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Location: Syracuse, United States of AmericaThales people architect solutions that are relied upon to deliver operational advantage at every decisive moment throughout the mission. Defence and armed forces customers rely on us to deliver the full range of defensive systems for land, sea, and air. From early warning, to threat neutralisation, our platforms cover all levels from very short-range systems, to extended protection across the entire battle-space including Airspace Mobility Solutions, Vehicles and Tactical Systems and Missile Defence, Optronics, and Radar.

Sr. Systems Engineer - Aerospace

Syracuse, NY or Arlington, VA (Hybrid)

Position Summary

The FAA’s Brand-New Air Traffic Control System and other initiatives related to Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility are fueling the growth of Thales’ Airspace Mobility Solutions team. We are expanding our teams in Arlington, Virginia and Syracuse, New York and seek talented individuals who want to be part of these ambitious initiatives shaping the future of aviation. We are looking for people with a passion for aviation and ready to deliver innovative solutions built to the nation’s highest safety and security standards. America’s aviation moment is now. Thales has the solutions, experience and expertise to execute now. Come join our journey.

Thales is looking for a Sr. Systems Engineer Aerospace, who serves as a recognized technical authority responsible for shaping, governing, and delivering advanced system solutions that address highly complex customer, operational, and stakeholder requirements and who establishes coherent, traceable, and certifiable system specifications that anchor solution development and ensure technical integrity from concept through qualification.

In this position, you will operate across the full systems engineering lifecycle to lead operational needs analysis, requirements engineering, system architecture and functional design, integration, verification, validation, and qualification (IVVQ), apply rigorous systems engineering governance, methods, and best practices to manage complexity and mitigate risk, work in close partnership with the Product Design Authority, System Architecture, and IVVQ leadership to provide strategic technical leadership, resolve complex technical trade-offs, lead the analysis and validation of critical system attributes including safety, security, human factors, reliability, and operational performance, and ensure solutions are safe, compliant, fit for operational use in regulated environments, aligned with customer expectations, contractual obligations, applicable standards, and program constraints, and delivered as robust, high-quality, and certifiable system solutions that support customer success and long-term product sustainability.

Regulatory Compliance Requirements

• US - CUI Regulatory Compliance Requirement – Must be a US Person as defined in applicable law.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Serve as the technical authority for the analysis and interpretation of highly complex customer and operational needs, applying advanced systems engineering methods such as simulations, digital system models, trade studies, and prototyping to inform architectural and design decisions across the full lifecycle; and lead and govern the definition of mission objectives, functional concepts, system architectures, and requirements, in close partnership with the Product Design Authority (PDA), ensuring traceability, technical coherence, and alignment with customer, regulatory, and program constraints.
• Author, review, and approve comprehensive system specifications, engineering management plans, and activity allocations, providing clear technical direction and decision rationale to guide solution development and downstream engineering execution; and provide senior technical leadership in systems architecture and systems engineering management, shaping program-level engineering strategies, resolving complex technical trade-offs, and mentoring teams on best practices and methods.
• Oversee and direct the structured assembly, integration, and assessment of solution elements, ensuring rigorous evaluation of system interactions, emergent behavior, performance margins, and compliance with validated requirements; and own the planning, execution, and governance of system Integration, Verification, Validation, and Qualification (IVVQ) activities, ensuring completeness, technical rigor, and adherence to contractual, safety, and regulatory obligations.
• Champion and govern technical change management, evaluating impacts across architecture, requirements, certification, cost, and schedule; steering documentation updates; and providing authoritative guidance on implementation and acceptance.
• Provide authoritative evidence and technical justification that delivered solutions meet approved operational needs, ensuring system data packages, baselines, and technical records are complete, consistent, and release-ready for operations, sustainment, and customer acceptance.
• Act as a principal technical contributor and reviewer in formal design reviews, leading the preparation, review, and approval of advanced technical documentation, analyses, and R&D deliverables; and define, implement, and continuously improve systems engineering Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), driving standardization, knowledge capitalization, and sustained engineering excellence across projects and teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline, with 9+ years of progressively responsible experience in complex engineering environments; or a Master’s degree in a relevant field with 6+ years of advanced software and/or electrical engineering experience; and applicable technical certifications in IT, cybersecurity, networking, or related domains—or equivalent military technical experience—may be considered in lieu of some formal education requirements, provided they demonstrate advanced technical competence and leadership capability.
• Extensive professional experience (typically 9+ years) in systems engineering, networked systems, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, or a closely related discipline, with demonstrated progression toward technical leadership and subject-matter expertise; and demonstrated experience providing technical leadership on complex, large-scale projects or programs, involving multiple internal and external stakeholders, competing technical and business priorities, and delivery within demanding cost, schedule, and regulatory constraints.
• Advanced proficiency in networked and computer-based system troubleshooting, with the ability to lead complex problem identification, root-cause analysis, and resolution efforts across hardware, software, and integrated system boundaries; and strong command of computer systems administration and operational environments, including deep working knowledge of Windows and Linux platforms, system configuration, performance management, and reliability considerations.
• Advanced working knowledge of data analysis methods and tools, including Python or equivalent scripting and analytical languages, applied to complex engineering analysis, system validation, modeling, automation, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts, influence technical direction, and collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams and non-technical stakeholders; and strong organizational, prioritization, and time-management capabilities, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent technical responsibilities, deliver high-quality work products reliably, and mentor or guide junior engineers in best practices and technical rigor.
• Demonstrated commitment to engineering quality and rigor, with meticulous attention to detail in the development, review, and approval of technical analyses, specifications, and deliverables; and a highly disciplined, structured, and systematic technical thinker, with advanced analytical and problem-solving skills applied to complex, ambiguous, and safety- or mission-critical engineering challenges.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or for assuming sponsorship of an employment visa now or in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of the national airspace system and/or an understanding of unmanned aircraft systems.
• Experience working on technology-centered programs for US Federal Gov’t Agencies (with a strong preference for FAA, DoD/DoW and/or DHS).
• Experience working in a service-oriented or operational environment within aerospace, aviation, defense, transportation, unmanned systems (drones), or IT-related sectors. Foundational knowledge of aeronautical and Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems, data, and operational environments, including awareness of relevant industry standards (eg. ICAO, RTCA), safety culture, and regulatory considerations.
• Proven experience leading or supporting integration and deployment of complex, ground-based radar or sensor systems under engineering and operational guidance.
• Deep hands-on experience configuring and administering a broad range of IT and network equipment: routers, switches, gateways, bridges, access points, modems, hubs, repeaters.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS or Azure) in development, deployment, or operational roles. Working knowledge of IT Service Management (ITSM) frameworks such as ITIL, with experience in incident, problem, and change management processes. Relevant advanced IT, cybersecurity, or cloud certifications strongly preferred. Extensive experience working within Agile development environments, leading or coordinating cross-functional teams in iterative delivery cycles.

Special Position Requirements

• Schedule: Either 9/80A - 1st (9hrs Mon-Thu, 8hrs 2nd Fri, Start @ 09:00AM) (United States of America) or USA - 5/40 - 1st (8hrs Mon-Fri) (United States of America).
• Travel: Domestic travel approximately 0-10% annually.
• Customer Location Based or Site Visits.

If you’re excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

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This position will require successfully completing a post-offer background check. Qualified candidates with [a] criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal law, state law, and local ordinances.

We are an equal opportunity employer, including disability and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at talentacquisition@us.thalesgroup.com.

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between

Total Target Cash (TTC) 129,507.75 - 220,000.00 USD Annual

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

(For Internal candidate, if you need more information, please reach out to your HR Shared Service, 1st Point)

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:

•Elective Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life w/LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Plan, Identity Theft, and Pet Insurance

•Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match, and with no vesting period

•Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off

•Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program