At least 5 years
This role is STARs-friendly: Skilled Through Alternative Routes.
35% STARs in role.
Job Title: Sustainment Systems Engineer
Job Description
The Sustainment Systems Engineer is responsible for the analysis, design, and integration of battlefield reconnaissance, survivability, lethality, radar, and electronic system payloads into Mission Equipment Packages (MEPs) for legacy and next-generation combat vehicles. This role ensures that technical performance requirements are met and that an interdisciplinary systems engineering process is executed so customer and stakeholder needs are satisfied in a high-quality, trustworthy, cost-efficient, and schedule-compliant manner throughout the entire system life cycle. The engineer provides technical expertise, communicates effectively with engineering and leadership stakeholders, and helps foster an innovative environment that drives continuous improvements in product, process, and quality.
Responsibilities
- Analyze, design, and integrate battlefield reconnaissance, survivability, lethality, radar, and electronic system payloads into Mission Equipment Packages (MEPs) for legacy and next-generation combat vehicles.
- Execute traditional systems engineering activities, including requirements management, verification, and validation, to ensure system performance meets customer and stakeholder needs.
- Generate, decompose, and manage system and subsystem requirements, often starting from partially defined systems or line replaceable units (LRUs).
- Reverse-engineer requirements from existing systems, military standards, and military specifications to create clear, traceable, and testable requirements.
- Lead and participate in hands-on integration work, including working with physical hardware, combat vehicles, and vehicle bays to validate system functionality and performance.
- Develop and contribute to Interface Control Documents (ICDs), defining data flows and interfaces between LRUs and other system components.
- Use IBM DOORS Classic or equivalent requirements management tools to maintain, trace, and manage requirements throughout the system life cycle.
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams and stakeholders to ensure alignment on technical solutions, schedules, and deliverables.
- Communicate technical concepts, risks, and recommendations clearly and effectively to both engineering and management audiences.
- Support rapid prototyping and quick-moving programs by applying sound systems engineering practices in an agile, fast-paced environment.
- Apply knowledge of military standards and US artillery fire control systems to guide system design, integration, and performance assessments.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing product quality, engineering processes, and overall system reliability.
Essential Skills
- Demonstrated experience with traditional systems engineering, including requirements management, verification, and validation.
- Hands-on integration experience and comfort working with physical hardware, combat vehicles, and vehicle bays.
- Proficiency with IBM DOORS Classic or similar requirements management tools for capturing, tracing, and managing requirements.
- Experience in requirements generation and decomposition for complex systems and LRUs, including work with partially defined systems.
- Ability to reverse-engineer requirements from existing systems, military standards, and military specifications.
- Involvement in developing Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and defining data flows between LRUs and other system elements.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams.
- Knowledge of US artillery fire control systems such as AFADS and AXS.
- Experience with ground combat systems or artillery-related programs, including howitzers, launchers, fire control systems, AFATDS, AXS, or combat vehicle integration.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant engineering experience.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Familiarity with later versions of DOORS or commercial equivalents such as PTC CodeBeamer for requirements management.
- Front-end systems engineering experience, including strong skills in requirements development, even if integration and test experience is lighter.
- Experience working with military standards and specifications in the context of combat or artillery systems.
- Ability to thrive in rapid prototyping and quick-moving program environments.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement in product quality, processes, and engineering practices.
Work Environment
This role is based at a Bridgeton, MO facility and offers a 9/80 hybrid work schedule that supports work-life balance. Team members typically work in-office Tuesday through Thursday, with hybrid options available on Mondays and working Fridays. The environment emphasizes exciting and impactful projects, rapid prototyping, and quick-moving programs rather than slow, bureaucratic processes. The culture focuses on employee development, empowerment, and innovation, and has been recognized multiple times as a top place to work in the St. Louis area. Work involves collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams and interaction with combat vehicle hardware and related systems in a professional engineering setting, with standard office and lab attire appropriate to the tasks being performed.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Bridgeton, MO.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $52.00 - $55.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
This is a hybrid position in Bridgeton,MO.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Jul 29, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
Posting ID: JP-006159233