Principal Systems Engineer (Embedded Hardware Systems)

Arlington, Virginia

At Two Six Technologies, we build, deploy, and implement innovative products that solve the world’s most complex challenges today. Through unrivaled collaboration and unwavering trust, we push the boundaries of what’s possible to empower our team and support our customers in building a safer global future.

Overview of Opportunity 

Two Six Technologies is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead multidisciplinary teams in the design, development, and delivery of advanced embedded hardware systems. This is a leadership-focused engineering role, ideal for individuals who excel at driving technical execution, coordinating across engineering domains, and ensuring systems meet mission-critical performance and reliability standards. If you bring experience managing complex hardware efforts from concept through deployment, this opportunity is for you.

What You Will Do:

  • Serve as the technical lead for hardware-centric R&D efforts, overseeing system-level design, integration, and delivery of embedded solutions across RF, digital, power, and mixed-signal domains.
  • Define system architecture and hardware requirements, working closely with electrical, mechanical, and software engineers to ensure cohesive system integration.
  • Coordinate PCB design efforts, guiding layout engineers and ensuring alignment with electrical, mechanical, and thermal constraints.
  • Oversee all phases of the hardware development lifecycle: requirements definition, design reviews, prototyping, bring-up, validation, and transition to production.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including software, security, and manufacturing—to ensure technical alignment and timely delivery of fully integrated solutions.
  • Interface directly with customers and internal stakeholders to define needs, present technical approaches, and manage expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Lead vendor engagement for contract manufacturing, board fabrication, and assembly, ensuring cost, quality, and schedule objectives are met.
  • Establish and maintain engineering documentation, including design specifications, integration plans, and test procedures.

What you will need (Basic Qualifications):

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
  • 7+ years of experience in systems engineering or technical leadership of embedded or hardware-intensive product development.
  • Strong understanding of PCB design principles and technologies, including digital, RF, and mixed-signal systems.
  • Familiarity with wireless protocols such as 4G/5G, WiFi, Bluetooth, or LoRa.
  • Proven experience with hardware bring-up, validation, and performance analysis.
  • Demonstrated success leading cross-disciplinary teams and coordinating efforts across software, hardware, and mechanical domains.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills, with experience interfacing directly with technical customers and end users.
  • Familiarity with tools such as Git, Altium/KiCad, and hardware test instrumentation (e.g., oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers).
  • Must be able to work on-site in Arlington, VA.

Nice to Have (Preferred):

  • Knowledge of high-speed digital interfaces (PCIe, NVMe, AXI, etc.).
  • Understanding of ruggedization and compliance standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-883, IP67/IP68).
  • Background in embedded system manufacturing, from PCB layout to final assembly.
  • Familiarity with embedded Linux, C/C++, and scripting languages such as Python.
  • Experience mentoring junior engineers and leading technical design reviews.

Security Clearance:

  • Active Top Secret Clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI.

Travel:

  • Occasional travel (10–15%) to CONUS customer or partner sites.

#LI-ZS1

#LI-ONSITE

Two Six Technologies is committed to providing competitive and comprehensive compensation packages that reflect the value we place on our employees and their contributions. We believe in rewarding skills, experience, and performance. Our offerings include but are not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, paid leave, tuition assistance and professional development.

The projected salary range listed for this position is annualized. This is a general guideline and not a guarantee of salary. Salary is one component of our total compensation package and the specific salary offered is determined by various factors, including, but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills, geographic location, as well as contract specific affordability and organizational requirements.

Salary Range

$179,989 - $269,984 USD

Looking for other great opportunities? Check out Two Six Technologies Opportunities for all our Company’s current openings! 

Ready to make the first move towards growing your career? If so, check out the Two Six Technologies Candidate Journey!  This will give you step-by-step directions on applying, what to expect during the application process, information about our rich benefits and perks along with our most frequently asked questions.  If you are undecided and would like to learn more about us and how we are contributing to essential missions, check out our  Two Six Technologies News  page!  We share information about the tech world around us and how we are making an impact!  Still have questions, no worries!  You can reach us at Contact Two Six Technologies. We are happy to connect and cover the information needed to assist you in reaching your next career milestone.

Two Six Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type and protective hair styles (e.g., braids, twists, locs and twists)), color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 and over), marital status, disability, genetic information, and protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request reasonable workplace accommodation for any part of our employment process, please send an email to accommodations@twosixtech.com. Information provided will be kept confidential and used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

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