LEAD ENGINEER - SR. RESEARCH ENGINEER - System Engineer

Who We Are:

SwRI’s SIGINT Solutions Department, part of Defense & Intelligence Solutions Division, develops innovative technologies integrating advanced RF systems, signal processing, electronic warfare, and hardware/software solutions. Supporting the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community, our multidisciplinary teams put mission first and deliver cutting-edge research, systems engineering, and mission-critical capabilities. We seek talented engineers who embrace innovation, thrive on technical challenges, and are driven to deliver solutions and capabilities that make a difference.

Objectives of this Role:

• Lead and guide the development of complex system architectures, technical requirements, and interface designs, ensuring seamless integration of hardware and software capabilities while meeting customer specifications and operational needs.
• Support the planning and execution of engineering projects by coordinating technical activities, managing schedules and deliverables, and collaborating with project managers and stakeholders to achieve technical, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Apply strong analytical and engineering expertise to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex system challenges.
• Evaluate system performance, technical risks, and develop practical solutions that enhance reliability, efficiency, and mission success.
• Drive technical innovation by exploring emerging technologies, evaluating new engineering approaches, and identifying opportunities to improve system designs, performance, and development processes.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technical staff while fostering a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing, professional development, and engineering excellence.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Lead and support systems engineering activities throughout the engineering lifecycle, including concept development, requirements definition, system architecture, design, integration, verification, validation, and testing of complex systems.
• Perform system decomposition, engineering trade studies, technical analyses, and risk assessments.
• Lead troubleshooting, system integration, laboratory testing, and field demonstrations to optimize system performance and functionality.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams specializing in RF, electronic warfare, signal processing, embedded systems, software, and ML/AI.
• Provide technical guidance, coordinate engineering activities, and engage with customers.
• Work closely with project managers and technical leads to coordinate resources, deliverables, and achieve milestones.
• Develop and maintain system specifications, engineering documentation, test plans, and technical reports and requirements.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies and innovative engineering solutions to advance system capabilities.
• Contribute to research initiatives, technical proposals, and new business opportunities through concept development.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering.
• 5+ years: Strong systems engineering experience demonstrating problem-solving, leadership of at least a small team, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• 5 years: System design experience must include systems that involve both hardware and software, integration thereof, as well as verification testing activities and generation of documents for design and testing.
• 5 years: Experience with Linux OS required. Familiarity with python scripting is preferred. Experience with C++ or Verilog/VHDL experience is a plus.
• 5 years: Experience providing solutions involving digital signal processing (DSP), SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT, or electronic warfare (EW) is preferred.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.