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Principal Systems Engineer

Crystal Group
Rapids, IA Full Time
POSTED ON 10/22/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/20/2026
Job Description

Job Title: Principal Systems Engineer

Reports to: Director, Engineering

Department: Engineering

Work Model: Full-time, On-site – No travel required

Schedule: Monday – Friday 8am-5pm

Company & Benefit Information

At Crystal Group, we do hard things – designing and building rugged tech and tech solutions that provide predictable performance in the world’s most unforgiving environments. As a 100% employee-owned company, here you take extreme ownership of your role and work and invest in your own success and that of your teammates. Together we use a zero limits approach to wow our customers.

Crystal Group Offers a Comprehensive Benefits Package Including

  • Medical/dental/vision insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Wellness programs
  • Participation in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
  • On-Site Gym

Job Summary

This position is responsible for selecting key electronics technologies utilized in the development of products and product families for the company. Acts as the intermediary between the design and compliance engineering teams who collects the requirements from the customer and the sales department who requests the design. Systems Engineer is a combination of technologist, product line engineer, and systems engineer.

Essential Functions

  • Select system components and technologies that not only have excellent performance and long life but also can be ruggedized for the military market segment of our business
  • Lead the engineering activity in systems engineering, benchmark testing, and requirements validation
  • Responsible for maintenance of the Product Offering Technical Solution to document the as-built system configuration
  • Lead and work with the mechanical and electrical engineers committed by the Design Engineering Manager to successfully complete the project
  • Provide technical assistance and process input to the Project Managers for their successful delivery of their assigned projects
  • Lead the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) / Critical Design Review (CDR) and manage the PDR / CDR artifacts associated with their projects
  • Key resource to Manufacturing, Engineering, and Executive Management during normal operations

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

  • Extensive knowledge in current and future technology trends to provide high-performance computing, networking, display, and system integration options
  • Has a clear understanding of how to develop a computer server, integrate related technologies, and options to maximize utility by a customer
  • Travel to customer sites and have a flexible work schedule
  • Demonstrated ability to operate lab equipment
  • Manage multiple tasks at once, as well as prioritize them in order to hit deadlines
  • To train and mentor others in core departmental duties
  • Effectively lead large multi-disciplinary teams on vaguely-defined projects with little supervision, oversight, and coaching provided
  • Able to identify inter-departmental process deficiencies, propose viable solutions, and implement appropriate corrective action(s) with moderate managerial support provided

Required Qualifications

  • Must be a US Person (US Citizen, person granted US Permanent Resident Card or any individual who is granted status as a "protected person”)
  • Bachelors of Science degree in an Engineering field and 10 years of engineering related experience

Working Conditions

Work is primarily performed in an office environment. Occasional exposure to manufacturing floor and testing environments. May require lifting up to 25 lbs, standing for extended periods during product testing, and occasional travel (up to 25%).

EEO Statement

Crystal Group, Inc, maintains a program of equal employment opportunity designed to ensure that employment and advancement opportunities are made available to all employees and applicants on the basis of individual qualifications and without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, disability, age, sex, genetic information, military status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Offer Contingency

All job offers are contingent on the applicant successfully completing the background check and drug screen.

  • This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other responsibilities as necessary. Employment with Crystal Group remains at-will.

EEO IS THE LAW

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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (Spanish)

Salary.com Estimation for Principal Systems Engineer in Rapids, IA
$112,372 to $135,806
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