Systems Engineer, Maritime

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Maritime Manufacturing Technology team is responsible for rapidly developing, manufacturing, and qualifying mission-critical defense hardware. Our scope spans end-to-end verification, from coupon-level mechanical and weld evaluations through full-scale functional qualification of advanced surface and undersea systems. Operating as a test-first organization, the team prioritizes tangible, evidence-based proof of capability and maintains rigorous traceability across every phase of the product lifecycle.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are seeking a Systems Engineer to join our Maritime team in Santa Ana, CA to serve as the requirements management authority for production. In this role, you will own the end-to-end lifecycle of systems requirements, from initial customer specifications through decomposition, allocation, verification planning, and formal change control.

You will lead the discipline of ensuring that every requirement driving our maritime hardware is clear, correct, traceable, and verifiable. You will manage the requirements baseline, define verification methods in partnership with Test Development through the Verification Cross-Reference Matrix (VCRM), and represent the requirements discipline in system-level technical reviews and change control boards. This is a foundational role that shapes how Heavy Metal proves capability to our customers and closes qualification against defense standards.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Requirements Management & Database Administration: Own and manage the requirements database within Arsenal OS, ensuring every requirement is clear, correct, verifiable, and carries a unique identifier. Serve as the administrative authority over the requirements management tool, establishing and enforcing standards for requirement authoring, structure, and metadata.
  Requirements Traceability: Maintain full bidirectional traceability of requirements from top-level customer specifications down to the lowest-level component specifications. Ensure parent-child relationships, derived requirements, and interface requirements are documented, linked, and auditable at all times.
  Verification Planning: Work directly with the Test Development Manager to define and document the verification method (test, analysis, inspection, or demonstration) for every requirement in a Verification Cross-Reference Matrix (VCRM). Ensure verification plans are executable, resource-informed, and aligned with program milestones.
  Change Management & Baseline Control: Manage and control all changes to the requirements baseline through a formal change management process. Evaluate proposed changes for impact to schedule, cost, design, and verification scope, and present dispositions to the appropriate change control boards.
  Specification Authorship & Release: Approve the content and release of all system and subsystem requirements specifications for Maritime Heavy Metal programs. Ensure specifications are consistent, configuration-controlled, and compliant with applicable standards.
  Technical Representation: Represent the requirements discipline in technical reviews (SRR, SDR, PDR, CDR, TRR), change control boards, and program-level forums. Provide clear, data-driven status on requirements maturity, verification closure, and open risks.
  Procedures & Process Development: Approve Maritime Heavy Metal–specific procedures and instructions necessary to accomplish requirements management responsibilities. Drive continuous improvement in requirements engineering processes and tooling as the organization scales.
  Cross-Functional Interface: Serve as the connective tissue between design engineering, test and evaluation, manufacturing, quality, and program management. Ensure that requirements flow cleanly into design models, test plans, acceptance criteria, and production work instructions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 4+ years (Mid) or 7+ years (Senior) of demonstrated experience in systems engineering, requirements management, or verification and validation on complex hardware programs (aerospace, defense, marine/subsea, or space systems).
• Demonstrated proficiency with requirements management tools and methodologies (e.g., DOORS, Jama, Cameo, Teamcenter, or equivalent platforms).
• Strong working knowledge of systems engineering lifecycle processes, including requirements decomposition, interface definition, traceability analysis, and formal change control.
• Experience developing and managing Verification Cross-Reference Matrices (VCRMs), Design Verification Plans & Reports (DVP&Rs), or equivalent verification documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate the full requirements lifecycle: ingesting front-end customer requirements, decomposing and allocating to subsystems, and managing through verification closure.
• Strong understanding of hardware development environments and the interplay between requirements, design, manufacturing, and test.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, interface with cross-functional design, test, and manufacturing teams, and drive clarity in complex technical environments.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience with maritime, subsea, or pressure-vessel systems development and associated qualification standards (NAVSEA criteria, ASME, ABS rules, or deep submergence standards).
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools (e.g., Cameo) and digital thread traceability platforms (e.g., Teamcenter, Jama).
• Experience participating in or leading formal milestone reviews (SRR, SDR, PDR, CDR, TRR) on Department of Defense programs.
• Background in defense or prime contractor environments applying rigorous configuration management and qualification standards.
• Proficiency with scripting or automation tools (Python, MATLAB) for requirements analysis, metrics generation, or data processing.
• INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) or equivalent certification.
• Active U.S. DoD Secret or Top Secret security clearance.