Systems Engineer

Job title: Systems Engineer

Description

Systems Engineer Space & Optical Sensor Systems

We are seeking a Systems Engineer to support the development, integration, and testing of advanced space-based electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor and payload systems.

This position will support programs throughout the engineering lifecycle, including concept development, system architecture, requirements development, hardware/software integration, verification and validation, test, production support, and operational deployment.

Candidates may have a background in systems engineering, electrical systems, embedded/software systems, or system integration and test. The ideal candidate brings strong multidisciplinary engineering experience and the ability to work across hardware, software, electrical, optical, and test organizations.

Key Responsibilities

Support development of EO/IR sensor and space payload architectures, requirements, interfaces, and operational concepts.

Develop and manage system, subsystem, hardware, software, and interface requirements throughout the engineering lifecycle.

Support system integration, verification and validation, and test of complex hardware/software systems.

Perform engineering analysis, trade studies, modeling, simulation, and technical risk assessment.

Work across electrical, software, optical, mechanical, and test disciplines to resolve system-level technical issues.

Support assembly, integration and test (AI&T) activities, including system verification, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.

Develop and maintain engineering documentation, interface control documents (ICDs), test procedures, verification plans, and technical deliverables.

Participate in technical and design reviews and communicate engineering results to technical leadership, customers, and program management.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.

Experience developing or integrating complex aerospace, defense, space, sensor, or EO/IR systems.

Experience with some combination of:

Systems architecture and requirements development

EO/IR sensors and payloads

Electrical/electronic systems

Embedded or real-time software

Hardware/software integration

Verification and validation

Assembly, integration and test

Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing

Automated test development

Familiarity with engineering tools and technologies such as Python, C/C++, embedded systems, modeling/simulation tools, requirements management tools, or automated test frameworks is beneficial.

Experience working with spacecraft, satellites, remote sensing, missile defense, ISR, optical sensors, or other mission-critical aerospace/defense systems is highly desirable.

Strong technical problem-solving, documentation, and communication skills.

Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

U.S. citizenship required.

Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance. Active clearance is preferred.

What We Are Really Looking For

If I were giving this to your recruiting team, I'd tell them to focus on these 5 things:

Space / EO-IR / sensor systems experience

Systems engineering: requirements, architecture, interfaces, V&V

Hardware/software integration and test

One deeper specialty: electrical, embedded/software, EO/IR, or test automation

Aerospace/defense background + U.S. citizen / clearance eligible

This is a Permanent position based out of Acton, MA.

The pay range for this position is $150000.00 - $200000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Medical, Vision, Dental, 401k, Bonus potential, Pension

This is a Permanent position based out of Acton, MA.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

This is a hybrid position in Acton,MA.

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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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 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.