verification across a portfolio of complex, interconnected embedded systems. You ensure system-level consistency, performance, and compliance with program objectives while coordinating execution across multidisciplinary engineering teams in schedule-driven, often regulated or mission-critical environments. You lead interface control, lifecycle systems engineering, and technical execution, with a strong emphasis on traceability, verification, and collaboration across hardware, software, and manufacturing functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end systems engineering activities across multiple related systems, including system architecture definition, requirements development, interface management, risk assessment, verification planning, and formal design reviews such as SRR, PDR, CDR, PRR, and TRR.
• Establish, decompose, and maintain system-level requirements with full traceability to customer specifications, derived constraints, verification methods, and subsystem allocations.
• Coordinate technical execution across internal teams and external partners to ensure consistent system architecture, controlled interfaces, aligned schedules, and delivery of verified, compliant system capabilities.
• Develop and maintain key system artifacts, including system block diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), data flow diagrams, verification matrices, integration strategies, and detailed test plans.
• Lead and facilitate technical interchange meetings (TIMs), cross-functional design reviews, peer reviews, and supplier technical assessments, with a strong focus on verification readiness and overall system completeness.
• Collaborate closely with software, hardware, test engineering, manufacturing, configuration management, and program management teams to ensure cohesive system behavior and robust lifecycle verification.
• Provide leadership in configuration control, requirements management, and verification processes, supporting continuous improvement initiatives and adherence to industry quality standards such as AS9100 or equivalent.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers, helping to develop and mature systems engineering practices across the organization.
• Support system architecture definition, decomposition, and configuration-controlled updates throughout the hardware and software lifecycle.
• Manage program and engineering workflows using tools such as Jira, including sprint planning, backlog grooming, reporting, and cross-team coordination.
• Apply strong understanding of embedded systems, hardware/software integration, interface control, and data-driven decision-making to manage complex system interactions.
• Support government or defense-related programs by ensuring compliance with applicable standards, processes, and customer expectations where required.

Essential Skills

• Strong proficiency in full lifecycle systems engineering for embedded systems, including concept, design, integration, verification, and validation.
• Ability to operate effectively in fixed-price, schedule-driven environments while supporting Agile development practices.
• Hands-on experience defining, refining, and maintaining traceable requirements baselines, including system modeling, analysis, and verification aligned to program commitments.
• Solid background in high-speed serial communication technologies and mixed hardware/software architectures, including integration of embedded processors and high-speed communication interfaces.
• Demonstrated capability to support system architecture definition, decomposition, design reviews, and configuration-controlled updates throughout the hardware/software lifecycle.
• Experience managing program and engineering workflows using tools such as Jira for sprint planning, backlog grooming, reporting, and cross-team coordination.
• Strong understanding of embedded systems, hardware/software integration, interface control, and data-driven decision-making across complex system interactions.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills, with the ability to clearly present technical concepts to customers, leadership, and cross-functional teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in systems engineering or closely related disciplines.
• U.S. Person status with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting government or defense-related research, development, or acquisition programs.
• Familiarity with requirements management tools such as DOORS or similar platforms.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams and aligning Agile development practices with fixed-price contractual deliverables.
• Knowledge of environmental qualification standards and testing methods, including MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-810.
• Understanding of configuration management practices and their application to complex hardware and software systems.
• background in systems architecture and systems engineering for complex, interconnected systems.
• Experience working with high-speed communication interfaces and embedded processors in mission-critical or regulated environments.
• Ability to mentor and coach junior engineers and contribute to the development of organizational systems engineering processes.
• Capability to work with equipment and systems that support military installations or defense-related applications.

Work Environment

The work environment centers on complex embedded systems and space communication devices, including programs that support naval and other cleared contracts. Work is performed 100% onsite due to the sensitive nature of the projects and the need for close collaboration with hardware, software, and manufacturing teams. The facility features a cubicle-based office area with manufacturing operations located nearby, enabling engineers to follow products from design through to production. The team culture offers a balanced environment, with some colleagues enjoying regular social activities such as group outings and happy hours, while others maintain a more family-focused schedule, creating a supportive and flexible atmosphere. The organization is stable, has received multiple recent awards, and is moving into a brand-new space, offering modern facilities and the opportunity to work on advanced technology that supports critical defense and communication missions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Melbourne, FL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $84.13/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 fully onsite position in Melbourne,FL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 25, 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.