Senior Principal Engineer – DoD Missile DefenseHuntsville, AL 35801 (on-site at customer/government facilities)Active Top Secret requiredPresident/CEOBase: $230K – $260KPerformance bonus tied to: Program growth, Team expansion, Customer satisfactionWe are seeking a senior technical leader to support and expand our presence across existing Department of Defense programs. This role operates within customer and prime contractor environments, providing technical leadership while helping identify and support program growth opportunities. The position combines hands-on engineering, customer engagement, and program expansion support.
Success is defined by strengthening relationships, increasing scope of work, and growing team presence within assigned programs.Required QualificationsActive Top Secret clearance12+ years supporting DoD programs in: Missile defense, C2, or related systems, Modeling & simulation environmentsExperience working within prime contractor-led programsStrong understanding of program structures, IPTs, and engineering workflowsDemonstrated ability to build relationships in customer-facing environmentsPreferred QualificationsPrior roles such as: Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, IPT LeadExperience supporting MDA or similar defense organizationsFamiliarity with Huntsville-area defense programsExperience coordinating with recruiting or staffing teamsCore Responsibilities1. Embedded Program LeadershipWork on-site within established DoD programs alongside prime contractor and government teamsIntegrate into Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and engineering organizationsContribute to program execution as a senior technical resource2. Program Expansion SupportIdentify emerging technical needs and staffing gaps within assigned programsCoordinate with internal leadership to align capabilities with program demandSupport expansion into adjacent technical areas such as: Systems engineering, Modeling & simulation, Integration & test, Software / DevSecOps3.
Customer & Stakeholder EngagementBuild strong working relationships with: Program leadership, Technical leads, Engineering teamsEstablish reputation as a trusted contributor and problem solverSupport technical discussions, design reviews, and team collaboration4. Technical LeadershipProvide expertise in one or more areas: Modeling & simulation, Command & Control (C2) systems, Missile defense or related domainsContribute to system design, troubleshooting, and integration activitiesEnsure high-quality technical execution across assigned efforts5. Internal CoordinationPartner with company leadership and recruiting to: Align staffing with program needs, Support rapid onboarding of qualified personnelHelp shape internal technical direction based on customer demand signalsSuccess MetricsFirst 6 months: Fully integrated into assigned programs, Established relationships with key stakeholders, Identified opportunities for expanded support6–12 months: Contributed to measurable growth in program scope and team size, Expanded into additional technical areas or teams12–24 months: Significant increase in company presence across assigned programs, Recognized as a trusted and reliable technical partner
Senior Principal Engineer - DoD Missile Defense in huntsville at Unknown Company
This position is listed as contract and onsite.