Job Description
Applications Engineer – Systems Integration Engineer
Location: Germantown, MD (On-site with 40% travel)
Salary: $100,000 - $120,000 + Annual Bonus
Overview
Seeking a customer-facing Applications/Integration Engineer to own the integration, testing, and troubleshooting of EO/IR payloads within customer platforms. This role serves as the technical bridge between the engineering teams, U.S.-based customers, and prime contractors.
Will be responsible for end-to-end system integration, working across hardware, software, and mechanical interfaces, and will act as the primary technical point of contact during integrations, deployments, and field support.
This is a hands-on, high-visibility role requiring strong systems thinking, comfort with ambiguity, and the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues in real-world customer environments.
Core Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering, or related field)
- 3+ years of experience in systems engineering, integration, test engineering, or field engineering roles
- Hands-on experience with system-level integration and troubleshooting
- Ability to operate without detailed manuals in dynamic environments
- Strong root cause analysis and problem-solving skills
- Ability to travel 40% annually based upon needs, with 2-3 weeks of initial training internationally
- Experience working with integrated hardware systems (components, subsystems, payloads, or platforms)
- Electrical wiring, connectors, and harnesses
- Power distribution and signal flow
- Mechanical interfaces and physical integration
- Comfort performing assembly/disassembly and field diagnostics
- Experience supporting software-enabled systems or SDK-based integrations
- Understanding of communication protocols, data/message flow, and system interfaces
- Experience in troubleshooting software issues related to upgrades or configuration
- Experience executing or supporting test procedures and system validation
- Ability to interpret test data and communicate results clearly
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with EO/IR, ISR, radar, sensor, UAV, or defense systems
- Experience working with government, defense, or security customers
- Prior customer-facing technical role (Field Engineer, Systems Integrator, Solutions Engineer)
- Experience supporting international engineering teams
- Familiarity with UAV, maritime, vehicle, or other surveillance platforms
Key Responsibilities
System & Payload Integration
- Lead integration of EO/IR payloads into customer platforms
- Understand and validate payload-to-platform interfaces, including power, data, mechanical, and communication protocols
- Support both prime and sub-contractor integration scenarios
- Translating customer system requirements into actionable technical execution
Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis
- Perform system-level troubleshooting to identify whether issues originate at the component, subsystem, or interface level
- Analyze test outputs, logs, and data to determine root cause and corrective actions
- Decide whether issues require:
- Component replacement
- Subsystem removal
- Escalation to engineering teams
- Support rapid issue resolution during factory testing, integration testing, and field deployments
Hardware & Hands-On Technical Work
- Perform assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of payloads and integrated systems
- Trace electrical wiring, connectors, and harnesses to isolate faults
- Validate proper power delivery, signal flow, and mechanical connections
- Support physical inspections and system validation at customer sites
Software & SDK Integration Support
- Support software and SDK-based integrations between payloads and customer systems
- Troubleshoot communication issues, data/message flow, and integration mismatches
- Work with software engineers to resolve bugs related to upgrades, versioning, or configuration
- Interpret logs and error messages to support integration debugging
Testing & Validation
- Execute and support defined test procedures for payloads and integrated systems
- Troubleshoot communication issues, data/message flow, and integration mismatches
- Work with software engineers to resolve bugs related to upgrades, versioning, or configuration
- Interpret logs and error messages to support integration debugging
Customer & Internal Collaboration
- Serve as the primary technical interface with customers during integrations
- Clearly explain technical issues, risks, and resolutions to non-specialist stakeholders
- Coordinate closely with engineering teams in Israel and U.S. program stakeholders
- Support training, documentation, and knowledge transfer activities
Personal Attributes for Success
- Self-starter with strong initiative and an ownership mindset
- Comfortable wearing multiple hats in a fast-moving environment
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to build trust with customers and internal stakeholders
- Adaptable, curious, and motivated to deeply understand complex systems
Training & Travel
- Initial onboarding and technical training in Israel (2–3 weeks)
- Ongoing collaboration with international engineering teams
- Periodic international and domestic travel for customer support and training (40% annual average)
Job Tags
For contractors, For subcontractor