Systems Engineer II

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

This role is part of our Tactical Missiles and Integrated Defense Systems business, which designs and develops integrated missile and defense systems that support critical missions across air, land, and sea. We combine comprehensive analysis, engineering, and program execution capabilities to deliver mission-tailored solutions that reduce lead times, lower costs, and simplify complex multi-vendor supply chains.  Backed by decades of flight-proven and fielded performance, we design and build mission-critical technologies including launch systems, propulsion, payload integration solutions, UAV components, missile subsystems, and Safe & Arm systems.

In this role, you will provide technical guidance that supports the development of aerospace structures, mechanisms, and mechanical systems from concept through product maturation. You will help ensure system requirements are understood, validated, and met by coordinating technical execution across engineering disciplines, supporting system architecture decisions, and contributing to analysis, testing, documentation, and verification activities.

Responsibilities

• Supports program-level technical oversight to ensure final products meet all applicable requirements.
• Ensures engineering tasks balance design, analysis, and testing to achieve robust system performance.
• Contributes to system architecture development by modeling system behavior and assisting with requirement decomposition.
• Verifies and documents system compliance to requirements.
• Contributes to development of test plans to validate system performance.
• Supports preparation of engineering reports and presentations.
• Supports creation of interface control drawings and interface description documents.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or an equivalent field.
• Typically possesses 2–5 years of aerospace and/or defense experience.
• Experience supporting development of mechanical systems and structures, electronics, electrical cabling, system integration, and qualification testing.
• General aerospace engineering knowledge including structural analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), physics‑based modeling, dynamics, kinematics, advanced high‑strength materials, design, and testing.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to multidisciplinary project planning and execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or an equivalent field.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.