Parametric / Performance Systems Engineer

Parametric / Performance Systems Engineer
Senior Level | Westminster, CO | $100,000 - $130,000 | Clearance: Secret with the ability to obtain SAP

Lead portfolio-level performance engineering activities across a diverse aerospace and defense product portfolio, ensuring mission requirements are translated into measurable technical performance objectives. Drive system performance analysis, Key Performance Parameter (KPP) management, Technical Performance Measure (TPM) development, and model-based performance engineering to optimize system effectiveness, reduce risk, and establish common performance architectures across multiple programs.
A Day in the Life - What you'll do

• Lead the decomposition of high-level mission and customer performance requirements into measurable subsystem, component, and interface-level performance specifications.
  
• Develop and maintain Key Performance Parameters (KPPs), Technical Performance Measures (TPMs), and supporting performance metrics throughout the program lifecycle.
  
• Establish performance budgets, allocations, and engineering constraints that guide architecture development and system design decisions.
  
• Utilize analytical models, simulations, and performance assessments to predict system-level outcomes based on component-level performance data.
  
• Collaborate with systems, software, firmware, electrical, mechanical, optical, and integration teams to ensure performance requirements are achievable and traceable throughout development.
  
• Develop performance architectures that enable consistency, reuse, and common engineering approaches across multiple programs within the portfolio.
  
• Monitor technical performance throughout design, integration, testing, and verification activities to identify emerging risks and performance shortfalls.
  
• Evaluate trade studies and engineering alternatives to optimize mission effectiveness, technical performance, affordability, and schedule execution.
  
• Translate performance requirements and engineering analyses into Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) artifacts that support architecture development and decision-making.
  
• Support architecture reviews, technical reviews, milestone events, and customer engagements by presenting performance analyses and system-level assessments.
  
• Ensure performance requirements remain traceable from customer objectives through verification and validation activities.
  
• Drive cross-program standardization of performance modeling methodologies, engineering assumptions, and technical evaluation criteria.
  
• Mentor engineering teams on performance engineering principles, systems analysis techniques, and model-based performance assessment methodologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Optical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another STEM discipline from an accredited institution.
  
• 8+ years of Systems Engineering, Performance Engineering, Modeling & Simulation, or related technical experience supporting complex aerospace, defense, or advanced technology programs.
  
• Demonstrated experience decomposing high-level mission and performance requirements into verifiable subsystem and component-level requirements.
  
• Experience developing, managing, and tracking Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) and Technical Performance Measures (TPMs).
  
• Experience utilizing analytical models, simulations, and performance assessments to evaluate system-level performance.
  
• Hands-on experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and engineering models.
  
• Strong understanding of systems engineering lifecycle processes including requirements development, architecture definition, integration, verification, validation, and technical risk management.
  
• Experience conducting technical trade studies, performance analyses, and engineering evaluations that support program decision-making.
  
• Ability to translate complex performance requirements into actionable engineering tasks and measurable outcomes.
  
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams supporting highly complex technical systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting optical, electro-optical, infrared, imaging, sensor, or advanced payload systems.
  
• Experience developing performance architectures that support multiple programs or enterprise-level engineering portfolios.
  
• Experience with Cameo Systems Modeler, SysML, or other MBSE tools used to model system performance and behavior.
  
• Experience with engineering modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, STK, Python-based analysis frameworks, or equivalent tools.
  
• Experience supporting aerospace, space, missile defense, intelligence, or advanced defense technology programs.
  
• Knowledge of probabilistic analysis, sensitivity analysis, uncertainty quantification, and performance prediction methodologies.
  
• Experience conducting system-level trade studies involving performance, cost, schedule, and technical risk considerations.
  
• Familiarity with requirements management tools such as Jama Connect.
  
• Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Optical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  
• INCOSE certification or advanced Systems Engineering and Modeling & Simulation training.

Who is Caribou Thunder?

Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners.

35+ states and 20+ countries. We've delivered trusted solutions for over two decades - strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space.
Why Caribou Thunder? TEAM THUNDER - Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve.

Employee Advocacy
Mission Proven
Global Reach
Skilled Teams
Modern Tools
Empowering Culture

Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier - delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments.

We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence - disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions.
Employee Advocacy + Benefits

Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being - knowing their success drives ours.

Benefits include:

• Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
  
• 401(k) with 6% Company Match
  
• Flexible PTO & Work Schedule
  
• Education & Certification Reimbursement
  
• Support for Military Leave
  
• Work-Life Balance & Traditional Family Values

Your future, your flexibility, your well-being - we invest in you. Apply and let's connect.