What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Weapons Fuzing position at Bestinfo Systems LLC?
Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Weapons Fuzing_Fort Wayne, IN_Full-Time(FTE)_Direct Hire
Position Title: Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Weapons Fuzing
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Base Salary: $165,000 to $175,000 Best-in-class benefits
Industry: Aerospace / Aviation / Defense
Job Category: Engineering - Systems
Department of Defense Secret security clearance is required at time of hire.
Job Description:
Basic Qualifications:
Education Requirements:
*Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree, plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.
Clearance Requirements:
*Department of Defense Secret security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.
Job Description:
Required Skills and Expertise:
* ESAD/ESAF Architecture & Design (Expert): Led design of fielded ESAD/ESAF; can independently architect ESD, S&A, and firing chain; Experience designing systems compliant to MIL-STD-1316 or MIL-STD-1911
* Environmental Sensing design (Expert): Designed sensing systems that sense environment conditions such as release, setback, spin, and all-up-round environments
* Environmental testing of fuze systems (Expert): Designed qualification tests for fuzing systems iaw JOTP, MIL-STD-331, and MIL-STD-810; performed environmental qualification; performed failure and root cause analysis on failures
* Safe and Arm (S&A) mechanism design (Expert): Designed electrical or electromechanical S&A devices
* High reliability electronics (Advanced): Experience designing high reliability electronics systems for safety critical or mission critical systems
* Firing chain design (CDU / EFI) (Advanced): Designed capacitor discharge units; selected/qualified EFI. Experience performing or overseeing HERO margin analysis
* Self-destruct / self-neutralize design (Advanced): Designed self-destruct/neutralization mechanisms to reduce UxO
* Fuze system-level requirements decomposition (Advanced): Traces system requirements to ESD, S&A, firing circuit, and software; manages RVTM
* Target detection & classification (Intermediate): Working knowledge of magnetic influence, seismic, acoustic, or pressure-based target sensing systems
* Built-in test (BIT) design for fuze systems (Advanced): Designed continuous and power-on BIT for S&A, battery, and sensor health; fault lockout logic; experience with BIT coverage analysis
Highly Desired Differentiators:
* AFSRB board presenter: Has personally presented to the AFSRB — extremely rare; commands immediate credibility within the Air Force fuze community
* Multi-service fuze programs: Delivered fuzes for two or more military services (Army Navy, or AF Army), demonstrating breadth across service-specific requirements
* Proximity fuze / active sensing: Designed active proximity fuze systems (RF, laser, acoustic) in addition to passive influence fuzing
* Autonomous system integration (UAS/UGV payloads): Integrated fuze with autonomous delivery platforms
* MOSA / open architecture fuzing: Designed fuzes to modular open systems architecture (MOSA) principles; plug-and-play payload integration
* Digital twin / simulation: Built quantitative physics-based fuze simulations for firing chain timing, magnetic signature modeling, or safety FTA
* Picatinny / NSWC / AFRL lab background: Government lab background in fuze engineering — brings inside understanding of Government test and qualification processes
* University relationships: Maintains academic connections (Colorado School of Mines, Penn State ICT, Auburn, Purdue, Texas A&M ballistic programs) for talent pipeline support
Our Commitment to You:
* An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
* Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation’s security
* Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work, if desired (9/80 schedule)
* Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more
Workplace Options:
*This position is fully onsite or hybrid/flex with opportunity to be fully remote/telework for candidates with strong experience and background. If remote, 25% travel to Ft. Wayne, Indiana site with possibility of surge support based on scheduled events.
*While on-site, you will be a part of the Advanced Electronics Systems team located in Ft Wayne, Indiana
Skills and Certifications
*Environmental Testing of Fuze Systems
*Environmental Sensing Design
*Safe and Arm Mechanism Design
*Firing Chain Design
*Fuze System-Level Requirements Decomposition
*Self-Destruct / Self-Neutralize Design
*Built-in test (BIT) design for fuze systems
*Security Clearance Required: Yes
Compensation:
*Full-time
*Benefits - Full
Candidate Details:
*10 to 15 years experience
*Seniority Level - Mid-Senior
*Minimum Education - Bachelor's Degree
*Willingness to Travel - Often
Ideal Candidate:
*Candidate needs to have an active Dept. of Defense Secret clearance.
*Experience with Fuze systems
*Environmental Sensing Design
*Environmental Testing of Fuze Systems
*Firing Chain Design (CDU/EFI)
*Safe and Arm (S&A) Mechanism Design
Work-Life Balance:
* Flexible schedules including a 9/80 option (every other Friday off)
* Generous paid time off and parental leave
* Employees consistently highlight low micromanagement and autonomy in their roles
* Strong Benefits
* 401(k) with 6% company match and immediate vesting
* Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
* Life and disability coverage
* Tuition assistance for continued education
Meaningful, Impactful Work:
* A team of 12,000 professionals engineering high-tech solutions across defense and scientific domains
* Employees get to work on challenging projects that contribute to national security and scientific advancement
Collaborative Environment:
* Employees praise the supportive, collaborative culture -- "Everyone helped each other in a time of need"
* Strong community involvement and veteran support programs
Employee Loyalty:
* Average employee tenure of 12 years, which speaks to long-term satisfaction and retention
* 4.0 out of 5 stars on Indeed in 2026
Salary : $165,000 - $175,000