Senior System Engineer

Northwest Partners is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to join a leading defense and aerospace organization focused on rugged computing, secure communications, avionics support technologies, and mission-critical solutions. This is an opportunity to work on complex defense technology programs where systems engineering, technical problem-solving, and product lifecycle expertise directly contribute to mission success. The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of engineering experience within defense, aerospace, rugged electronics, mission systems, or a similar complex hardware environment.

What You Will do

• Lead system-level design, integration, and validation of rugged computing, communications, embedded electronics, and mission-critical systems.
• Develop and maintain system architectures, requirements, interface specifications, and technical documentation.
• Support trade studies, technical reviews, risk assessments, and qualification activities.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, manufacturing, quality, and operations teams.
• Support engineering activities across the complete product lifecycle, from concept and prototype through qualification, production, and sustainment.
• Support configuration management, BOMs, engineering drawings, revision control, ECNs, and technical data packages.
• Participate in root-cause analysis, failure investigations, corrective actions, and production troubleshooting.
• Work with Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain to support manufacturing readiness.
• Support DFM/DFA, testability, maintainability, reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure engineering activities align with applicable defense, aerospace, quality, cybersecurity, and export-control requirements.
• Engage with customers to understand technical requirements and resolve engineering challenges.
• Support proposals, SOWs, estimates, compliance matrices, customer reviews, and technical presentations.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of engineering experience within defense, aerospace, rugged electronics, mission systems, or a similar complex hardware environment.
• Strong experience with systems architecture, requirements development, system integration, and technical problem-solving.
• Experience supporting products through development, qualification, production, and sustainment.
• Experience with configuration management, BOMs, drawings, ECNs, and revision control.
• Experience with MIL-STD-810 and MIL-STD-461.
• Knowledge of AS9100D and/or ISO 9001.
• Understanding of ITAR, DFARS, NIST 800-171, cybersecurity, and government-contracting requirements.
• Experience with ERP and/or PLM systems.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Disclaimer: All candidates will be asked to briefly show a government-issued ID on video during the first interview. This step protects the integrity of the hiring process given the rise in applicant impersonation and employment fraud.

Benefits Include:

Health Insurance, Vision Insurance, Dental Insurance, Short term Disability, Long-term Disability, Life Insurance, Education Benefits and more.

About Northwest Partners

Northwest Partners is an equal opportunity employer. At Northwest Partners we are dedicated to moving at the speed of innovation. We work with clients across the globe to provide exceptional knowledge, talent, and resources. As a trusted partner, we merge the client's vision with our expertise to deliver powerful results. Northwest Partners is known for building and managing elite teams in technology across diverse industries. Our mission is to empower every talent and every client to achieve more.