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David Careers

Systems Integration Engineer

Posted yesterday

k jacobs executive searchGermantown (MD)
Computer Systems Engineers/ArchitectsComputer Systems Design Services

SENIORITY

Lead

SALARY

$110,000 - $135,000 per year

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About the role

Systems Integration Engineer
Location: Germantown, MD (On-site with 35% travel & some international travel)
Salary: $110,000 - $135,000 + Annual Bonus
Overview:
  • Seeking a customer-facing Applications/Integration Engineer to own the integration, testing, and troubleshooting of EO/IR payloads within customer platforms. This role serves as the technical bridge between the engineering teams, U.S.-based customers, and prime contractors.
  • Will be responsible for end-to-end system integration, working across hardware, software, and mechanical interfaces, and will act as the primary technical point of contact during integrations, deployments, and field support.
  • This is a hands-on, high-visibility role requiring strong systems thinking, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues in real-world customer environments.
  • Core Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering, or related field)3+ years of experience in systems engineering, integration, test engineering, or field engineering roles
  • Hands-on experience with system-level integration and troubleshooting
  • Ability to operate without detailed manuals in dynamic environments
  • Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skillsAbility to travel 35% annually based upon needs, with 2-3 weeks of initial training internationally
  • Experience working with integrated hardware systems (components, subsystems, payloads, or platforms)
  • Electrical wiring, connectors, and harnesses
  • Power distribution and signal flow
  • Mechanical interfaces and physical integration
  • Comfort performing assembly/disassembly and field diagnostics
  • Experience supporting software-enabled systems or SDK-based integrations
  • Understanding of communication protocols, data/message flow, and system interfaces
  • Experience in troubleshooting software issues related to upgrades or configuration
  • Experience executing or supporting test procedures and system validation
  • Ability to interpret test data and communicate results clearly
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with EO/IR, ISR, radar, sensor, UAV, or defense systems
  • Experience working with government, defense, or security customers
  • Prior customer-facing technical role (Field Engineer, Systems Integrator, Solutions Engineer)
  • Experience supporting international engineering teams
  • Familiarity with UAV, maritime, vehicle, or other surveillance platforms
Key Responsibilities:
  • System & Payload Integration
  • Lead integration of EO/IR payloads into customer platforms
  • Understand and validate payload-to-platform interfaces, including power, data, mechanical, and communication protocols
  • Support both prime and sub-contractor integration scenarios
  • Translating customer system requirements into actionable technical execution
  • Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis
  • Perform system-level troubleshooting to identify whether issues originate at the component, subsystem, or interface level
  • Analyze test outputs, logs, and data to determine root cause and corrective actions
  • Decide whether issues require: Component replacement
  • Subsystem removal
  • Escalation to engineering teams
  • Support rapid issue resolution during factory testing, integration testing, and field deployments
  • Hardware & Hands-On Technical Work
  • Perform assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of payloads and integrated systems
  • Trace electrical wiring, connectors, and harnesses to isolate faults
  • Validate proper power delivery, signal flow, and mechanical connections
  • Support physical inspections and system validation at customer sites
  • Software & SDK Integration Support
Support software and SDK-based integrations between payloads and customer systemsTroubleshoot communication issues, data/message flow, and integration mismatchesWork with software engineers to resolve bugs related to upgrades, versioning, or configurationInterpret logs and error messages to support integration debugging Testing & Validation Execute and support defined test procedures for payloads and integrated systemsTroubleshoot communication issues, data/message flow, and integration mismatchesWork with software engineers to resolve bugs related to upgrades, versioning, or configurationInterpret logs and error messages to support integration debugging Customer & Internal Collaboration Serve as the primary technical interface with customers during integrations Clearly explain technical issues, risks, and resolutions to non-specialist stakeholders Coordinate closely with engineering teams in Israel and U.S. program stakeholders Support training, documentation, and knowledge transfer activities Personal Attributes for Success Self-starter with strong initiative and an ownership mindset Comfortable wearing multiple hats in a fast-moving environment Strong interpersonal and communication skillsAbility to build trust with customers and internal stakeholders Adaptable, curious, and motivated to deeply understand complex systems Training & Travel Initial onboarding and technical training in Israel (2–3 weeks) Ongoing collaboration with international engineering teams Periodic international and domestic travel for customer support and training (40% annual average)

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