Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Weapons Fuzing

Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Weapons Fuzing_Fort Wayne, IN_Full-Time(FTE)_Direct Hire
Position Title: Senior Principal Systems Engineer - Weapons FuzingJob Type: Full-TimeLocation: Fort Wayne, INBase Salary: $165,000 to $175,000 + Best-in-class benefitsIndustry: Aerospace / Aviation / DefenseJob Category: Engineering - SystemsDepartment of Defense Secret security clearance is required at time of hire.
Job Description:Basic Qualifications:Education Requirements:
*Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree, plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.
Clearance Requirements:
*Department of Defense Secret security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.
Job Description:Required Skills and Expertise:
* ESAD/ESAF Architecture & Design (Expert): Led design of fielded ESAD/ESAF; can independently architect ESD, S&A, and firing chain; Experience designing systems compliant to MIL-STD-1316 or MIL-STD-1911* Environmental Sensing design (Expert): Designed sensing systems that sense environment conditions such as release, setback, spin, and all-up-round environments* Environmental testing of fuze systems (Expert): Designed qualification tests for fuzing systems iaw JOTP, MIL-STD-331, and MIL-STD-810; performed environmental qualification; performed failure and root cause analysis on failures* Safe and Arm (S&A) mechanism design (Expert): Designed electrical or electromechanical S&A devices* High reliability electronics (Advanced): Experience designing high reliability electronics systems for safety critical or mission critical systems* Firing chain design (CDU / EFI) (Advanced): Designed capacitor discharge units; selected/qualified EFI. Experience performing or overseeing HERO margin analysis* Self-destruct / self-neutralize design (Advanced): Designed self-destruct/neutralization mechanisms to reduce UxO* Fuze system-level requirements decomposition (Advanced): Traces system requirements to ESD, S&A, firing circuit, and software; manages RVTM* Target detection & classification (Intermediate): Working knowledge of magnetic influence, seismic, acoustic, or pressure-based target sensing systems* Built-in test (BIT) design for fuze systems (Advanced): Designed continuous and power-on BIT for S&A, battery, and sensor health; fault lockout logic; experience with BIT coverage analysis
Highly Desired Differentiators:
* AFSRB board presenter: Has personally presented to the AFSRB — extremely rare; commands immediate credibility within the Air Force fuze community* Multi-service fuze programs: Delivered fuzes for two or more military services (Army + Navy, or AF + Army), demonstrating breadth across service-specific requirements* Proximity fuze / active sensing: Designed active proximity fuze systems (RF, laser, acoustic) in addition to passive influence fuzing* Autonomous system integration (UAS/UGV payloads): Integrated fuze with autonomous delivery platforms* MOSA / open architecture fuzing: Designed fuzes to modular open systems architecture (MOSA) principles; plug-and-play payload integration* Digital twin / simulation: Built quantitative physics-based fuze simulations for firing chain timing, magnetic signature modeling, or safety FTA* Picatinny / NSWC / AFRL lab background: Government lab background in fuze engineering — brings inside understanding of Government test and qualification processes* University relationships: Maintains academic connections (Colorado School of Mines, Penn State ICT, Auburn, Purdue, Texas A&M ballistic programs) for talent pipeline support
Our Commitment to You:
* An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.* Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation’s security* Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work, if desired (9/80 schedule)* Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more
Workplace Options:
*This position is fully onsite or hybrid/flex with opportunity to be fully remote/telework for candidates with strong experience and background. If remote, 25% travel to Ft. Wayne, Indiana site with possibility of surge support based on scheduled events.
*While on-site, you will be a part of the Advanced Electronics Systems team located in Ft Wayne, Indiana
Skills and Certifications*Environmental Testing of Fuze Systems*Environmental Sensing Design*Safe and Arm Mechanism Design*Firing Chain Design*Fuze System-Level Requirements Decomposition*Self-Destruct / Self-Neutralize Design*Built-in test (BIT) design for fuze systems*Security Clearance Required: Yes
Compensation:*Full-time*Benefits - Full
Candidate Details:*10+ to 15 years experience*Seniority Level - Mid-Senior*Minimum Education - Bachelor's Degree*Willingness to Travel - Often
Ideal Candidate:*Candidate needs to have an active Dept. of Defense Secret clearance.*Experience with Fuze systems*Environmental Sensing Design*Environmental Testing of Fuze Systems*Firing Chain Design (CDU/EFI)*Safe and Arm (S&A) Mechanism Design
Work-Life Balance:* Flexible schedules including a 9/80 option (every other Friday off)* Generous paid time off and parental leave* Employees consistently highlight low micromanagement and autonomy in their roles* Strong Benefits* 401(k) with 6% company match and immediate vesting* Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance* Life and disability coverage* Tuition assistance for continued education
Meaningful, Impactful Work:* A team of 12,000+ professionals engineering high-tech solutions across defense and scientific domains* Employees get to work on challenging projects that contribute to national security and scientific advancement
Collaborative Environment:* Employees praise the supportive, collaborative culture -- "Everyone helped each other in a time of need"* Strong community involvement and veteran support programs
Employee Loyalty:* Average employee tenure of 12 years, which speaks to long-term satisfaction and retention* 4.0 out of 5 stars on Indeed in 2026