Jr. Systems Engineer - Aerospace
Thales
Jr. 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 Jr. Systems Engineer-Aerospace, who supports to the development of system solutions by assisting in the creation of clear, consistent specifications aligned with customer and stakeholder needs and who performs fundamental systems engineering activities within defined parts of the solution lifecycle, from needs analysis through verification and validation, under guidance and established engineering governance.
In this position, you will work closely with senior engineers, the Product Design Authority, and other teams to assist in product development and project execution, focus on understanding operational requirements, provide support in architectural and functional analysis, contribute to assessments of key system properties such as safety and human factors, and contribute to safe, compliant, and high-quality deliverables.
Regulatory Compliance Requirements
- US - CUI Regulatory Compliance Requirement – Must be a US Person as defined in applicable law.
Key Areas of Responsibility
- Support the analysis and understanding of customer needs and lifecycle considerations using methods like studies and simulations.
- Assist in defining mission and functional descriptions, architectural inputs, and system requirements in collaboration with senior engineers and the Product Design Authority (PDA).
- Help develop and maintain system specifications, engineering plans, and activity allocations. Participate in the assembly and integration of solution elements to evaluate system behavior under supervision.
- Assist in preparing and executing system integration, verification, and validation (IVV) test plans, contributing to test reporting and compliance confirmation. Support management activities by assessing impacts and updating documentation as directed.
- Contribute to demonstrating that the solution meets operational needs and that system data packages are complete.Provide technical support to systems architecture and engineering management activities within assigned scope.
- Support formal design reviews and help prepare technical documentation and R&D deliverables. Follow and help maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistent engineering practices.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical field with 1 year of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree. Applicable IT, cybersecurity, or related technical certifications, or equivalent military technical experience, may be considered in lieu of some formal education requirements. At least one year of professional experience in systems engineering, network management, IT, cybersecurity, or a closely related technical discipline.
- Basic working knowledge of network and computer troubleshooting techniques to support issue identification and resolution.
- Fundamental understanding of computer systems, including basic administration and operation of Windows and Linux environments. Familiarity with data analysis tools and methods, such as Python, to support engineering analysis and validation activities.
- Experience supporting smaller or less complex projects or programs involving some coordination between stakeholders and moderate deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across technical and non-technical teams. Good organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage assigned tasks and deliverables reliably.
- Attention to detail and a commitment to quality in technical work products. Structured thinker with developing analytical and problem-solving abilities.
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).
- Exposure to integration or deployment activities for ground-based radar, sensor, or similar technical systems, following established engineering procedures, standards, and operational guidance.
- Hands-on familiarity with basic IT and networking concepts, including configuring or supporting common equipment such as routers, switches, access points, or related infrastructure.
- Introductory knowledge of cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), gained through coursework, internships, labs, or entry-level support roles.
- Basic understanding of IT Service Management (ITSM) principles, such as ITIL concepts, incident management, or service support processes.
- Exposure to Agile or iterative development environments through academic projects, internships, or early professional experience.
- Entry-level or foundational certifications in IT, cybersecurity, networking, or cloud technologies (e.g., CompTIA, AWS, Azure fundamentals) are considered a plus.
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) 82,959.75 - 145,000.00 USD AnnualThis 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