Systems Engineer

Job Title: Systems Engineer

Job Description

This Systems Engineer role focuses on supporting unmanned, manned, and optionally piloted aircraft platforms, as well as unmanned ground vehicles. You will work across the full lifecycle of complex aerospace and defense systems, from initial concept and requirements definition through design, integration, test, and deployment. The position combines systems requirements development, architecture and interface design, analytical modeling, and hands-on test planning and execution in a dynamic, highly technical environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze customer and stakeholder needs to develop, decompose, derive, and allocate requirements to system and subsystem elements.
• Develop system architectures for new and existing aircraft and unmanned ground vehicle systems, ensuring alignment with mission and customer objectives.
• Create and maintain system design documentation, including system schematics, interface control documents (ICDs), and system/subsystem interface definitions.
• Utilize and maintain existing analytical models and develop new models to support system design, trade studies, and performance assessments.
• Conduct trade studies and perform design research on core engineering concepts to determine optimal requirements, architectures, and design approaches.
• Plan, develop, and document test strategies, test plans, test procedures, and test reports based on requirements and system architecture.
• Develop detailed test cases directly from requirements documentation to verify and validate system and subsystem performance.
• Lead and conduct testing activities, including integration and test (I&T), hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), and operational test execution as applicable.
• Ensure clear traceability between requirements, design, implementation, and test results, understanding and managing the full V-model lifecycle from left (definition and design) to right (integration and test).
• Participate in planning, design, integration, testing, and deployment of moderately complex engineered systems and software to ensure conformance with functional specifications and customer definitions.
• Work closely with the Software Engineering team to develop software system requirements and test requirements that align with overall system needs.
• Adhere to structured and defined development processes, including formal design and review milestones such as Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR).
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including electrical, mechanical, and aerospace engineers to ensure cohesive system designs and interfaces.
• Support integration activities for aircraft electrical systems, subsystems, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) components.
• Use lifecycle and requirements management tools (such as DOORS, Cameo, Atlassian toolsets, and Requirements Yogi) to manage requirements, architecture, and traceability.
• Contribute technical leadership, providing clear communication, analytical insight, and decision support throughout all phases of the project.
• Take ownership of assigned work, driving tasks to completion with a strong sense of urgency and results orientation.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering.
• 5–7 years of industry experience in systems engineering, or 3–5 years of experience for candidates based in Round Rock, Oklahoma City, or Sacramento where additional training resources are available.
• Experience developing system requirements and system architectures in collaboration with a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Proven cradle-to-grave systems engineering experience, including involvement in requirements definition, system design, integration, and test.
• Experience working with both sides of the V-model, with a strong understanding of how early requirements and design decisions relate to integration, verification, and validation activities.
• Hands-on experience in the development of interface control documents (ICDs) and system/subsystem interface definitions.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute tests, including development of test plans, test cases, and test reports tied to system requirements.
• Experience within the Defense and/or Aerospace industry.
• Direct experience with aircraft systems; experience with unmanned aircraft systems (UAVs) is strongly preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD Secret Clearance or higher, if required.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex technical information and make sound engineering decisions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.
• Demonstrated technical leadership capabilities and the ability to work in a self-directed manner.
• Results-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership, urgency, and drive to meet project goals.
• Hands-on experience in test and integration (I&T), particularly for aircraft and embedded systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles is a strong plus.
• Experience in aircraft electrical systems and exposure to electrical schematics.
• Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and software-in-the-loop (SIL) test environments.
• Experience with requirements and architecture tools such as DOORS and Cameo.
• Experience with Atlassian tools (such as Jira and Confluence) for collaboration, configuration management, and workflow tracking.
• Familiarity with Requirements Yogi or similar requirements management plugins.
• Experience supporting embedded software development teams, particularly in test and integration roles.
• Experience participating in and supporting formal design reviews such as Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR).
• Exposure to operational test execution for aircraft or UAV systems.
• Experience working with structured development processes in defense and aerospace programs.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sacramento, CA.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $95.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Sacramento,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on May 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

Salary : $60 - $95