Principal Systems Engineer - Embedded Tactical Software

Job Description

ECS is looking for a Principal Systems Engineer - Embedded Software Engineer to work Onsite in Arlington, VA.

The Principal Systems Engineer will provide senior-level technical oversight, quality assurance, and lifecycle governance for embedded tactical software supporting Department of Defense and Navy weapon and combat systems. This is a principal individual-contributor role focused on reviewing, validating, and auditing embedded software and engineering decisions-not people management or day-to-day software development.

The ideal candidate has deep experience in safety-critical, highly regulated environments such as missile systems, Aegis or Navy combat systems, or other real-time defense platforms, and brings the technical judgment needed to independently assess software quality, integration impacts, and engineering rigor.
What You'll Do

• Serve as a senior technical authority on Change Control Boards (CCBs) governing embedded software updates and configuration changes.
• Review and evaluate proposed software design changes, including system-level and hardware integration impacts.
• Conduct independent audits of embedded software, engineering processes, test artifacts, and compliance documentation.
• Validate that updated software designs meet engineering rigor, configuration management standards, and DoD quality requirements.
• Review embedded software logic, design documentation, and verification results to assess correctness and completeness (without hands-on coding).
• Partner with hardware, systems, and integration engineers to assess and resolve complex software-hardware integration issues.
• Provide objective, unbiased technical assessments when reviewing software delivered by prime contractors and external partners.
• Support technical exchange meetings, engineering reviews, and program readiness discussions.
• Ensure verification, validation, and quality testing activities are properly executed and documented.

Required Skills

• • Active Top Secret Clearance
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (or equivalent experience)
  • 7+ years of experience in embedded software, systems engineering, or software lifecycle oversight within DoD or military programs
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Embedded and/or real-time software systems
    • Software design, verification, and validation practices
    • Configuration management and change control processes
    • Engineering quality, compliance, and audit principles
  • Proficiency in C++, Python, or similar languages sufficient to review embedded software and design logic
  • Experience working in regulated, mission-critical defense environments
  • Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
  • Willingness to travel up to 25% for mission-critical activities
  • Strong analytical, documentation, and technical communication skills
  • Ability to operate independently with sound technical judgment

Desired Skills

• • Master's degree in Engineering or related discipline
  • 10+ years of experience supporting DoD, Navy, or weapons systems programs
  • Familiarity with Standard Missile systems, Aegis, or Navy combat systems
  • Experience navigating interfaces between government stakeholders and prime contractors
  • Background in embedded or real-time software for missile, radar, or defense platforms
  • Experience supporting IV&V, T&E, or software assurance functions