Principal EO/IR Systems Engineer

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Principal EO/IR Systems Engineer based in the United States. This is a high-impact engineering opportunity focused on the development of advanced electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems for complex aerospace applications. You will work within a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists to solve challenging technical problems and advance innovative system capabilities. The role spans system architecture, requirements engineering, modeling, integration, laboratory testing, and ground and flight-test activities. You will collaborate closely with internal teams, customers, technical stakeholders, and strategic suppliers throughout the development lifecycle. Your expertise will directly contribute to system performance, verification, qualification, and successful mission outcomes. The environment values technical rigor, independent problem-solving, leadership, and the ability to communicate effectively across disciplines. Based in Melbourne, Florida , this is an on-site role operating on a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off and approximately 10% travel. Design and develop EO/IR system architectures, including hardware/software integration, testing, certification, and requirements analysis. Decompose, derive, allocate, tailor, document, and trace requirements from the system level through component-level architectures. Conduct architecture trade studies, performance analyses, technology readiness assessments, and evaluations of current and emerging supplier technologies. Apply model-based systems engineering (MBSE) practices to capture system requirements, interfaces, behaviors, structures, and parametric relationships. Develop and maintain supplier documentation, performance-based specifications, statements of work, evaluation criteria, and technical assessment materials. Provide technical management and oversight of strategic suppliers and partners throughout acquisition, acceptance, qualification, integration, and testing. Review supplier development documentation and participate in technical interchange meetings, design reviews, and technical evaluations. Plan and execute laboratory, ground, and flight testing to verify and validate subsystem requirements, troubleshoot hardware, and support final system sell-off. Collaborate with mission planning and engineering teams to integrate solutions aligned with platform and mission objectives. Lead technical discussions with customers, management, suppliers, and cross-functional teams while proactively identifying risks, issues, dependencies, and opportunities. Apply strong technical leadership and systems thinking to understand how engineering decisions affect broader program objectives and adjacent teams. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with at least 5 years of related professional or military engineering experience; alternatively, a Master’s degree with 3 years of relevant experience or a Ph.D. with 1 year of relevant experience. Demonstrated knowledge of EO/IR phenomenology and experience working with electro-optical or infrared systems. Proven experience decomposing, deriving, allocating, and tracing technical requirements across system and component levels. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with technical, programmatic, customer, and supplier stakeholders. Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary engineering teams and navigating complex technical environments. Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, analytical, and decision-making capabilities, with the ability to quickly assimilate new concepts and work independently. Experience with EO/IR system or atmospheric modeling, laboratory testing, hardware/software verification, or concept development is highly desirable. Familiarity with MBSE and SysML tools such as Cameo, as well as collaboration p