Principal Systems Engineer

Fuse Integration
San Diego, CA

Who we are:

Fuse builds innovative communications, networking, and computing solutions that improve the sharing of information, video, text, and voice among operators distributed throughout the airborne, maritime, and ground environments. We are a technology firm creating in-house software, network and hardware solutions that support our noble cause of advancing warfighter capabilities with elegant, user-focused communications, networks, and software systems.

About this role:

Do you thrive in innovative, design-driven environments with a high level of both accountability and trust? Are you passionate about delivering elegant software and hardware solutions with the right amount of engineering rigor? Are you seeking a technical role where you can take initiative? If so – we want to hear from you!

Fuse is looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to work on dynamic technical programs and help drive forward innovative approaches that expand and enhance existing systems and prototypes with a focus on software aspects and integration with hardware. This individual is likely to serve as the Chief Engineer (CHENG) on one of our upcoming programs. Apply your dynamic and detail-oriented mindset to our development cycle that combines software, network, and hardware components. This role will support the agile development of innovative communications, networking, and computing solutions for U.S. defense agencies that improve the sharing of information among warfighters distributed throughout airborne, maritime, and ground environments.

Warfighter-focused design and development is at the heart of Fuse processes. Throughout Fuse development our experienced team applies the best practices of commercial design-think, coupled to the DoD systems engineering framework. The coupling of commercially proven design with rigorous systems engineering gives Fuse an ability to rapidly design, develop and field solutions well inside of typical military design cycles. With an Agile approach to development (for both software and hardware) Fuse rapidly innovates, putting creative concepts into action, and refining those concepts through hands on test, user evaluation, and iteration.

Requirements

What you’ll do:

  • Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams in the architecture, design, development, fielding, and support of dynamic tactical communication systems
  • Lead integration between hardware, software, and network systems
  • Interface with customers, development team, and program managers to establish program requirements, system design and architecture, and deliverables to meet cost, schedule, and budgets
  • Derive and manage systems and subsystem requirements and specifications from customer/program requirements
  • Conduct research and analysis of technical documentation to define and document system architecture and connections
  • Act as the decision authority between the System Architect and entire engineering team and be responsible for developing the overall technical solution for the system
  • Expected to influence design, development, test and verification
  • Leverage industry experts to find solutions to complex problems
  • Create, review, and update technical documentation such as system diagrams, interface control documents, design description documents
  • Conduct and support test planning and execution, including flight test and demonstration
  • Analyze test data, develop test reports, technology briefs and presentations to internal and external stakeholders
  • Participate in demonstration planning with customers and overarching experiment managers
  • Some travel will be required for hardware installation and/or test support

We are looking for:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Scientific or related Technical Field from an accredited college with 12+ years of related experience
  • Experience with engineering design and development, as well as testing and deployment of complex systems
  • Experience leading IPTs, with a broad understanding of multiple engineering disciplines and technologies (Mechanical, Software (full-stack, embedded, APIs, etc.), RF, Networking (virtual routing, IPv4, subnetting, etc.), and Cybersecurity).
  • Ability to perform analyses and trade studies to aid in the selection of system components
  • Experience creating detailed system level interconnect block diagrams utilizing supplier data sheets
  • Experience creating/designing cabling and wire harnesses for prototyping and production level activities
  • Demonstrated leadership skills (soft skills, strategic thinking, business acumen, supervisory experience, building teams, building customer relationships)
  • Proven execution of a full-scale program through excellent risk assessment, outstanding leadership, and strong decision making through analysis
  • Strong planning and organizational skills
  • Experience with customer/stakeholder communication, management, relationship building, and customer satisfaction
  • Proficient analyzing customer needs, developing epics, user stories, and technical tasks to achieve various Agile objectives and iterative development schedules
  • Deep analytical and problem-solving abilities. Reviews and judges the suitability of capability solutions and the planned approach
  • Working knowledge of EVMS systems and project management tools in the context of AGILE process
  • Active U.S. Secret Clearance

Nice to have:

  • Experience in agile, professional software development environments utilizing revision control, test driven development and continuous integration
  • Understanding of RF principles and link budget simulation, data analysis and data collection
  • Knowledge of Navy Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) or other relevant systems
  • Experience with network technology and protocols (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, TCP/IP, DHCP)
  • Experience with controlled cryptographic items/devices
  • Experience with military and/or commercial SATCOM system integration and design
  • Experience with multiple tactical data links and mesh waveforms (Link-16, TTNT, Wave Relay, Silvus, etc.)
  • Experience with MIL-STDs and environmental testing
  • Knowledge of open, standards-based architectures, interfaces
  • Experience with requirement management software (Doors, JAMA, etc.)
  • Experience with Systems Modeling Language (SysML) and/or MagicDraw, Cameo Systems Modeler
  • Experience with DoD Security Technical Implementation Guidelines

Please respond with resume, and in addition to your resume - a Cover Letter will go a long way.

More about Fuse:

Founded in 2010, Fuse is a veteran-owned, rapidly growing small business. Our San Diego-based company has earned recognition as an emerging leader in airborne, maritime, and ground networking. Placing the warfighter at the center of every design process, Fuse delivers intuitive, agile, and resilient products that go beyond national security requirements—providing lasting utility and game-changing results. We take pride in our brilliant and talented team as well as our dynamic environment and collaborative, creative, environment. We build cutting-edge hardware and software products that solve complex national security challenges for our warfighters at the tactical edge. 

Salary Range: $165,000 - $200,000

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision
    • Employee coverage is fully funded; a portion of dependents' coverage is funded as well
  • 11 paid Federal Holidays
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
    • Date of hire through second year: 10 days/year (accrued)
    • After two years: unlimited
  • 40 hours of paid sick leave per year
  • 401k with employer matching
  • Annual bonuses
  • Cell phone reimbursement: $100/month
Posted 2026-02-21

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