Payload Integration Engineer Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

i3 is earching for a Project Engineer to join our team!

The Army Launched Effects (LE) Product Office develops and fields cutting-edge Launched Effects systems to enhance lethality, survivability, and situational awareness for Soldiers. We are a dynamic team dedicated to rapid innovation and delivering transformative capabilities to the warfighter. We are seeking a highly skilled Project Engineer/Manager to join our team and drive the development of kinetic payloads for Army Uncrewed platforms. In this role, you will leverage your expertise to analyze, assess, and manage the development, qualification, and integration of warheads, Electronic Safe and Arm Devices (ESAD), and other lethal aspects of One-Way Attack (OWA) and UAS across the entire lifecycle—from prototyping through production, fielding, and sustainment.

The Project Engineer/Manager will be a key leader within the engineering team, providing technical support and programmatic leadership in Defense Acquisition for lethal payloads. This position is responsible for monitoring cost, schedule, and performance for technical activities related to energetics, fuzing, and warhead integration within the LE product office. The role requires a strong understanding of systems engineering, project management principles, and weapons safety protocols, with a specific focus on arming UAS. You will collaborate closely with systems engineers, safety review boards, quality assurance personnel, energetics labs, and contractors to ensure the successful, safe, and efficient delivery of high-reliability lethal systems.

Duties:

• Contribute to and lead multi-disciplined project teams to execute program goals specifically focused on OWA UAS lethality.
• Provide technical leadership in the development, qualification, and integration of warheads, ESADs, and associated kinetic components.
• Monitor cost, schedule, and performance for technical activities, including specialized live-fire and explosive test schedules.
• Provide technical leadership in the development of acquisition plans, scopes of work, performance work statements, and contract requirements packages (CRP) for energetic payloads and fuzing systems.
• Investigate and resolve technical discrepancies in weapons systems, identify root causes, and lead the team to implement corrective actions ensuring compliance with rigorous safety standards.
• Identify technical and safety risks associated with lethal payloads and lead a team to develop effective mitigation solutions.
• Prepare written reports and briefings, formally presenting technical and programmatic information regarding warhead and ESAD development to senior management, program managers, and safety review boards.
• Coordinate payload integration, modification, and upgrade issues with other government agencies (e.g., energetics and fuzing labs), ensuring seamless integration and communication.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including explosive test reports, engineering change orders, and weapon safety-related acquisition documents.
• Support the build and testing of rapid prototypes to validate lethal design concepts and terminal effects.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, Systems, or related field).
• 5+ Years of relevant experience. 
• Demonstrated experience in the identification of technical risks and leading a team to develop solutions, particularly within energetics, fuzing, or kinetic weapons systems.
• Experience in performing Integrated Product Team (IPT) leadership on defense acquisitions programs.
• Strong experience preparing written reports and briefings and formally presenting to senior management.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively in a dynamic environment.
• U.S. Citizenship.

Desired:

• A Top Secret Security Clearance (or the ability to obtain one).
• Experience specifically with One-Way Attack (OWA) UAS, loitering munitions, or missile systems development and fielding.
• Direct experience managing the development and qualification of warheads and Electronic Safe and Arm Devices (ESAD).
• Familiarity with Joint Services Weapon Safety Review processes (e.g., Fuze and Munition safety boards, MIL-STD-1316).
• Proficiency with project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, JIRA).
• Experience with payload integration (sensors, guidance, and kinetic effects) and terminal guidance systems.
• Experience and understanding of System of Systems Engineering processes and their application to weapons integration.
• Experience with DoD acquisition processes, especially with rapid prototyping and fielding initiatives (e.g., Other Transaction Authority (OTA), Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)).
• Familiarity with DoD specifications and standards pertaining to explosive safety and environmental testing (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-2105).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to clearly communicate safety, engineering, risk, and technical information in discussions, documents, and briefings.
• Ability to interact professionally with customers, staff, contractors, vendors, government personnel, and stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize multiple technical tasks.
• Ability to work well under pressure while maintaining professionalism.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and logical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to evaluate system-level technical information and recommend practical safety solutions.
• Ability to support rapid innovation while maintaining disciplined system safety practices.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Initiative and willingness to support a rapidly evolving Launched Effects, UAS, safety, engineering, and acquisition environment.

Physical Demands:

• 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 regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.  
• The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.  
• Regular i3 hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, however, additional hours may be required on occasion. Regular and punctual attendance is required. 

i3 is a technically diverse, 100% team member owned business, headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama specializing in missile and aviation systems engineering and logistic services, electronic warfare and electromagnetic effects analysis, UAS system integration and flight operations, full lifecycle C5ISR engineering services, cybersecurity and IT/IA innovative solutions and virtual training, simulation & serious game development and implementation. We have established a broad offering of products and capabilities collectively providing decades of experience supporting the full complement of DoD military services, Missile Defense Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and a variety of other Government organizations and private industry customers.  

Perks of being a team member owner include:

• Long-term financial security
• Higher job satisfaction
• Greater job security
• Personal and professional growth
• Great company culture

Other outstanding benefits:

• Excellent insurance coverage
• 401(k) match
• Generous PTO
• Health and wellness incentives
• Tuition and certification reimbursement
• Countless opportunities to give back to the community through i3 Cares

We work hard. We compete hard. We play hard. Apply now to join us!