Principal Integration Engineer

Job Title: Principal Integration Engineer Job Description The Principal Integration Engineer leads complex integration efforts across hardware, software, networking, and platform components to deliver fully integrated mission systems. This role develops integration strategies, executes system builds, resolves multi-disciplinary technical issues, and ensures that all system elements work together seamlessly and reliably. The engineer collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, strengthens integration practices, and plays a key role in delivering next-generation mission systems in a modern, digital, and highly technical environment. Responsibilities Lead subsystem and system-level integration planning and execution across hardware, software, networking, and platform components. Develop and maintain integration strategies, build sequences, dependency maps, and technical approaches for complex systems. Verify and troubleshoot hardware and software interfaces across system boundaries in partnership with Software, Hardware, Systems, Cyber, and Project Engineering teams. Lead system build, installation, configuration, and baseline management using approved releases and controlled configurations. Identify integration risks, blockers, missing dependencies, and sequencing issues, and drive them to timely closure. Troubleshoot complex integration issues using logs, diagnostics, network analysis, scripting, and engineering debug tools. Coordinate software versions, hardware revisions, configuration baselines, and required integration assets to maintain system coherence. Support the development and improvement of integration environments, lab workflows, setup processes, and automation capabilities. Maintain traceability between requirements, interfaces, and integrated capabilities to ensure alignment with system objectives. Coordinate issue tracking, configuration updates, change inputs, and release impacts associated with integration activities. Lead cross-functional technical execution across Systems, Software, Hardware, Quality, Configuration Management, and Program teams. Support readiness activities, technical demonstrations, and customer-facing integration events, including on-site integration with customer teams. Mentor junior engineers, promote technical rigor, and strengthen integration discipline across the engineering organization. Architect integration approaches that leverage virtualization, containerization, and modern networking within lab and field environments. Apply AI and automation where appropriate to streamline integration, testing, and troubleshooting workflows. Take ownership of assigned tasks, proactively identify problems, and propose practical, well-reasoned solutions. Contribute to building a positive, collaborative engineering culture focused on innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement. Perform other related integration and systems engineering duties as assigned. Essential Skills Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience. 8+ years of experience in systems integration, systems engineering, hardware/software integration, or closely related technical roles. Demonstrated experience leading subsystem or system-level integration in a structured engineering environment. Hands-on experience verifying and troubleshooting hardware/software interfaces such as Ethernet, serial, USB, CAN, or similar I/O interfaces. Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills across software, hardware, networking, and integrated systems. Experience with system build processes, version coordination, baseline management, and defect/issue tracking tools. Proven ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines to resolve technical issues and maintain execution momentum. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly convey technical status, risks, and recommendations. 7–20 years of experience working with Linux, virtualization, containerization, and networking in an integration or systems role. Practical Linux system administration or engineering experience (e.g., RHEL, CentOS, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu, Debian). Experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware vSphere/ESXi, vCenter, Hyper-V, KVM, Xen, Citrix, or similar platforms. Experience with containerization and container orchestration technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, Podman, or Rancher. Hands-on networking experience with TCP/IP, UDP, routing, switching, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, NAT, and related network services. Experience with network devices and platforms such as Cisco, Juniper, Arista, Palo Alto, Fortinet, firewalls, VPNs, and load balancers. Ability to use tools such as Wireshark and packet analysis techniques for network troubleshooting. Familiarity with DevSecOps or automation concepts, scripting, and version control (e.g., Git) to support integration and automation tasks. Ability to obtain or maintain a security clearance, as required for work on defense-related systems. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience working with combat systems, C2 (command and control) environments, or mission systems integration. Understanding of cyber protocols, network security concepts, and secure network configurations. Experience with advanced network technologies such as SDN, F5 load balancers, and complex LAN/WAN infrastructures. Hands-on experience with Kubernetes clusters, microservices architectures, container platforms, and container security. Familiarity with service mesh technologies such as Istio and related observability or security tooling. Linux system administration skills including Bash or shell scripting, SELinux, and web services such as Apache or NGINX. Experience with DevSecOps and automation tools such as Ansible, Terraform, Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, Puppet, or Chef. Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code (IaC), CI/CD pipelines, and automated deployment practices. Exposure to cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, including government or hybrid cloud environments. Experience with managed Kubernetes services such as EKS, AKS, or ECS in support of integration or platform engineering. Scripting or programming experience in Java or other languages to support integration, automation, or tooling. Experience as a Platform Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer, Systems Engineer, or Systems Integration Engineer. Experience as a Kubernetes administrator or working with OpenShift in enterprise or mission-critical environments. Demonstrated use of AI or automation to streamline engineering workflows, testing, or troubleshooting. Active security clearance is a strong plus. Strong sense of ownership, with the ability to independently drive tasks from definition through completion. Problem-solving mindset that focuses on identifying issues and bringing forward well-considered solutions. Positive, collaborative attitude and desire to contribute to a high-performing, mission-focused engineering culture. Work Environment This role operates primarily in a lab-based environment focused on integrating, configuring, and testing complex mission systems. Most work takes place at a computer, architecting integration approaches, working with virtualization and containerization technologies, and spending significant time in the lab executing integration and troubleshooting activities. The position follows a hybrid schedule with three days on-site and two days remote each week, with flexibility to choose on-site days. Core collaboration hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with flexibility to schedule additional hours around that window. The role includes periodic domestic travel, typically about once per quarter, for integration activities at customer sites on Army bases, with trips usually lasting from one to three weeks. During these trips, the engineer supports on-site integration, testing, and demonstrations alongside customer and internal teams. The work environment emphasizes modern digital engineering practices, open systems, and next-generation mission systems integration across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains, with a culture that values agility, innovation, and collaboration. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Huntsville, AL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $80.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Huntsville,AL. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 24, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options. San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.