Research Development Process Engineer Jobs in Chesapeake, VA

* This position is contingent upon contract award. *

* This position is eligible for a $500 ZelTech Non-Employee Referral fee. Contact ZelTech Recruiters for questions concerning this matter. *

Join Our Talent Community to Stay Connected!

Job Summary:
ZelTech is seeking resourceful and innovative multi‑disciplined individuals with RF, electrical, electronic, mechanical, and information‑systems engineering experience to support the design, development, integration, and testing of advanced electrical and electronic systems for unmanned systems (UxS).

This position provides on‑site systems development, prototype integration, prototype design, operational field support, and test support.

Responsibilities:

• Provide electrical engineering support for UxS advanced technology development, including the creation of system architectures and requirements in accordance with applicable Navy standards.
• Lead the design and development of electrical and electronic system architectures for UxS platforms and subsystems, including vehicle control, power conversion/distribution, and sensor integration.
• Support the development of vehicle control, power control, power conversion, and power distribution systems, including interface control to input sources and output loads.
• Oversee integration of electrical systems with mechanical, software, and communication subsystems.
• Interface with fabrication and prototyping teams to ensure manufacturability and quality of electrical builds.
• Support in‑house technology development initiatives, including feasibility assessments of proposals and ongoing projects from government, academia, and industry.
• Apply systems engineering and project management processes, including requirements development and traceability.
• Prepare technical and logistics documentation related to design improvements and performance requirements.
• Provide design recommendations for complex multi‑discipline systems.
• Provide operational support to fielded systems.
• Prepare statements of work, cost estimates, presentations, reports, and conduct technical research to support design and prototyping.
• Support project planning, design, development, and execution for research, development, investigations, analyses, demonstrations, and testing.
• Recommend improvements in design, operation, maintenance, and safety for assigned systems and equipment.
• Manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, providing technical recommendations and refinement strategies.
• Report on project status, risks, expenditures, and execution progress.
• Integrate multiple components and COTS/GOTS systems into various platforms and payloads at the system level.
• Plan, lead, and conduct hardware development and modification activities to adapt vendor‑manufactured hardware to meet Government needs.
• Analyze problems, define risks, and rapidly develop mitigation plans.
• Design and implement payloads or other equipment involving mechanical, electrical, software, and structural engineering.
• Demonstrate adaptability, innovation, creativity, and leadership on mission‑critical projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned to accomplish mission goals.

Requirements:

• Must be a US citizen.
• Must possess a Secret clearance.
• BA/BS in Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline, and ten (10) or more years of relevant experience.
• Successful background and drug screening check.

Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Requirements

• Experience applying MBSE methodologies to system architecture, requirements development, and system integration.
• Ability to develop, analyze, and maintain system models using industry‑standard MBSE tools.
• Familiarity with digital engineering practices and model‑centric design workflows.
• Experience generating system views, behavior diagrams, and interface definitions using SysML‑based tools.

Preferred Requirements:

• Previous experience with Government R&D.
• Engineering background supporting unmanned systems programs.
• Five (5) years of experience in UxS operations, maintenance, design, research, development, experimentation, and/or testing.

Preferred experience with the following systems engineering concepts and tools:

• SysML v2 modeling language
• Cameo Systems Modeler / MagicDraw
• MATLAB / Python
• Capella
• Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect

Preferred Professional Certifications:

• OMG (OCSMP) Systems Modeling Language Professional Certification
• INCOSE Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP)
• INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)

Physical Demands or Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The majority of the time is spent in an office setting.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance, vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

About ZelTech:

Founded in 1988 by Ret. Col. Jack L. Ezzell Jr., Zel Technologies is a trusted leader in national security, providing comprehensive research, development, engineering, and operational support to the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and federal agencies. Originally focused on leveraging operational and software expertise to improve time-critical targeting capabilities for the military, the company advanced its capabilities to provide scientific and HUMINT expertise for CBRNE collection and analysis. In the wake of 9/11, Zel Technologies rapidly expanded its capabilities to provide turnkey ISR support services to US Special Operations Forces (SOF), as well as advanced technical & operational intelligence, physical & data science, and engineering support services to the greater Intelligence and SOF Communities supporting global counterterrorism and CWMD operations.

Today, Zel Technologies remains at the forefront of intelligence missions, advancing CWMD and global counterterrorism efforts, while also addressing emerging threats posed by near-peer adversaries. Our team remains committed to delivering adaptive, innovative, and cost-effective solutions across multiple domains, in alignment with the mission priorities of the U.S. Government and its partner nations.

Our Mission:

Through our commitment to innovation and quality, our skilled teams deliver robust, technology driven solutions and insights that empower our customers to overcome complex challenges and achieve their mission objectives.

Our Workforce:

ZelTech team members represent a wide range of backgrounds, skills, experience, and personalities bound together by common objectives and mutual respect. You will join a caring community of professional, including many military veterans who challenge and support each other in seeking the right solutions to important matters.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 401k immediate vesting with company match
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account with company contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Bonuses for performance
• Voluntary life/accidental death & dismemberment
• Educational assistance and special training programs
• Voluntary benefits (accidental, critical illness, whole life)
• Group life insurance (Company paid)
• Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance (Company paid)
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Holiday Leave, Jury Duty, and Military Leave
• Health and fitness reimbursement
• Referral bonuses
• Employee discounts on various services and products

Equal Opportunities:

ZelTech is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, military status, genetic predisposition, or any other basis protected by law.