Principal Systems Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Maryland
Principal systems engineer jobs in Maryland center on the defense, federal contracting, and cybersecurity sectors, with major employers including Northrop Grumman, Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and SAIC operating across the Baltimore-Washington corridor. The region's concentration of cleared and uncleared engineering roles drives consistent visa sponsorship activity for qualified international candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
AST SpaceMobile and our global partners are building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to be accessible by standard smartphones. Called SpaceMobile, this ultra-powerful network is being designed to provide connectivity at 4G/5G speeds everywhere on the planet – on land, at sea and in flight.
Position Overview
We're looking for a Principal Systems Engineer - Software to lead the definition, decomposition, and management of software requirements across a complex communications platform. You'll work at the intersection of software, networking, infrastructure, and systems engineering, turning high-level stakeholder needs into clear, testable, and traceable software requirements that engineering teams can successfully implement.
This is a senior technical leadership role responsible for driving requirements excellence throughout the system lifecycle. You will partner closely with software, hardware, network, systems, and test engineering teams to ensure requirements are properly defined, reviewed, verified, validated, and maintained from concept through deployment.
The ideal candidate brings deep systems engineering expertise, strong communications software knowledge, and a proven ability to lead the development of large-scale, highly integrated technical systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead development of software system requirements from stakeholder needs and system-level concepts through subsystem and component-level specifications
- Define and maintain software requirements for communications software, networking functions, interfaces, and distributed system architectures
- Develop and manage interface control documents (ICDs) between software elements, infrastructure components, external systems, and partner interfaces
- Own requirements traceability from stakeholder needs through design, implementation, verification, validation, and operational acceptance
- Lead requirements reviews and drive resolution of ambiguity, conflicts, risks, and gaps across engineering disciplines
- Conduct system-level trade studies and technical analyses to support architecture and requirements decisions
- Partner with software development and test teams to define verification strategies, acceptance criteria, and validation approaches
- Support system integration activities, anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and requirements changes throughout the development lifecycle
- Develop and maintain requirements management processes, standards, and best practices
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure technical requirements align with business and operational objectives
- Mentor engineers and promote strong systems engineering principles across the organization
- Provide technical leadership on complex system architecture, integration, and requirements management initiatives
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field
- Master's degree in a related engineering discipline preferred
Experience:
- Minimum 10–15 years of professional engineering experience
- Experience working as a Systems Engineer responsible for writing, managing, and maintaining requirements for complex technical systems
- Experience supporting large-scale software development, systems integration, or communications-based platforms
- Proven experience developing clear, concise, testable, and verifiable requirements
- Experience working throughout the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements analysis, design support, verification, validation, and deployment
- Experience using requirements management, configuration management, and traceability processes in complex engineering environments
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience within cellular telecommunications, wireless communications, networking, or related communications technologies
- Familiarity with 4G LTE, 5G, radio access networks, core networks, IMS, or related telecommunications architectures
- Knowledge of industry standards and specifications development processes
- Experience supporting satellite communications, space systems, or non-terrestrial network architectures
- Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
- Experience using SysML, Cameo, or similar MBSE tools
- Background in software development using languages such as C, C++, Python, or similar technologies
- Experience with Linux-based embedded, distributed, or networked systems
- Experience supporting highly regulated, mission-critical, safety-critical, or high-reliability environments
- INCOSE CSEP, ESEP, or similar systems engineering certifications
Soft Skills:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional engineering teams
- Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills
- Exceptional attention to detail and documentation quality
- Ability to influence technical decisions without direct authority
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Ability to manage competing priorities and complex technical initiatives
- Self-motivated with a proactive and continuous improvement mindset
- Strong mentoring and leadership capabilities
Technology Stack:
- DOORS
- Jama
- Polarion
- Jira
- SysML
- Cameo
- Requirements management and traceability platforms
- Configuration management and change control systems
- C and C++
- Python
- Linux-based systems
- Communications networking technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Engineering collaboration and documentation platforms
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods
- Ability to review technical documentation, requirements specifications, architecture diagrams, and verification artifacts
- Ability to participate in technical reviews, requirements reviews, design reviews, and cross-functional collaboration sessions
- Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while performing systems engineering and documentation activities
- May require occasional travel to support engineering reviews, integration activities, or stakeholder engagements
This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.
AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
INTRODUCTION
AST SpaceMobile and our global partners are building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network to be accessible by standard smartphones. Called SpaceMobile, this ultra-powerful network is being designed to provide connectivity at 4G/5G speeds everywhere on the planet – on land, at sea and in flight.
Position Overview
We're looking for a Principal Systems Engineer - Software to lead the definition, decomposition, and management of software requirements across a complex communications platform. You'll work at the intersection of software, networking, infrastructure, and systems engineering, turning high-level stakeholder needs into clear, testable, and traceable software requirements that engineering teams can successfully implement.
This is a senior technical leadership role responsible for driving requirements excellence throughout the system lifecycle. You will partner closely with software, hardware, network, systems, and test engineering teams to ensure requirements are properly defined, reviewed, verified, validated, and maintained from concept through deployment.
The ideal candidate brings deep systems engineering expertise, strong communications software knowledge, and a proven ability to lead the development of large-scale, highly integrated technical systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead development of software system requirements from stakeholder needs and system-level concepts through subsystem and component-level specifications
- Define and maintain software requirements for communications software, networking functions, interfaces, and distributed system architectures
- Develop and manage interface control documents (ICDs) between software elements, infrastructure components, external systems, and partner interfaces
- Own requirements traceability from stakeholder needs through design, implementation, verification, validation, and operational acceptance
- Lead requirements reviews and drive resolution of ambiguity, conflicts, risks, and gaps across engineering disciplines
- Conduct system-level trade studies and technical analyses to support architecture and requirements decisions
- Partner with software development and test teams to define verification strategies, acceptance criteria, and validation approaches
- Support system integration activities, anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and requirements changes throughout the development lifecycle
- Develop and maintain requirements management processes, standards, and best practices
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure technical requirements align with business and operational objectives
- Mentor engineers and promote strong systems engineering principles across the organization
- Provide technical leadership on complex system architecture, integration, and requirements management initiatives
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field
- Master's degree in a related engineering discipline preferred
Experience:
- Minimum 10–15 years of professional engineering experience
- Experience working as a Systems Engineer responsible for writing, managing, and maintaining requirements for complex technical systems
- Experience supporting large-scale software development, systems integration, or communications-based platforms
- Proven experience developing clear, concise, testable, and verifiable requirements
- Experience working throughout the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements analysis, design support, verification, validation, and deployment
- Experience using requirements management, configuration management, and traceability processes in complex engineering environments
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience within cellular telecommunications, wireless communications, networking, or related communications technologies
- Familiarity with 4G LTE, 5G, radio access networks, core networks, IMS, or related telecommunications architectures
- Knowledge of industry standards and specifications development processes
- Experience supporting satellite communications, space systems, or non-terrestrial network architectures
- Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
- Experience using SysML, Cameo, or similar MBSE tools
- Background in software development using languages such as C, C++, Python, or similar technologies
- Experience with Linux-based embedded, distributed, or networked systems
- Experience supporting highly regulated, mission-critical, safety-critical, or high-reliability environments
- INCOSE CSEP, ESEP, or similar systems engineering certifications
Soft Skills:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional engineering teams
- Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills
- Exceptional attention to detail and documentation quality
- Ability to influence technical decisions without direct authority
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Ability to manage competing priorities and complex technical initiatives
- Self-motivated with a proactive and continuous improvement mindset
- Strong mentoring and leadership capabilities
Technology Stack:
- DOORS
- Jama
- Polarion
- Jira
- SysML
- Cameo
- Requirements management and traceability platforms
- Configuration management and change control systems
- C and C++
- Python
- Linux-based systems
- Communications networking technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Engineering collaboration and documentation platforms
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods
- Ability to review technical documentation, requirements specifications, architecture diagrams, and verification artifacts
- Ability to participate in technical reviews, requirements reviews, design reviews, and cross-functional collaboration sessions
- Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while performing systems engineering and documentation activities
- May require occasional travel to support engineering reviews, integration activities, or stakeholder engagements
This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.
AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Principal Systems Engineer Job Roles in Maryland
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Search Principal Systems Engineer Jobs in MarylandPrincipal Systems Engineer Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for principal systems engineers in Maryland?
Defense and federal IT contractors dominate sponsorship activity for principal systems engineers in Maryland. Northrop Grumman, Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC, and Perspecta have each filed Labor Condition Applications for senior engineering roles in the state. Smaller defense subcontractors and cybersecurity firms operating near Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground also sponsor, though sponsorship activity varies by contract cycle and security clearance requirements.
Which visa types realistically fit principal systems engineer roles in Maryland?
The H-1B visa is the most common path, covering principal systems engineer roles as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related field. The employer files a Labor Condition Application and I-129 petition with USCIS. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify under the TN visa as engineers under USMCA. Australian nationals can pursue the E-3 visa, and Chilean and Singaporean nationals have access to the H-1B1 visa.
Which cities in Maryland have the most principal systems engineer sponsorship jobs?
The Baltimore-Washington corridor concentrates the majority of principal systems engineer sponsorship activity in Maryland. Bethesda, Rockville, and Gaithersburg in Montgomery County host a high density of federal contractors and technology companies. Annapolis Junction and Columbia near Fort Meade are significant hubs due to defense and intelligence community contracts. Baltimore itself supports engineering roles tied to Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and healthcare IT employers.
How to find principal systems engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Maryland?
Migrate Mate lists principal systems engineer roles in Maryland filtered to employers with verified visa sponsorship history, so you can focus your search on companies that have actively filed for engineering positions rather than applying broadly. The platform covers both cleared and commercial employers across the Baltimore-Washington corridor. Searching by role and state helps surface contractors, defense firms, and technology companies with recent sponsorship activity in Maryland.
Are there state-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for principal systems engineers in Maryland?
Maryland's heavy reliance on federal contracts creates a sponsorship dynamic tied closely to contract awards and renewals. Many senior engineering roles require a U.S. security clearance, which non-U.S. citizens cannot hold, so sponsorship is typically limited to unclassified positions or roles where clearance is not yet required at hire. Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland also feed graduate engineering talent into the local pipeline, shaping which employers are accustomed to sponsoring international candidates.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored principal systems engineer jobs in Maryland?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.