Job Summary
The Principal Engineer is responsible for the technical supervision of the design, development, testing, and production or operation of an Engineering project. He/she manages the Engineering team on behalf of the Program Manager, ensuring adherence to cost estimates, delivery within the required schedule, and requirements compliance. As the team leader, the Principal Engineer works with the project's Lead Engineers to ensure the work progresses in an efficient manner and meets technical objectives. The Principal Engineer "owns" the design of the technical solution.
Responsibilities/Duties/Functions/Tasks
Technical Leadership
- Own the technical solution design and architecture for assigned programs
- Provide technical supervision across all phases: design, development, testing, and production/operation
- Lead technical decision-making and establish engineering best practices
- Conduct design reviews and ensure technical quality across deliverables
- Resolve complex technical challenges and provide innovative solutions
- Mentor and develop engineering talent across the team and organization
- Estimate work packages to assist the Project Manager in developing schedules
Project Management & Coordination
- Manage the engineering team on behalf of the Program Manager
- Collaborate with Lead Engineers to ensure efficient workflow and progress
- Ensure adherence to cost estimates and budget constraints
- Drive delivery within required schedules and milestones
- Verify compliance with DoD requirements and specifications
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams including systems engineering, software development, hardware engineering, and quality assurance
Requirements & Documentation Management
- Translate customer requirements into technical specifications and architecture
- Manage requirements traceability throughout the development lifecycle
- Utilize Jama for comprehensive requirements management and tracking
- Ensure proper documentation of technical designs, decisions, and rationale
- Maintain technical documentation in Confluence
- Support proposal development with technical solutions and estimates
Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as primary technical liaison across internal and external stakeholders, suppliers, subcontractors, and customers
- Interface directly with government customers and stakeholders
- Present technical solutions and progress to leadership and clients
- Participate in technical interchange meetings (TIMs) and program reviews
- Support business development activities with technical expertise
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for the job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
- Completion of a full course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a Bachelor's or higher degree in engineering (Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Simulation, or related disciplines).
- 10+ years of experience in development of hardware or software related to modeling and simulation or relevant project domains.
- 10+ years of progressively responsible engineering experience, including leadership roles.
- Strong background/experience in systems design and documentation experience required.
- Experience with DoD acquisition processes, standards, and compliance requirements
- Demonstrated success managing multi-disciplinary engineering teams
- Experience with distributed simulation architectures and training systems
- Familiarity with DoD standards, Mil-spec requirements
Position-Specific Requirements
This role blends hands-on project engineering with leadership of a multidisciplinary engineering team, using a hybrid management approach in support of a strategic rotary-wing simulator trainer program.
- Direct experience qualifying FFS Level D or FTD Level 3 training devices within a National Aviation Authority
- Experience with international deployment logistics
- Experience with flight simulation systems or rotorcraft technologies
- Knowledge of visual system qualification criteria, motion/controls cueing, and aural cueing performance requirements.
Travel
- CONUS and OCONUS Travel required (<25%)
- Current passport or the ability to obtain a passport is required
Technical Knowledge
- Extensive knowledge of hardware and software systems integration
- Deep understanding of modeling and simulation principles and methodologies
- Proficiency with simulation architectures (e.g., HLA/RTI, DIS, TENA, FOM/SOM development)
- Strong foundation in software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies
- Knowledge of real-time systems and performance optimization
- Understanding of network architectures and distributed systems
- Understanding of Image Generators and Visual systems used in simulation
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, ICDs, wiring diagrams, and vendor documentation.
Domain Expertise
- Military training systems and doctrine
- Human-computer interaction and user experience design
- Virtual, constructive, and live training environments
- After Action Review (AAR) systems
- Interoperability standards and testing
- Verification and validation (V&V) methodologies
Methodologies & Frameworks
- Systems Engineering processes (INCOSE, ISO/IEC 15288)
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
- Risk management and mitigation strategies
- Configuration management and change control
Leadership & Soft Skills
- Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal)
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Ability to mentor and develop engineering talent
- Experience presenting to senior leadership and government customers
- Strategic thinking and technical vision
- Ability to balance technical excellence with schedule and budget constraints
Security Clearance
- U.S. citizenship required
- Active security clearance or the ability to obtain a Secret security clearance required
Essential Mental Requirements
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills for documentation, intra-team, and interdisciplinary communication.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
Essential Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move office products and supplies, up to 10 pounds.
Equipment/Software/Tools Used
- Windows
- Linux
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Project)
- JAMA Connect
- Atlassian JIRA
- Atlassian Confluence
Our Heritage: Founded in 1998 by an engineer, AVT Simulation is an Orlando-based, end-to-end systems integration and full-service modeling and simulation small business. Since our beginning, AVT's highly specialized staff of engineers has included some of the top leaders in the simulation industry. With an average of over 20 years of simulation experience, our dedicated staff provides specialized solutions for customers requiring on point solutions to complex problems. AVT has always been a company that strives to make a positive difference in the lives we touch. These lives include our employees and their families, our partner companies and their employees, and ultimately the warfighters receiving our products and services. Our core values are so very important to us as a company. They guide us towards success. They make us a great company to work for and a strong partner to work with. - People First
- Mission Excellence
- Do the Right Thing
- Commitment People First is our first and most important core value because we firmly believe the success of AVT is directly related to supporting our employees. We have a lot of fun (with regular employee events and engagements), while still working hard to accomplish our mission of serving our military and the warfighter. We're looking for candidates that embody these core values, know how to have fun while working hard, and think they would thrive in an environment like ours. If you're a self-motivated individual, then come join AVT. Come make your difference. EOE - Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Qualified individuals with a disability have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. If you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our careers website as a result of your disability, request a reasonable accommodation by visiting www.avtsim.com/careers and follow the instructions at the bottom.
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AVT Simulation
Mar 31, 2026