Demo

Principal Systems Engineer

Leonardo DRS
Germantown, MD Full Time
POSTED ON 7/31/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 8/29/2026
Job description:

Job ID: 114318

 

DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems supporting the defense industry globally. The company is a global pioneer of AESA tactical radars for active military protection, counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance. 

Job Responsibilities
  • Responsible for driving technology and completion of activity on time and budget
  • Design, develop, analyze, document and support testing of products, systems or subsystems  
  • Ability to complete a technical project independently and mentor and coach other engineers. Review customer specifications and requirements, and develop designs to best support them, including cost as a key design variable  
  • Provide budget, cost and schedule input for design assignments
  • Document component and subsystem specifications and material requirements
  • Analyze designs as necessary
  • Specify and evaluate supplier components, subsystems and services
  • Support the program design to cost and design for manufacture requirements
  • Develop prototypes to retire key development risks
  • Communicate clearly (written and oral) with manufacturing, supply chain, program management and the customer as required
  • Participates heavily in preparation of the more complex and significant proposals
  • Provides technical expertise and assistance to other engineers and support personnel
  • Interact with technical management, other professionals, technicians and support personnel to coordinate, recommend and confer regarding technical activities and progress
  • May mentor and coach the work of others as assigned
  • Support, communicate, reinforce and defend the mission, values and culture of the organization
  • Attend appropriate engineering, customer or business meetings
  • Mentor and coach less experienced engineers
  • Involved with the analysis, design, development and implementation of new and/or existing systems/sub-systems.  May include Architectural Design, Requirements Engineering, or others.  Determines system specifications.  Supports acquisition of hardware and software (or subcontractor services as needed).  
     
Qualifications

•    Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field or equivalent experience and a minimum of 8 years of integration engineering experience on a development contract including systems/hardware integration and troubleshooting
•    DOD Secret clearance or ability to obtain a clearance 
•    Competent technical expertise and application domain knowledge
•    Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team
•    Strong organizational skills and the ability to independently execute work tasks in a rapidly changing, fast-paced environment.
•    Strong written, communication, and presentation skills
•    Experience supporting DoD customers and processes

Preferred Qualifications

•    Experience or familiarity with various analytical and decisions aid tools (e.g. Cameo, MatLab, STK, etc.)
•    Experience with the DoD architectural framework and design guidance for radar systems and systems engineering processes
•    Ability to effectively collaborate with industry and academic partners
•    Excellent communication and presentation skills, ability to effectively communicate to senior leadership within the company, customer and academic communities
•    Prior experience integrating complex hardware/software systems
•    Prior experience operating radar systems
•    Strong analysis skills and abilities

U.S. Citizenship required. This position may require an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

The expected pay scale for this position is $130,801 - $176,581.00/year. Should the level, location, or scope of the position change during the hiring process, the pay scale may be modified accordingly. When extending an offer of employment, Leonardo DRS considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position; any Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, the candidate’s relevant work experience, education/training, certifications, and key skills; internal equity; and market and business considerations.

 

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours. 
*Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

 

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

We offer:

Competitive benefits and salary, 9/80 schedule, 401k, Paid Parental Leave, Paid Holidays, Tuition Reimbursement, and much more!

Salary : $130,801 - $176,581

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Principal Systems Engineer?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Principal Systems Engineer career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$163,289 - $195,234
Income Estimation: 
$136,356 - $178,393
Income Estimation: 
$117,033 - $148,289
Income Estimation: 
$150,859 - $181,127
Income Estimation: 
$169,825 - $204,021
Income Estimation: 
$166,631 - $195,636
Income Estimation: 
$162,237 - $199,353
Income Estimation: 
$181,083 - $218,117

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs with skills like those required for the Principal Systems Engineer.

Click the checkbox next to the jobs that you are interested in.

  • Concept Development Skill

    • Income Estimation: $70,684 - $92,141
    • Income Estimation: $69,778 - $97,698
  • Conceptual Design Skill

    • Income Estimation: $70,684 - $92,141
    • Income Estimation: $71,252 - $93,927
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Leonardo DRS

  • Leonardo DRS Danbury, CT
  • Job ID: 114544 The Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems business is a trusted provider of innovative naval gas and hybrid power systems, control technology and... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Leonardo DRS Bethel, CT
  • Job ID: 114876 The Leonardo DRS Naval Power Systems business is a trusted provider of innovative naval gas and hybrid power systems, control technology and... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Leonardo DRS Huntsville, AL
  • Job ID: 114453 The Leonardo DRS Land Electronics business provides C4I Network computing and integrated situational awareness, as well as state-of-the-art ... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Leonardo DRS Germantown, MD
  • Job ID: 113560 DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems supporting the de... more
  • 1 Day Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Principal Systems Engineer jobs in the Germantown, MD area that may be a better fit.

  • BAE Systems Springfield, VA
  • Job Description We are seeking an experienced Network & Application Support Engineer to join our team in support of a critical, long-standing contract with... more
  • 26 Days Ago

  • Associates Systems LLC Dulles, VA
  • ****Required Skill Sets: • Typically requires a Bachelor’s in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM preferred) and a minimum of 8 years of... more
  • 2 Months Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!