Senior Principal System Engineer

Leonard Workforce Solutions is conducting a confidential search on behalf of a leading engineering and manufacturing organization seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to lead the development of highly complex optical systems. This is a senior level technical leadership role responsible for guiding cross functional teams through the full system lifecycle, from requirements definition through integration, verification, and validation. The ideal candidate will bring deep systems engineering expertise and experience working with optical, mechanical, and electrical subsystems in advanced product environments.

The Senior Principal Systems Engineer directs planning, execution, and documentation efforts for some of the organization’s largest and most technically complex programs. This individual will serve as a primary technical interface with customers and stakeholders, define system architecture, manage requirements and risk, and ensure successful program execution.

• Develop Concepts of Operations and define stakeholder requirements based on customer needs
• Derive, decompose, and manage system, subsystem, and component requirements throughout the full lifecycle
• Define and document system architecture and functional behavior
• Analyze and manage the impact of design changes on system level requirements
• Conduct trade studies and technical option analyses balancing cost, risk, and performance
• Evaluate technical readiness and manufacturing readiness
• Identify project and product risks and elevate appropriately
• Lead system and subsystem integration, verification, and validation planning and execution
• Troubleshoot system level failures and lead root cause and corrective action efforts
• Interface directly with customers to define requirements and provide status updates
• Communicate plans, risks, and technical updates to executive leadership and cross functional teams
• Mentor and develop junior engineers
• Drive process improvement initiatives within the engineering organization
• Represent the company through technical publications, webinars, and industry engagement

• Minimum of 20 years of relevant experience in systems engineering or systems test, preferably in optics related environments
• Strong knowledge of systems engineering principles and full product realization lifecycle
• Experience managing technical requirements, configuration management, and risk
• Familiarity with model based systems engineering techniques
• Working knowledge of Agile methodologies
• Experience with tools such as MS Project, MS Visio, SysML, IBM Rational Rhapsody, Excel, Power
  
  BI, Matlab, or Minitab
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines including optical, mechanical, and electrical engineering
• US Citizenship or Permanent Residency required

Base salary range: $150,000 to $175,000 annually. Final compensation will be based on experience, technical depth, and alignment with business needs.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life, AD&D, Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 401k with Company Match
• Daycare and Gym Reimbursement
• Ongoing Training and Development

If you are a senior level systems engineering leader with deep technical expertise and experience driving complex engineering programs, we encourage you to apply. Leonard Workforce Solutions will maintain confidentiality throughout the search process.

Leonard Workforce Solutions is committed to diversity and inclusivity.