Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Weapons Fuzing

Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Weapons Fuzing_Fort Wayne, IN_Full-Time(FTE)_Direct Hire

Position Title: Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Weapons Fuzing

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: Fort Wayne, IN

Base Salary: $165,000 to $175,000 + Best-in-class benefits

Job Category: Engineering - Systems

Department of Defense Secret security clearance is required at time of hire.

Job Description:

Basic Qualifications:

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree, plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.

Clearance Requirements:

• Department of Defense Secret security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Job Description:

Required Skills and Expertise:

• ESAD/ESAF Architecture & Design (Expert): Led design of fielded ESAD/ESAF; can independently architect ESD, S&A, and firing chain; Experience designing systems compliant to MIL-STD-1316 or MIL-STD-1911
• Environmental Sensing design (Expert): Designed sensing systems that sense environment conditions such as release, setback, spin, and all-up-round environments
• Environmental testing of fuze systems (Expert): Designed qualification tests for fuzing systems iaw JOTP, MIL-STD-331, and MIL-STD-810; performed environmental qualification; performed failure and root cause analysis on failures
• Safe and Arm (S&A) mechanism design (Expert): Designed electrical or electromechanical S&A devices
• High reliability electronics (Advanced): Experience designing high reliability electronics systems for safety critical or mission critical systems
• Self-destruct / self-neutralize design (Advanced): Designed self-destruct/neutralization mechanisms to reduce UxO
• Fuze system-level requirements decomposition (Advanced): Traces system requirements to ESD, S&A, firing circuit, and software; manages RVTM
• Target detection & classification (Intermediate): Working knowledge of magnetic influence, seismic, acoustic, or pressure-based target sensing systems
• Built-in test (BIT) design for fuze systems (Advanced): Designed continuous and power-on BIT for S&A, battery, and sensor health; fault lockout logic; experience with BIT coverage analysis

Highly Desired Differentiators:

• AFSRB board presenter: Has personally presented to the AFSRB — extremely rare; commands immediate credibility within the Air Force fuze community
• Multi-service fuze programs: Delivered fuzes for two or more military services (Army + Navy, or AF + Army), demonstrating breadth across service-specific requirements
• Proximity fuze / active sensing: Designed active proximity fuze systems (RF, laser, acoustic) in addition to passive influence fuzing
• Autonomous system integration (UAS/UGV payloads): Integrated fuze with autonomous delivery platforms
• MOSA / open architecture fuzing: Designed fuzes to modular open systems architecture (MOSA) principles; plug-and-play payload integration
• Digital twin / simulation: Built quantitative physics-based fuze simulations for firing chain timing, magnetic signature modeling, or safety FTA
• Picatinny / NSWC / AFRL lab background: Government lab background in fuze engineering — brings inside understanding of Government test and qualification processes
• University relationships: Maintains academic connections (Colorado School of Mines, Penn State ICT, Auburn, Purdue, Texas A&M ballistic programs) for talent pipeline support

Our Commitment to You:

• An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
• Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation’s security
• Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work, if desired (9/80 schedule)
• Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more

Workplace Options:

• This position is fully onsite or hybrid/flex with opportunity to be fully remote/telework for candidates with strong experience and background. If remote, 25% travel to Ft. Wayne, Indiana site with possibility of surge support based on scheduled events.
• While on-site, you will be a part of the Advanced Electronics Systems team located in Ft Wayne, Indiana

Skills and Certifications

• Environmental Testing of Fuze Systems
• Safe and Arm Mechanism Design
• Firing Chain Design
• Fuze System-Level Requirements Decomposition
• Built-in test (BIT) design for fuze systems
• Security Clearance Required: Yes

Compensation:

• Full-time
• Benefits - Full
• 10+ to 15 years experience
• Seniority Level - Mid-Senior
• Minimum Education - Bachelor's Degree
• Willingness to Travel - Often

Ideal Candidate:

• Candidate needs to have an active Dept. of Defense Secret clearance.
• Experience with Fuze systems
• Environmental Testing of Fuze Systems
• Firing Chain Design (CDU/EFI)
• Safe and Arm (S&A) Mechanism Design

Work-Life Balance:

• Flexible schedules including a 9/80 option (every other Friday off)
• Generous paid time off and parental leave
• Employees consistently highlight low micromanagement and autonomy in their roles
• 401(k) with 6% company match and immediate vesting
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability coverage
• Tuition assistance for continued education

Meaningful, Impactful Work:

• A team of 12,000+ professionals engineering high-tech solutions across defense and scientific domains
• Employees get to work on challenging projects that contribute to national security and scientific advancement

Collaborative Environment:

• Employees praise the supportive, collaborative culture -- "Everyone helped each other in a time of need"
• Strong community involvement and veteran support programs

Employee Loyalty:

• Average employee tenure of 12 years, which speaks to long-term satisfaction and retention