Who we are:

Fuse builds innovative communications, networking, and computing solutions that improve the sharing of information, video, text, and voice among operators distributed throughout the airborne, maritime, and ground environments.  We are a technology firm creating in-house software, network and hardware solutions that support our noble cause of advancing warfighter capabilities with elegant, user-focused communications, networks, and software systems. 

About This Role

Fuse is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to lead mission definition, architecture clarity, and integration risk reduction across complicated tactical communication systems. This role elevates systems engineering maturity and ensures predictable system behavior under operational stress.

Chief Engineer (ChEng) Designation

Depending on mission scope, system complexity, and organizational need, this role may be designated as a Chief Engineer (ChEng). When assigned, the ChEng is responsible for maintaining coherence across mission intent, architecture, integration strategy, technical risk posture, and delivery readiness throughout the Define–Design–De-risk–Deliver lifecycle. The ChEng serves as the technical authority for system readiness, mission effectiveness, and engineering execution, driving uncertainty reduction through modeling, simulation, experimentation, and progressive integration.

Key Responsibilities

Define

Establish and maintain Design Reference Missions (DRMs) that anchor mission intent and guide hypothesis formation
Translate customer intent into system-level behaviors
Identify mission-level risks and architectural uncertainties

Design

Lead system architecture definition across disciplines
Define critical interfaces and integration strategies
Conduct and lead trade studies to support architecture decisions
Frame Epics as architectural hypotheses, explicitly stating assumptions, mission impact, and risk posture
Ensure risks and opportunities are surfaced and managed at the architecture level rather than at execution detail

De-risk

Design and drive modeling and simulation strategies
Lead early integration experiments to reduce uncertainty
Ensure traceability from mission intent through validation
Own system-level risk posture and drive cross-discipline alignment to reduce integration uncertainty early in the lifecycle

Drive integration learning cycles that validate or invalidate architectural assumptions
Ensure Stories and integration events produce evidence tied directly to mission intent

Deliver

Establish objective delivery readiness criteria based on integration risk retirement rather than schedule milestones alone
Ensure integration and verification activities are aligned with mission threads
Ensure delivery readiness is based on validated system behavior under stress conditions, not artifact completion
Communicate confidence levels in system performance based on evidence generated through spiral iterations
Establish criteria for delivery readiness based on risk posture
Drive resolution of cross-discipline issues impacting system behavior
Ensure traceability from mission intent through formal validation
Communicate system risk posture to program and technical leadership
When designated as Chief Engineer (ChEng), serve as the technical authority for mission readiness, engineering execution, and cross-discipline architectural coherence across the system lifecycle

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related technical field or equivalent experience
10+ years of experience in complicated system development
Experience leading system architecture and integration efforts
Experience with requirements management tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS) in complex DoD programs
Demonstrated ownership of traceability from mission intent through verification artifacts (digital thread)
Demonstrated ability to lead iterative, uncertainty-reduction driven development efforts across hardware and software domains
Comfortable operating in environments where architecture evolves through experimentation and integration learning
Experience establishing and maintaining traceability from Design Reference Mission (DRM) through integration evidence
Demonstrated ownership of architectural risk posture at the Epic (hypothesis) level
Experience structuring integration and test activities as learning mechanisms to validate or refute system-level assumptions
Active U.S. Secret Clearance

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with SysML, Cameo, or MBSE practices
Experience using Jira or similar tools to coordinate cross-discipline integration efforts
Experience with digital engineering and simulation approaches
Experience implementing digital thread practices where traceability is treated as a learning signal rather than a compliance artifact
Experience operating above WBS structures, preserving contractual integrity while protecting architectural coherence
Experience interfacing directly with DoD customers

What Success Looks Like (12 Months)

Establishes architecture clarity across programs
Reduces late-cycle integration surprises
Elevates systems engineering maturity across the organization
May be designated as a Chief Engineer (ChEng) depending on scope, complexity, org need
When assigned as ChEng, serve as the technical authority for mission readiness, engineering execution, and cross-discipline architectural coherence across the system lifecycle

More about Fuse:

Founded in 2010, Fuse is a veteran-owned, rapidly growing small business. Our San Diego-based company has earned recognition as an emerging leader in airborne, maritime, and ground networking.  Placing the warfighter at the center of every design process, Fuse delivers intuitive, agile, and resilient products that go beyond national security requirements—providing lasting utility and game-changing results.  We take pride in our brilliant and talented team as well as our dynamic environment and collaborative, creative, environment.  We build cutting-edge hardware and software products that solve complex national security challenges for our warfighters at the tactical edge. 

Salary Range: $140,000 - $195,000 (+ Chief Engineer Bonus)

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Employee coverage is fully funded; a portion of dependents' coverage is funded as well

11 paid Federal Holidays
Paid Time Off (PTO)

Date of hire through second year: 10 days/year (accrued)
After two years: unlimited

40 hours of paid sick leave per year
401k with employer matching
Annual bonuses
Cell phone reimbursement: $100/month