Principal Seeker Systems Engineer at Antenna Research Associates Inc – Laurel, Maryland
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About This Position
Company Overview
ARA is a leading C5ISR company that designs, manufactures, tests and installs innovative technologies that provide the national security community with unparalleled situational awareness, threat detection, and communications capabilities.
Our disruptive, integrated solutions, assemblies and subsystems rise to the challenging demands of discerning, mission-critical customers.
We leverage our capabilities to meet and exceed the requirements of our customers and empower them to remain ahead of evolving threats and complexities in a dynamic security landscape.
Job Summary
ARA is seeking a Principal Seeker Systems Engineer to join our growing team. The Principal Seeker Systems Engineer will be responsible for leading the design, integration, and testing of seeker subassemblies to be used in a wide range of application from hypersonic munitions, interceptors and man-pack munitions. . This role will involve defining system architectures, overseeing the technical direction of engineering projects, and ensuring that solutions meet both technical and customer requirements. The Principal Seeker Systems Engineer will collaborate with senior leadership to drive system-level strategies and innovations while mentoring junior engineers to elevate the technical capabilities of the team. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects and shape the future of national security technologies.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Lead the design, integration, and testing of seeker systems.
- Define and architect system-level solutions that support project objectives while adhering to technical and cost constraints.
- Develop and manage system requirements across multiple projects, ensuring alignment with customer specifications and operational needs.
- Lead system-level testing and verification efforts, including creating test plans, defining test procedures, and conducting comprehensive test analyses.
- Provide oversight and direction for system simulations, performance evaluations, and design trade-offs to assess feasibility and system performance.
- Oversee system integration and troubleshooting, ensuring resolution of complex hardware/software issues.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers, fostering professional growth and knowledge-sharing within the team.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including hardware, software, and project management—to deliver integrated solutions that meet program requirements.
- Support proposal development efforts, offering expert technical input on customer engagements and system design proposals.
- Drive the continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance project efficiency and technical performance.
- Represent the company in technical discussions with clients, stakeholders, and government agencies, providing expert guidance on system capabilities and performance.
- Stay at the forefront of technological advances in the systems engineering domain and integrate emerging technologies into solutions when applicable.
Position Qualifications
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
Competency Statements
- Adaptability - Adapts to change, open to new ideas and responsibilities
- Communication - Ability to communicate thoughts clearly, both oral and written in an honest, open and timely manner
- Job Knowledge - Understands facets of job, aware of duties and responsibilities, keeps job knowledge current
- Technical Skill - Possesses the knowledge and skills needed to perform a job or role effectively
- Dependability - Meets deadlines, works independently or in a team environment, is accountable, maintains focus, good attendance record
- Quality - Strives to eliminate errors, accurate work is a priority, seeks opportunities to improve products
- Ethics - Honest, accountable, maintains confidentiality
- Initiative / Take Ownership - Takes action, seeks new opportunities, strives to see projects to completion, meaning own your job and see it through
- Decision Making – Problem solve and critical thinking skills, be able to reach a decision, takes thoughtful approach when considering options, seeks input from others, makes difficult decisions
- Customer Focus - Understands and can meet the needs in a customer-centric (Internal and External) environment and build strong relationships. Promotes a positive image of the company and strives to solve issues raised by customers
Experience and Skills
- 10+ years of experience in systems engineering, with a focus on integration, testing, and delivery of complex systems.
- Experience with the development of seeker systems is necessary. Experience with AESA based seeker solutions and/or EO/IR systems is a plus.
- Extensive experience in leading systems architecture, design, integration, and testing for large-scale projects.
- Advanced knowledge of systems engineering principles, including requirements development, verification and validation (V&V), and system life cycle management.
- Expertise in system modeling, simulation, and analysis techniques, with a focus on evaluating design feasibility and performance.
- In-depth understanding of system-level testing, debugging, and troubleshooting across both hardware and software components.
- Experience working with communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet, RS-232, RS-485) and hardware interfaces.
- Experience working on Department of Defense (DoD) or other government-related projects preferred.
- Proven track record of mentoring and leading technical teams, providing strategic guidance, and enhancing engineering processes.
- Proficiency with tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, and similar engineering tools.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field.
- Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a related field preferred.
Antenna Research Associates, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to a policy of non-discrimination and affirmative action. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.