Principal Component Engineer

Join Mercury Systems as a Lead Component Engineer and help shape the future of mission‑critical space and defense technologies. In this role, you will drive component engineering strategy across high‑visibility programs, influencing design decisions that safeguard warfighters, protect critical infrastructure, and enable next‑generation aerospace solutions.

You'll work in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment where your expertise directly strengthens our products and our mission. This is an opportunity to lead, innovate, and meaningfully contribute from day one.

This position is hybrid, and can be located in one of the following Mercury Systems locations:

Huntsville, AL, Chantilly, VA. Cypress, CA or Andover, MA

Key Responsibilities :

Serve as the lead EEEE parts or materials-and-processes engineer across space and terrestrial programs, driving component engineering strategy.

Lead component reviews, assessments, and analyses to ensure compliance with space, military, and customer program requirements.

Collaborate closely with customers, government agencies, suppliers, and cross‑functional teams to resolve supply chain issues, mature PMP processes, and meet contractual obligations.

Guide technology insertion, component selection, and standardization while balancing business, environmental, and circuit application constraints.

Generate and update component drawings, verification packages, and risk assessments supporting design reviews.

Perform alternate‑part evaluations, reliability assessments, and support MRB activities.

Develop EEE parts specifications, screen/qualification test plans, and manage part qualifications with external test houses.

Present non‑standard part requests (NSPARs) and technical findings to customers with confidence and clarity.

Mentor junior engineers and promote knowledge sharing across programs.

Required Qualifications :

Ideally a bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline, or 10+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a college degree.

Ideally a minimum of 6+ years of relevant industry experience (defense, aerospace, electronics)

Prior experience serving as a lead component engineer / parts engineer / reliability engineer or similar role on defense, aerospace, or space programs.

Strong knowledge of military/industry standards (MIL, ASTM, AEC, ESA, NASA).

Understanding of electronic fabrication processes (SMT, chip and wire, hybrids, etc.) and circuit card assembly design/manufacturing).

Presenting non-standard part approval requests (NSPARS), non-standard material approval requests (NSMARS), and technical findings to customers with confidence and clarity.

Experience with NSPAR processes, environmental testing (MIL‑STD‑883), and passive/active component reliability.

Active Secret Clearance or ability to obtain one (U.S. citizenship required).

Preferred Qualifications:

Active Secret Clearance.

Understanding of failure modes in passive components and packaged active devices.

Experience in design engineering, particularly for space‑based programs.

Background collaborating with suppliers, including PPAPs, qualification reports, and documentation review.

Experience designing complex embedded digital hardware (microprocessors, FPGAs, network switches).

Prior experience in Quality or Supplier Quality organizations; familiarity with AS9100/AS9102 and QMS requirements.

Proficiency with PLM, MES, or quality management systems.