Systems Engineer

Veterans Encouraged to Apply: Detroit Defense proudly supports those who have served. We welcome applicants with military experience, including those transitioning to civilian careers. Your leadership, adaptability, and mission-focused mindset are valued here. Detroit Defense is a 3x recipient of the Hire Vets Gold Medallion Award.

Detroit Defense is seeking an experienced Senior Systems Engineer to join our engineering team. This role is responsible for leading system‑level design, integration, and verification activities across both hardware and software domains, while leveraging Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods to ensure digital traceability from requirements through validation. The ideal candidate is a confident, customer‑facing engineer who is comfortable running system demonstrations, presenting to senior leadership, and engaging directly with customer senior leadership.

This position requires strong technical breadth, clear communication, and the ability to translate complex systems into actionable, understandable results.

• Lead and support systems engineering activities across the full system lifecycle, from requirements definition through verification and validation into sustainment.
• Apply MBSE principles and tools to define, manage, and maintain system architectures, behaviors, and interfaces.
• Develop and maintain system models, interface control documents, requirements traceability matrices, and verification plans.
• Conduct engineering analyses, trade studies, and performance assessments to inform system design decisions.
• Coordinate with cross‑functional teams to ensure integration between hardware, software, and operational requirements.
• Prepare and support technical reviews such as System Requirements Reviews (SRR), Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews (PDR/CDR), and Test Readiness Reviews (TRR).
• Plan and conduct system demonstrations for internal and external stakeholders, including senior leadership and customer executives.
• Represent Detroit Defense confidently during high‑visibility demonstrations, briefings, and technical discussions.
• Participate in technical problem‑solving, troubleshooting, and validation across hardware and software components.
• Collaborate with program management and customer representatives to ensure solutions meet performance, cost, and schedule objectives.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior engineers, promoting adoption of digital and model‑based engineering best practices.

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical, or a related technical field.
• Ten plus years of experience in systems engineering, system integration, or architecture roles.
• Proficiency in Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and methods (e.g., Enterprise Architect, Magic Draw, Cameo, SysML).
• Experience developing system architectures and maintaining requirements traceability within a digital engineering environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead integration and testing efforts across hardware and software systems.
• Must be comfortable conducting system demonstrations and technical presentations in front of senior and executive leadership, both internally and with customers.
• Excellent communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with a proactive and collaborative approach.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
• 20-25% travel will be required

• Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits
• Company Paid Life and AD&D
• Company Paid Short Term and Long‑Term Disability
• Flexible Spending & HSA Accounts
• Legal & d Services
• 401k with Company Match
• Paid holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO)

At Detroit Defense, we deliver mission‑critical solutions that enhance national security, protect the warfighter, and enable readiness through innovation, technical excellence, and end‑to‑end lifecycle support.

Remaining steadfast in our core values of Trustworthy, Mission Driven, Creative, and Agile we are a complex systems integrator for…