Senior Principal Engineer - DoD Missile Defense Jobs

Summary

Senior Principal Engineer – DoD Missile DefenseLocation: Huntsville, AL 35801 (on-site at customer/government facilities) Clearance: Active Top Secret required Reports to: President/CEO Compensation • Base: $230K – $260K • Performance bonus tied to: o Program growth o Team expansion o Customer satisfactionPosition Overview: We 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 Qualifications:Active Top Secret clearance12+ years supporting DoD programs in: o Missile defense, C2, or related systems o 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 Qualifications:Prior roles such as: o Chief Engineer o Lead Systems Engineer o IPT LeadExperience supporting MDA or similar defense organizationsFamiliarity with Huntsville-area defense programsExperience coordinating with recruiting or staffing teamsCore Responsibilities:Embedded Program Leadership: Work on-site within established DoD programs alongside prime contractor and government teams. Integrate into Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and engineering organizations. Contribute to program execution as a senior technical resource.Program Expansion Support: Identify emerging technical needs and staffing gaps within assigned programs. Coordinate with internal leadership to align capabilities with program demand. Support expansion into adjacent technical areas such as: o Systems engineering o Modeling & simulation o Integration & test o Software / DevSecOpsCustomer & Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong working relationships with: o Program leadership o Technical leads o Engineering teams. Establish reputation as a trusted contributor and problem solver. Support technical discussions, design reviews, and team collaboration.Technical Leadership: Provide expertise in one or more areas: o Modeling & simulation o Command & Control (C2) systems o Missile defense or related domains. Contribute to system design, troubleshooting, and integration activities. Ensure high-quality technical execution across assigned efforts.Internal Coordination: Partner with company leadership and recruiting to: o Align staffing with program needs o Support rapid onboarding of qualified personnel. Help shape internal technical direction based on customer demand signals.Success Metrics:First 6 months: Fully integrated into assigned programs. Established relationships with key stakeholders. Identified opportunities for expanded support.6–12 months: Contributed to measurable growth in program scope and team size. Expanded into additional technical areas or teams.12–24 months: Significant increase in company presence across assigned programs. Recognized as a trusted and reliable technical partner.

Job Description

Senior Principal Engineer – DoD Missile DefenseLocation: Huntsville, AL 35801 (on-site at customer/government facilities) Clearance: Active Top Secret required Reports to: President/CEO Compensation • Base: $230K – $260K • Performance bonus tied to: o Program growth o Team expansion o Customer satisfactionPosition Overview: We 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 Qualifications:Active Top Secret clearance12+ years supporting DoD programs in: o Missile defense, C2, or related systems o 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 Qualifications:Prior roles such as: o Chief Engineer o Lead Systems Engineer o IPT LeadExperience supporting MDA or similar defense organizationsFamiliarity with Huntsville-area defense programsExperience coordinating with recruiting or staffing teamsCore Responsibilities:Embedded Program Leadership: Work on-site within established DoD programs alongside prime contractor and government teams. Integrate into Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and engineering organizations. Contribute to program execution as a senior technical resource.Program Expansion Support: Identify emerging technical needs and staffing gaps within assigned programs. Coordinate with internal leadership to align capabilities with program demand. Support expansion into adjacent technical areas such as: o Systems engineering o Modeling & simulation o Integration & test o Software / DevSecOpsCustomer & Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong working relationships with: o Program leadership o Technical leads o Engineering teams. Establish reputation as a trusted contributor and problem solver. Support technical discussions, design reviews, and team collaboration.Technical Leadership: Provide expertise in one or more areas: o Modeling & simulation o Command & Control (C2) systems o Missile defense or related domains. Contribute to system design, troubleshooting, and integration activities. Ensure high-quality technical execution across assigned efforts.Internal Coordination: Partner with company leadership and recruiting to: o Align staffing with program needs o Support rapid onboarding of qualified personnel. Help shape internal technical direction based on customer demand signals.Success Metrics:First 6 months: Fully integrated into assigned programs. Established relationships with key stakeholders. Identified opportunities for expanded support.6–12 months: Contributed to measurable growth in program scope and team size. Expanded into additional technical areas or teams.12–24 months: Significant increase in company presence across assigned programs. Recognized as a trusted and reliable technical partner.