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Systems Engineer - Aerospace
Thales
Software Engineering
Syracuse, NY, USA
USD 112,807-186,714 / year
Posted on Dec 20, 2025
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.
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 Systems Engineer - Aerospace, who contributes to the development of system solutions by producing clear, consistent specifications aligned with customer and stakeholder requirements and who performs a defined subset of systems engineering activities across the solution lifecycle, from needs analysis through integration, verification, validation, and qualification (IVVQ), under established engineering governance.
In this position, you will work in close collaboration with the Product Design Authority, System Architecture, and IVVQ teams to support product development and project execution, analyze operational needs, contribute to architectural and functional analysis, assess key system properties such as safety, security, and human factors, and contribute to the delivery of safe, compliant, and high-quality solutions while ensuring alignment with customer requirements, applicable standards, and project constraints.
Regulatory Compliance Requirements
- US - CUI Regulatory Compliance Requirement – Must be a US Person as defined in applicable law.
Key Areas of Responsibility
- Analyze and understand customer needs and lifecycle considerations using appropriate methods such as studies, simulations, models, mock-ups, or prototypes. Contribute to the definition of mission and functional descriptions, architectural inputs, and system requirements in collaboration with the Product Design Authority (PDA).
- Develop and maintain system specifications, engineering plans, and activity allocations required to support solution development. Assemble and integrate solution elements in a structured and controlled manner to evaluate system behavior, interactions, and performance, ensuring requirements are met.
- Prepare and support system integration, verification, and validation (IVV) test plans and contribute to test execution and release reporting to confirm compliance with customer requirements and expected system behavior. Support the change management process by assessing impacts, updating documentation, and contributing to implementation activities as required.
- Contribute to demonstrating that the solution satisfies approved operational needs and that system data packages are complete and ready for release to operations and support.
- Provide technical contributions to systems architecture and systems engineering management activities, as appropriate to role scope.
- Support formal design reviews and contribute to the preparation of technical documentation and R&D deliverables. Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support consistent and repeatable engineering practices.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related technical field with 5+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree in a related field with 4+ years of relevant software and/or electrical development experience. Applicable IT, cybersecurity, or related technical certifications, or equivalent military technical experience, may be considered in lieu of some formal education requirements.
- At least five years of professional experience in systems engineering, network management, IT, cybersecurity, or a closely related technical discipline. Working knowledge of network and computer troubleshooting techniques and the ability to support issue identification and resolution.
- Solid understanding of computer systems, including basic administration and operation of Windows and Linux environments. Working knowledge of data analysis methods and tools, such Python, to support engineering analysis and validation activities.
- Experience supporting complex projects or programs involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and tight 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. Strong sense of quality and attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency in technical work products.
- Disciplined, structured, and systematic thinker with solid 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).
- 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, safety culture, and regulatory considerations.
- Experience supporting the integration and deployment of complex, ground-based radar or sensor systems, under established engineering and operational guidance. Hands-on experience configuring and administering IT and network equipment, such as routers, switches, gateways, bridges, access points, modems, hubs, and repeaters.
- Exposure to cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS or Azure) in support, development, or operational contexts. Working knowledge of IT Service Management (ITSM) frameworks and processes, such as ITIL, including incident, problem, and change management concepts.
- Relevant IT, cybersecurity, or cloud certifications preferred, but not required. Experience working within Agile development environments, collaborating with cross-functional teams and participating 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: Please select this box if this position is primarily based in a customer location or will require regular travel to and from one or more customer sites to perform the essential functions of the position.
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) 112,807.00 - 186,714.00 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