Principal Engineer (Systems Engineer)

Company Overview

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (OTS) is a global leader in the design, engineering and production of munitions, energetics, weapons, armaments, and missile subsystems around the world. OTS empowers the U.S. military and its allies with an extensive range of overarching product segments applied across all levels of strategic and tactical operations, providing a cutting-edge advantage to our warfighters. Our Ethos of Honesty, Trust, Transparency, and Alignment, are the guiding principles that form the foundation of everything we do. Integrity is paramount, innovation fuels our passion, customer satisfaction is at the core of our mission, and collaboration is key to our success - fostering a culture of teamwork and mutual respect among employees, partners, and stakeholders. Whether you're just starting out on your career journey or are an experienced professional, we offer a robust total rewards package that goes above and beyond with compensation; healthcare, wellness, retirement, and work/life benefits that include career development and recognition programs. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Job Summary

We are seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to support U.S. production transition, platform integration, and development of Active Protection System (APS) technologies. This role focuses on APS launcher and countermeasure integration onto current and future U.S. military platforms. Under technical oversight of an Engineering Fellow, responsibilities include converting foreign-partner technical data into a domestic baseline, leading system integration, resolving interface issues, supporting qualification, and enabling future upgrades. Candidates must collaborate across disciplines and engage with hardware during tests. A hybrid work schedule is available with on-site presence in Colchester. Regular domestic and periodic international travel to suppliers and military facilities is required.

Impact of the Role

General Profile

• Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise in own job discipline or field
• Uses advanced techniques, theories, and processes to complete work
• Leads others to solve complex problems
• Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations
• May lead functional teams or projects
• Consistent exercise of discretion & judgment

Essential Functions

• Applies standard engineering techniques to design, analyze, test, maintain, repair, or improve products, components, or assemblies. 
• Analyzes, develops and evaluates systems.  
• Improves and maintains current systems or creates brand new projects.  
• Designs and drafts blueprints, visits systems in the field and manages projects.  
• Applies engineering techniques and analyses within the scope of the assignment. 

Additional Responsibilities

Supports product lifecycle activities, including requirements development, verification, integration, qualification, configuration management, field support, and upgrades. Assesses technical changes, resolves production issues with cross-functional teams, participates in technical reviews and customer engagements, contributes to safety and logistics documentation, and manages risks and technical issues with efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Required education and experience: Associate's Degree and 8-10 years' experience
• Discipline/Major: Engineering degree required
• Critical professional related technical skills; computer skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred education and experience: Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or another closely related technical field.
• Knowledge, skills & abilities: Strong technical judgment. Systems thinking. Analytical and critical-thinking skills. Structured problem solving. Technical leadership. Clear oral and written communication. Ability to work independently in ambiguous technical environments. Ability to collaborate effectively across organizational, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries.
• Key Qualifications:
  • Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Security Clearance is required; an existing clearance is strongly preferred.
  • Working knowledge of formal systems engineering methods, requirements management, interface definition, verification planning, and configuration management.
  • Experience developing or integrating complex systems in the Aerospace or Defense industry.
  • Experience working directly with customers, suppliers, platform integrators, or Government technical organizations.
  • Experience participating in multidisciplinary integration and test activities and coordinating across mechanical, electrical, software, controls, test, or manufacturing disciplines.
  • Experience working with international suppliers, foreign-developed technology, or technical data transfer is desirable.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.
• Requires regular movement throughout GD-OTS facilities.
• Work may require employee to work inside and outside with exposure to changing climate and/or operate machinery.

Travel Requirements

Up to 25% travel likely.

Pay Range (USD)

$119,425.00 - $161,578.00

Pay Transparency Statement

The salary range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum for salary for this position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, internal equity, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the range during the hiring process.

Additional Compensation

Hired applicant may be eligible to participate in the Company’s Gain Sharing Program.

Benefits

Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, and basic life insurance as well as pre-tax spending accounts. Employees are also able to enroll in the company's 401k plan and are eligible for the Non-Contributory Retirement Contribution. In addition to the benefits discussed above, the company offers the following voluntary benefits: Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance, Identify Theft Protection, Enhanced Legal Services, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Educational Assistance, Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Employees will receive paid holidays and 120 hours of PTO annually and up to 3 weeks paid family leave.

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The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. The statements do not represent an exhaustive list of required responsibilities and skills. Other duties may be added or this job description may be amended at any time. This job description does not alter an employee's at-will employment status or create an employment agreement or contract, implied or otherwise.