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Senior Principal Systems Engineer

Leonardo DRS
Cypress, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/8/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/7/2026
Job ID: 114140

Location: Cypress CA

Schedule: 9/80

DRS Space Systems in Cypress, CA develops advanced space mission payloads, leveraging cutting edge electro-optical and infrared space sensors, instruments, and software for key domestic and international allied customers. As part of DRS’s Electro Optical Infrared Systems (EOIS) line of business, we offer an exciting and challenging work environment, a competitive salary and benefits package, and a business culture that rewards performance.

Employing the world’s brightest. Supporting the world’s bravest.

Job Summary

Job Responsibilities

  • Involved with the analysis, design, development and implementation of new and/or existing systems/sub-systems. May include Architectural Design, Requirements Engineering, or others. Determine system specifications. Support acquisition of hardware and software (or subcontractor services as needed).
  • 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
  • Mentor and coach other engineers.
  • Review customer specifications and requirements, and develop designs to best support them, including cost as a key design variable
  • Ability to lead major problem resolution efforts and support regaining or attaining customer partner status.
  • Be a key member of the new business capture team.
  • Provide budget, cost and schedule input for design assignments
  • Document component and subsystem specifications and material requirements
  • Analyze designs as necessary. Responsible for higher-level product line architecture, and providing guidance and oversight to multiple development teams working on different products or technologies to ensure the technologies interoperate or connect to each other appropriately.
  • Attend appropriate engineering, customer or business meetings
  • Actively support pursuit of new business by developing and presenting new concepts, technologies or applications as part of Business Development and Program Management team.
  • Develop trusted engineering contacts with the customer. Become a part of the customer’s design team, looking out for their best interests
  • 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
  • Participate heavily in preparation of the more complex and significant proposals
  • Provide 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

Qualifications

Job Responsibilities Part II

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field with a minimum of 10 years of experience
  • Mastery of technologies and domain knowledge
  • Expected to have knowledge and significant experience in multiple engineering disciplines
  • Ability to lead major problem resolution efforts and support regaining or attaining customer partner status.

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

The salary range for this position is $150,452/year-$233,578/year. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

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.

Salary : $150,452 - $233,578

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