Defense Programs

Lead Electrical Engineer – Aircraft Systems Integration | Aerospace & Defense | Waco, TX

Lead Electrical Engineer – Aircraft Systems Integration

📍 Waco, Texas (100% Onsite)
💰 $150,000 - $170,000 Base Salary
🚚 Relocation Assistance Available
🕒 9/80 Schedule – Every Other Friday Off
✈️ Aerospace, Defense & Aircraft Modification Programs

Design the Systems That Power Mission-Critical Aircraft

An industry-leading aerospace and defense organization is seeking a Lead Electrical Engineer to support advanced aircraft modification and systems integration programs.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced electrical engineer who enjoys hands-on engineering, solving complex integration challenges, and seeing their designs deployed on real-world aircraft platforms.

You'll play a key role in the design, integration, testing, and verification of aircraft electrical systems, supporting major avionics upgrades, mission system integrations, power distribution systems, and aircraft modernization initiatives.

Whether your experience comes from aerospace, transportation, automotive, military vehicles, rail, heavy equipment, industrial controls, or other complex electrical systems environments, this role offers the chance to apply your expertise to some of the most advanced airborne platforms in operation today.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This isn't a desk-only design role.

You'll be involved throughout the full engineering lifecycle—from requirements and design through integration, troubleshooting, aircraft testing, and operational deployment.

You'll work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams while gaining direct exposure to aircraft systems, advanced avionics technologies, and mission-critical defense programs.

Highlights include:

  • Work directly on operational aircraft platforms

  • Lead complex electrical integration and modification projects

  • Design and validate aircraft power and signal interfaces

  • Participate in lab testing and aircraft testing activities

  • Influence technical solutions and engineering decisions

  • Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership

  • Outstanding long-term growth opportunities within aerospace and defense

What You'll Be Doing

Aircraft Electrical Systems Design

  • Design and develop electrical integration solutions for aircraft modification programs

  • Support avionics upgrades and aircraft systems modernization initiatives

  • Develop electrical interface designs and power distribution solutions

  • Apply electrical requirements and design standards to complex integration efforts

  • Generate professional engineering drawings, documentation, and technical reports

Systems Integration & Verification

  • Support integration of electrical, avionics, and mission systems

  • Evaluate wiring architectures, signal interfaces, and power requirements

  • Verify electrical interfaces and system compatibility

  • Troubleshoot integration issues and identify root causes

  • Support hardware installation and aircraft modification activities

Testing & Validation

  • Develop electrical test plans and verification procedures

  • Conduct testing in laboratory and aircraft environments

  • Analyze test results and resolve technical issues

  • Support qualification, acceptance, and operational testing activities

  • Ensure systems meet performance and customer requirements

Technical Leadership

  • Serve as a technical leader within the Electrical Engineering team

  • Support project planning, budget tracking, and schedule management

  • Mentor and develop junior engineers

  • Coordinate activities across engineering disciplines

  • Drive technical excellence and engineering best practices

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline

AND

  • Minimum 9 years of relevant engineering experience

OR

  • Master's Degree with 7+ years of relevant experience

OR

  • 13+ years of relevant experience in lieu of degree

Required Technical Experience

  • Electrical systems integration

  • Wiring and signal interface design

  • Electrical design for complex systems

  • Troubleshooting and verification testing

  • Interface control and systems integration activities

  • Experience with at least one electrical CAD platform

CAD Tool Experience

Experience with one or more of the following:

  • Visual Engineer

  • AutoCAD Electrical

  • Capital Harness

  • Similar electrical design and harness development tools

Highly Preferred Experience

Wire Harness & Interconnect Design

Candidates with experience in:

  • Wire harness design

  • Electrical routing

  • Connector selection

  • Signal integrity

  • Power distribution systems

  • Interface design

will be especially attractive.

Industry-specific aerospace experience is not required. Candidates from other complex engineering environments with strong electrical integration backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Aerospace & Military Standards

Exposure to any of the following is beneficial:

  • SAE AS50881

  • MIL-STD-704

  • MIL-E-7016

  • SAE ARP4754

  • MIL-STD-461

  • MIL-STD-810

  • MIL-STD-882

  • MIL-HDBK-516

Additional Preferred Experience

  • Aircraft systems integration

  • Avionics upgrades

  • Military aircraft modification programs

  • Power distribution systems

  • Digital and analog signal interfaces

  • System troubleshooting and root cause analysis

  • Engineering leadership or task leadership experience

Technical Knowledge Areas

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of:

  • Digital and analog signal interfaces

  • Voltage drop considerations

  • Timing requirements

  • Data communications and handshaking protocols

  • Electrical power distribution

  • System-level integration challenges

  • Verification and validation processes

Work Environment

This role combines office, laboratory, and aircraft environments.

Candidates should be comfortable:

  • Working directly on aircraft

  • Operating in aircraft hangars

  • Climbing into and around aircraft

  • Supporting installation and test activities

  • Working in confined areas when necessary

  • Participating in hands-on troubleshooting efforts

Security Requirements

Candidates must:

  • Be U.S. Citizens

  • Be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense Security Clearance

Preferred

  • Active DoD Secret Clearance

Travel & Schedule

✈️ Less than 10% travel

🕒 9/80 Schedule

Enjoy every other Friday off while supporting exciting aerospace programs.

Occasional overtime may be required based on program schedules and testing activities.

Compensation & Benefits

💰 Base Salary: $150,000 - $170,000

Additional benefits include:

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

  • Retirement savings plans

  • Paid time off and company holidays

  • Relocation assistance for qualified candidates

  • Interview travel reimbursement

  • Professional development opportunities

  • Long-term career advancement within a growing aerospace organization

Why Join?

This is a unique opportunity to work on highly visible aircraft modernization and systems integration programs where your engineering expertise will directly influence the performance, reliability, and capability of mission-critical aircraft.

You'll join a team that values technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning while offering exposure to cutting-edge aerospace technologies and complex engineering challenges.

If you're an experienced Electrical Engineer with strong systems integration and wire harness design experience looking for your next career-defining opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.

 

Information System Security Engineer (ISSE) – TS/SCI Full Scope Poly – Annapolis Junction, MD

Information System Security Engineer (ISSE) – TS/SCI Full Scope Poly

📍 Location: Annapolis Junction, MD
🏢 Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🔒 Security Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph (NSA Preferred)
🇺🇸 Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Required
🎓 Certification Required: DoD 8570/8140 IASAE Level II Compliant Certification
🚫 Visa Sponsorship: Not Available
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Available
💰 Compensation: $100,000 – $200,000 Base Salary

Overview

A leading government technology contractor is seeking Information System Security Engineers (ISSEs) to support mission-critical classified government programs.

This role focuses on integrating cybersecurity engineering principles throughout the entire system lifecycle, including system design, implementation, accreditation, continuous monitoring, and sustainment. The ISSE will play a critical role in Risk Management Framework (RMF) execution, Assessment & Authorization (A&A) activities, security control validation, and ongoing cybersecurity compliance.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong blend of cybersecurity engineering, RMF expertise, technical security assessment experience, and security architecture knowledge within highly secure classified environments.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Management Framework (RMF)

  • Support the full RMF lifecycle for classified information systems.

  • Develop and maintain RMF documentation and security artifacts.

  • Assist with Authority to Operate (ATO) activities and sustainment.

  • Support Assessment & Authorization (A&A) efforts.

  • Maintain body-of-evidence packages for accreditation activities.

Security Engineering

  • Implement and validate security controls.

  • Perform Security Control Traceability and technical validation.

  • Support system boundary definition and security architecture development.

  • Conduct technical security assessments and risk analysis.

  • Recommend security improvements and mitigation strategies.

Compliance & Continuous Monitoring

  • Participate in Continuous Monitoring (ConMon) activities.

  • Conduct compliance assessments and security reviews.

  • Analyze vulnerability scan results and remediation efforts.

  • Verify remediation effectiveness and identify false positives.

  • Ensure ongoing compliance with cybersecurity requirements.

Vulnerability Management & Hardening

  • Support vulnerability management programs.

  • Implement and validate STIG compliance.

  • Support patch validation and security compliance efforts.

  • Assist with system hardening initiatives.

  • Coordinate remediation activities with technical teams.

Stakeholder Collaboration

  • Work closely with:

    • ISSOs

    • ISSMs

    • Security Control Assessors (SCAs)

    • System Owners

    • System Administrators

  • Support accreditation, compliance, and cybersecurity engineering efforts across mission systems.

Required Qualifications

Security Requirements

✔ Active TS/SCI Clearance

✔ Active Full Scope Polygraph (NSA Preferred)

✔ U.S. Citizenship Required

Certification Requirement

✔ DoD 8570/8140 IASAE Level II Compliant Certification

Examples include:

  • CISSP

  • CASP+

  • CCSP

  • CSSLP

Cybersecurity & RMF Experience

Strong experience with:

  • Risk Management Framework (RMF)

  • Assessment & Authorization (A&A)

  • Authority to Operate (ATO)

  • Security Control Implementation

  • Security Control Validation

  • Continuous Monitoring (ConMon)

NIST Knowledge

Strong familiarity with:

  • NIST SP 800-37

  • NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 3 and/or Rev. 5

  • Security Control Frameworks

  • RMF Compliance Processes

RMF & Compliance Tools

Experience with one or more of:

  • LATTEART

  • XACTA

  • BISCOTTI

  • WATCHCAT

  • STE

Additional experience with:

  • Compliance scanning tools

  • Configuration assessment tools

  • Vulnerability management platforms

Core ISSE Skill Areas

Security Engineering

  • Security Control Implementation

  • Security Control Validation

  • Security Architecture Support

  • System Boundary Definition

Compliance & Accreditation

  • Assessment & Authorization (A&A)

  • RMF Artifact Development

  • Accreditation Package Support

  • Body of Evidence Management

Vulnerability Management

  • Vulnerability Analysis

  • Remediation Tracking

  • Patch Validation

  • STIG Compliance

  • Security Hardening

Risk Management

  • Technical Risk Analysis

  • Compliance Validation

  • Continuous Monitoring (ConMon)

  • Security Assessment Support

Preferred Qualifications

Government & Classified Environment Experience

  • Classified Government cybersecurity programs.

  • Large-scale enterprise systems.

  • Mission-critical environments.

Technical Infrastructure Exposure

Experience supporting:

  • Enterprise Linux environments

  • Network infrastructure

  • Cloud environments

Stakeholder Coordination

Experience collaborating with:

  • ISSOs

  • ISSMs

  • Security Control Assessors

  • System Owners

  • Engineering Teams

Must-Have Requirements

Clearance

✅ Active TS/SCI Clearance

✅ Active Full Scope Polygraph

Certification

✅ IASAE Level II Certification

Cybersecurity

✅ RMF Experience

✅ A&A Experience

✅ ATO Experience

✅ Security Control Validation

Compliance

✅ Continuous Monitoring

✅ Vulnerability Management

✅ STIG Implementation

Documentation

✅ RMF Artifacts

✅ Accreditation Packages

✅ Security Documentation

Screening Questions

  1. Do you currently hold an active TS/SCI clearance with a Full Scope Polygraph?

  2. Was your Full Scope Polygraph issued by NSA?

  3. When was your most recent Full Scope Polygraph completed?

  4. Which IASAE Level II certification do you currently hold (CISSP, CASP+, CCSP, CSSLP, etc.)?

  5. How many years of ISSE or cybersecurity engineering experience do you have?

  6. Have you supported the full RMF lifecycle, including A&A and ATO activities?

  7. Which RMF tools have you used (XACTA, LATTEART, BISCOTTI, WATCHCAT, STE)?

  8. Do you have experience implementing and validating security controls?

  9. Have you supported STIG implementation, vulnerability remediation, and compliance validation?

  10. Do you have experience supporting classified government systems?

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will:

  • Hold an active TS/SCI Full Scope Polygraph.

  • Possess an active IASAE Level II certification.

  • Have strong cybersecurity engineering experience within classified environments.

  • Be highly knowledgeable in RMF, A&A, and ATO processes.

  • Understand security architecture, control implementation, and compliance validation.

  • Have experience supporting vulnerability management and STIG compliance.

  • Demonstrate excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and documentation skills.

  • Balance mission objectives with cybersecurity requirements and risk management practices.

Candidate Snapshot

Requirement

Details

Clearance

Active TS/SCI + Full Scope Poly

Citizenship

U.S. Citizen

Experience Level

Mid-Level to Senior

Certification

IASAE Level II Required

Frameworks

RMF, NIST 800-37, NIST 800-53

Compliance

A&A, ATO, ConMon

Security

Control Implementation & Validation

Documentation

RMF Artifacts & Accreditation Packages

Tools

XACTA, LATTEART, BISCOTTI, WATCHCAT, STE

Location

Annapolis Junction, MD

Work Arrangement

100% Onsite

Travel

None

Compensation

$100K – $200K

Relocation

Available

Why This Opportunity?

Mission Impact

Support highly classified systems that directly contribute to critical national security missions.

Cybersecurity Engineering Focus

Move beyond compliance into hands-on security engineering, architecture support, security control validation, and accreditation activities.

Technical Growth

Gain exposure to advanced RMF processes, security engineering practices, vulnerability management, and enterprise cybersecurity operations.

Strong Benefits Package

  • 3 Weeks PTO

  • 11 Federal Holidays

  • Medical & Dental Coverage

  • Life Insurance

  • STD & LTD Coverage

  • 401(k) with Company Match

  • Long-Term Career Development

This opportunity is ideal for an Information System Security Engineer (ISSE), Cybersecurity Engineer, RMF Engineer, Security Compliance Engineer, Cybersecurity Architect, A&A Specialist, or Security Controls Engineer with an active TS/SCI Full Scope Polygraph and IASAE Level II certification seeking to support highly sensitive government programs.

 

Business Segment Director – Space Mission Systems | TS/SCI Poly | Scottsdale, AZ

Business Segment Director – Space Mission Systems

📍 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona / Remote Flexibility Available
🏢 Work Model: Remote with Travel Requirements
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🔐 Security Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI Clearance Required at Time of Hire
🔒 CI Polygraph Preferred (Must be eligible and willing to obtain post-hire if not currently held)

💰 Compensation & Benefits

  • Base Salary: $200,000 – $290,000
    (Depending on experience and qualifications)

  • Full comprehensive benefits package

  • Relocation assistance available for ideal candidates

  • Interview travel reimbursement provided

📍 Location & Travel Expectations

  • The role can ultimately be performed remotely with travel as needed

  • However, the first 3 months will require significant onsite presence in Scottsdale to support onboarding, stakeholder integration, and operational ramp-up

  • Following this initial period, candidates may be based remotely but must be willing to travel when required for program, customer, and leadership engagements

🚀 The Opportunity

A leading defense and aerospace organization is seeking a Business Segment Director to lead a portfolio of advanced national security and space mission programs supporting critical missions globally.

The portfolio includes technologies and programs related to:

  • Data networking & secure data transport

  • Cybersecurity & high-assurance cryptography

  • Mission-critical space systems

  • Satellites & embedded mission technologies

  • Secure communications & networking platforms

This executive leadership role oversees high-value development and production programs and is responsible for strategic growth, operational execution, customer engagement, financial performance, and organizational leadership across a highly complex classified portfolio.

The ideal candidate is a proven defense industry executive with deep expertise across space systems, secure technologies, avionics, cybersecurity, cryptographic solutions, or embedded mission systems, combined with strong operational leadership and business development capabilities.

🔧 Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

  • Lead and expand a portfolio of mission-critical defense and space programs

  • Develop and execute short- and long-term business growth strategies

  • Identify and capture adjacent and new business opportunities

  • Drive business development and customer engagement initiatives

  • Support strategic portfolio growth within national security and classified environments

Program & Operational Leadership

  • Oversee execution of complex development and production programs

  • Manage financial, operational, schedule, and customer satisfaction objectives

  • Ensure successful delivery across highly classified and technically complex environments

  • Balance mission urgency, execution discipline, and customer expectations

  • Lead operational performance across multiple programs and business initiatives

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Serve as senior interface to government and defense customers

  • Build trusted relationships across:

    • Space systems organizations

    • Cryptographic and cybersecurity communities

    • Networking and avionics sectors

    • Certification and mission authorities

  • Communicate effectively with executive, operational, and technical stakeholders

  • Represent the business segment with senior internal and external leadership

Organizational & Team Leadership

  • Lead and mentor high-performing engineering and program leadership teams

  • Drive accountability, collaboration, and organizational alignment

  • Support transformation and change management initiatives

  • Foster an inclusive, innovative, and mission-focused culture

  • Build and sustain high-performing cross-functional teams

Technical & Mission Leadership

  • Support programs involving:

    • Satellites and space mission systems

    • Secure networking solutions

    • High-assurance cryptographic systems

    • Embedded mission technologies

    • Secure communications platforms

  • Collaborate across engineering, operations, and customer teams to deliver mission success

  • Support Agile development environments and innovation initiatives

  • Identify opportunities for AI-enabled operational improvements and efficiencies

✅ Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required

  • 15+ years of leadership experience within defense contracting or related national security environments

  • Proven experience managing:

    • Complex development programs

    • Production programs

    • Large portfolios or business segments

  • Strong expertise in one or more of the following areas:

    • Space systems

    • Satellites

    • Cryptography

    • Cybersecurity

    • Secure networking

    • National security systems

  • Active TS/SCI clearance required at time of hire

  • Ability and willingness to obtain CI Polygraph clearance

  • U.S. Citizenship required

⭐ Preferred Background

  • Embedded systems or avionics experience

  • Experience supporting compartmented programs

  • Agile development environment experience

  • Existing relationships across aerospace and defense communities

  • Experience operating within large matrix organizations

  • Strong financial and operational leadership capability

  • Experience leading organizational transformation initiatives

🛠️ Core Skills

✔ Strategic Planning
✔ Business Development
✔ Program Execution
✔ Space Systems Leadership
✔ Cryptographic Solutions
✔ Cybersecurity
✔ Financial Management
✔ Customer Relationship Management
✔ Change Management
✔ Team Leadership
✔ Defense Contracting
✔ Agile Development
✔ Operational Leadership
✔ National Security Programs

🎯 Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an executive-level aerospace or defense leader who:

  • Brings deep expertise across mission-critical national security programs

  • Understands complex space mission systems and secure technologies

  • Has successfully led large organizations through growth and transformation

  • Combines strong operational execution with strategic business leadership

  • Is highly customer-facing and trusted within classified defense environments

  • Thrives in fast-moving, high-accountability mission environments

  • Demonstrates strong leadership presence, communication, and stakeholder management capability

🌟 Why This Role Stands Out

  • Lead highly strategic national security and space mission programs

  • Influence cutting-edge technologies in cybersecurity, cryptography, and secure space systems

  • Significant executive visibility and organizational influence

  • Opportunity to shape the future of secure space mission capabilities

  • Join a highly respected defense and aerospace organization supporting critical global missions

  • Strong long-term growth and leadership opportunity

📋 Additional Details

  • Travel required based on program and customer needs

  • Director-level executive leadership position

  • Relocation assistance available for exceptional candidates

  • Candidates must possess an active TS/SCI clearance and be eligible to obtain a CI Polygraph

  • Remote flexibility available following initial onboarding period

Recruiter Summary

This is a highly visible executive leadership opportunity within a premier aerospace and defense environment supporting advanced national security and space mission programs. The position offers the opportunity to lead complex classified portfolios involving secure communications, cybersecurity, cryptography, satellites, and mission-critical technologies while influencing long-term strategic growth and operational direction across the organization.

Ideal candidates will bring a blend of strategic leadership, operational excellence, technical credibility, customer engagement experience, and deep understanding of classified defense environments.

 

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