Principal Systems Engineer

June 16, 2026

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This position offers fully remote opportunities for candidates across the United States. Preferred work locations: Arlington VA, Denver CO, or Merritt Island, FL. Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc offers advanced solutions to meet the most complex U.S. defense, security, space, and intelligence requirements. Celebrating over 50 years in the US, we remain a trusted government partner, leveraging world-class satellite, laser communication, rotor and fixed wing solutions to help our national security, defense and space focused customers meet their missions. Airbus U.S. looks to employ a commitment driven team, dedicated to enabling our customer's mission success. We are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment and a welcoming and engaging staff. With competitive compensation and superior employee benefits, as well as a commitment to fostering individual career growth, Airbus U.S. is the place where top talent wants to work. Position Summary: Airbus U.S. is looking for an enthusiastic and creative Principal Systems Engineer to design and analyze new satellite and aerospace systems. We're looking for candidates who can bring exceptional engineering skills and strong experience in aerospace programs to the team. Position Responsibilities: <span style="font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; font-size: 12pt;">The Principal Systems Engineer's primary responsibility will be contributing to the development of Airbus U.S.'s satellite systems by leading Fault Management. This engineer will be involved in the full lifecycle of development, from requirements definition through operations. Being at the cutting edge of space technology, we need someone who is eager to learn, grow, and take on new and potentially unfamiliar challenges. There is no shortage of fascinating problems to solve. The Principal Systems Engineer will provide autonomous support of complex assignments, under the leadership of the Systems Engineering Manager and Program Chief Engineers. The Principal Systems Engineer will have project and subject matter responsibility and authority. Systems Engineering - 75% <ul> <li style="line-height: normal;">Perform Fault Management Architecture tasks for Airbus U.S. satellite systems, including the heritage Arrow platform: <ul> <li style="line-height: normal;">Fault Management Requirements development – initial definition, decomposition and flow down, specification maintenance and ownership.</li> <li style="line-height: normal;">Fault Management System design and trade studies – high level concept trades to support subsequent detail design.</li> <li style="line-height: normal;">Fault Management Verification planning and testing – verification matrices, buy-off / sell-off, test planning, etc.</li> </ul> </li> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Support the development of subsystem level requirements and requirement flow-down to the various components and parts as necessary - in all phases of the development lifecycle with particular emphasis on system integration, test, and mission operations.</li> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Ability to drive multiple design activities (programs or mission) – could lead to spacecraft, payload, and/or satellite bus activities.</li> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Demonstrated ability to participate in cross-functional planning, coordination, and task execution situations involving the full spectrum of engineering and integration activities.</li> </ul> Roadmap Development - 15% <ul> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Support Airbus spacecraft development product roadmap, which includes design adjustments, schedule, and cost targets aligned for future business captures.</li> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Support the definition of spacecraft customization process for customer mission needs.</li> </ul> Additional Responsibilities - 10% <ul> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Perform all the necessary systems engineering activities to build, to maintain and to evolve the Airbus spacecraft products. </li> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Promote and optimize cost savings by reuse of the heritage platform designs and manufacturing infrastructures in the pursuit of various constellation prospects. </li> </ul> Qualified Experience / Skills / Training: Education: <ul> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas.</li> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Preferred: Masters in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas.</li> </ul> Experience: <ul> <li>A minimum of 15 years with a bachelor's degree, or 12 years with a master's degree.</li> <li>Proven track-record of working Fault Management with aerospace hardware and software systems, starting from conceptual designs and tradeoffs thru detailed design, development, manufacture, integration, test, deployment, and operations.</li> <li>Experience in Fault Management design and implementation.</li> </ul> Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities: <ul> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Familiarity with elements of space mission architectures extending beyond the satellite platform – including launch, flight operations, mission CONOPS, user interfaces, etc.</li> <li>Familiarity with spacecraft systems engineering software tools, including DOORS.</li> <li>Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering, including SysML.</li> <li style="line-height: normal;">Experience with spacecraft subsystems, including software, electrical power generation and distribution, data handling, attitude control, navigation, and communication.</li> <li style="line-height: normal;">Experience with spacecraft requirements definition and decomposition and requirements verification and validation (e.g. Requirements Verification and Traceability Matrices).</li> <li style="line-height: normal;">Experience leading and/or performing analyses for affordability, safety, reliability, maintainability, testability, human systems integration, survivability, vulnerability, susceptibility, system security, regulatory, certification, product assurance or other specialties engineering disciplines.</li> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Communicate in a clear and concise manner effectively across multiple levels.</li> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Be team-minded and ready to work in a multi-functional and multi-cultural, fast-moving and complex/technical environment.</li> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Flexible attitude and strong initiative.</li> <li style="text-autospace: none;">Demonstrated ability to deliver results.</li> </ul> Travel Required: <ul> <li>Periodic travel (less than 20%) to Airbus U.S. facilities or partner companies.</li> <li>Occasional International travel to collaborate with European Airbus counterparts.</li> </ul> Eligibility: <ul> <li>US Citizenship is required.</li> </ul> Clearance: <ul> <li>Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.</li> <li>Active DoD security clearance at Secret or above highly desirable.</li> </ul> Physical Requirements: <ul> <li> Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents.</li> <li> Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds including safety warnings or alarms. </li> <li> Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment.</li> <li> Carrying: able to carry documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.</li> <li> Lifting: able to lift documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.</li> <li> Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.</li> <li> Squatting / Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves.</li> <li> Standing: able to stand for long periods of time.</li> <li> Walking: able to walk through office and outside areas including uneven surfaces.</li> </ul> Equal Opportunity: Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status. As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. By submitting your resume or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to <a href="mailto:HR@airbusus.com">HR@airbusus.com</a>. Company Website: <a href="http://www.airbusus.com">www.airbusus.com</a>

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