Systems Engineer – Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV)

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to lead the development, integration, testing, and validation of an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) platform.

The role is responsible for providing end-to-end systems engineering leadership throughout the development lifecycle — from defining technical and operational requirements, through design and integration, to verification and validation, sea trials, and ultimately readiness for operation or production.

The Systems Engineer will plan, coordinate, and oversee engineering activities across multidisciplinary teams, suppliers, and subcontractors, ensuring alignment between system requirements, architecture, design, integration, and actual system performance.

The position will lead the integration of the vessel's major subsystems, including command and control, communications, navigation, autonomy, and mission systems, while ensuring compliance with performance requirements, schedules, budgets, and quality standards throughout the development lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership

• Lead, monitor, and coordinate development activities across multidisciplinary engineering teams, including vessel control systems, software and automation, autonomy, communications, and mission systems.
• Define and lead the Systems Engineering process, including system architecture and requirements definition and management.
• Lead and manage formal System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), and Critical Design Review (CDR) processes.
• Lead system-level integration across all platform subsystems.
• Manage engineering risks, configuration control, project tracking, and status reporting to senior management.
• Lead technical interfaces with suppliers, subcontractors, and customers, including requirements alignment, deliverable tracking, resolution of technical gaps, and ensuring supplier solutions comply with the overall system architecture.

Testing & Validation

• Lead the Verification & Validation (V&V) program.
• Plan and manage integration tests, system-level testing, and sea trials, including defining test scenarios, success criteria, data collection, analysis of findings, and leading corrective actions through closure.
• Own the completion of the development phase and ensure production readiness, including design gap closure, engineering knowledge transfer to manufacturing teams, and availability of all required technical documentation.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline.
• Master's degree in Technology Management, Systems Engineering, or Electrical Engineering – an advantage.

Professional Experience

• 8–10+ years of experience working on complex engineering projects – required.
• Experience with unmanned systems or maritime platforms – an advantage.
• At least 5 years of experience leading multidisciplinary system development.
• Experience managing development programs and significant budgets.
• Proven experience leading system integration and field/sea trials.

Technical Knowledge

• Deep understanding of Systems Engineering principles and methodologies.
• Experience with requirements management tools, configuration management, and engineering documentation – a significant advantage.
• Familiarity with control systems, navigation, communications, autonomy, and mission systems.
• Strong knowledge of system development processes and requirements management.
• Familiarity with safety standards, maritime regulations, classification requirements, and relevant testing procedures.

Key Competencies

• Excellent technical English, both written and verbal, for working with suppliers, system documentation, specifications, and customers.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate and drive professional engineering teams.
• Strong systems-level thinking combined with attention to detail.
• Ability to make sound decisions in uncertain and dynamic environments.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong negotiation and complex stakeholder management capabilities.
• High level of initiative, ownership, and ability to work independently.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, multi-tasking environment.

Significant Advantages

• Experience in the development and operation of unmanned systems.
• Military background, Israeli Navy experience, or experience in the defense industry.
• Experience developing complex control and automation systems.