Senior Component Engineer

Position Title: Senior Component Engineer
Requisition ID: 1703
Position Location: Fairfax, VA
Position Reports To: Senior Manager, Electrical Engineering
Supervises Others: No

At Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES) division, we believe in the power of using strong engineering principles to drive innovation and solve complex problems. We foster a culture of rigorous engineering and continuous improvement, leveraging the full knowledge of our organization through collaborative product development processes that include design and peer reviews. We combine our expertise in space electronics with right-sized development processes to create innovative, high-performance space-based electronic systems that meet our customers' evolving needs.

We are a mission partner supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, and Civil space customers. We develop complex, radiation effects mitigated, designs that balance competing requirements in modern space programs, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enable our customers to achieve more in space.

Position Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented Component Engineer to serve as the ECAD Librarian and primary point of contact for electronic component data, research, and compliance. This role supports schematic and PCB design teams by ensuring accurate, reliable, and compliant component libraries within Altium Designer. The position also plays a key role in parts research, GIDEP compliance, and supporting the generation of PMPL reports for high-reliability programs. Familiarity with radiation effects on electronic parts is a strong plus.

Duties and Responsibilities

ECAD Library Management:

• Perform the role of ECAD Librarian, owning the creation, review, approval, and lifecycle management of electronic component libraries.
• Create, review, and maintain schematic symbols, PCB footprints, and component metadata in Altium Designer.
• Enforce library standards, naming conventions, and data quality requirements.
• Maintain version control, documentation, and traceability for all library components.

Parts Research & Selection:

• Conduct in-depth parts research to support design teams, including evaluation of electrical performance, reliability, availability, lifecycle status, and manufacturer data.
• Identify alternate and second-source components to mitigate supply chain and obsolescence risks.
• Work with engineering, supply chain, and quality teams to evaluate new components and vendors.
• Support component selection decisions for new designs and design revisions.

Compliance, Reliability & GIDEP:

• Maintain GIDEP compliance, including monitoring alerts, assessing impact to existing designs, and coordinating mitigation actions.
• Assist in documenting part-related risks, nonconformances, and corrective actions related to GIDEP notices.
• Ensure component data supports compliance with applicable reliability and quality standards.
  PMPL & Program Support:
• Aid in the generation and maintenance of PMPL (Preferred/Program Parts List) reports, including part validation, documentation, and approval workflows.
• Ensure PMPL data is accurate, current, and aligned with program and customer requirements.
• Support audits and reviews by providing traceable component data and compliance documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate closely with electrical engineers, PCB designers, quality, reliability, and supply chain teams.
• Support change management activities related to part updates, obsolescence, substitutions, and redesigns.
• Provide guidance and best practices for component usage and library standards.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience/combined education)
• 6+ years of related experience with a bachelor's degree OR a 4+ years of experience with a master's degree
• Experience in a Component Engineering, ECAD Librarian, or parts engineering role
• Strong working knowledge of Altium Designer, including part creation, review, and library maintenance
• Experience conducting electronic component research and supporting part selection

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with radiation effects on electronic parts (e.g., TID, SEE, SEL) and their impact on component selection
• Experience with GIDEP processes and compliance
• Experience supporting PMPL creation and maintenance, particularly in aerospace, defense, or space programs
• Knowledge of component lifecycle management, obsolescence mitigation, and vendor qualification
• Strong attention to detail and documentation skills
  

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits including but not limited to:

• Health benefits
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Basic life with AD&D
• Short term disability
• Long term disability
• Ancillary (Voluntary life with AD&D, accident, critical illness, hospital, and pet)
• Spending accounts (HSA, FSA, and DCFSA)
• Paid time off
• Holidays
• 401(k) (including company match)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Leaves (Parental, maternity, and military)
• Annual discretionary bonus (for eligible roles)
  
  

Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Trident Solutions is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact recruiting@tridsys.com.

Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)