The individual has a Ph.D., MS or BS Degree in a recognized scientific or engineering discipline and a minimum of 20 years (BS), 15 years (MS), or 12 years (Ph.D.) experience in his/her technical field, including 5 years of hands-on systems engineering design and development experience, and 8 years of experience as a Chief, Project/System, or Primary Subsystem Engineer for one or more major systems.

This individual is capable of planning, directing and coordinating the activities of technical and support personnel, and must have the experience required to establish an effective interface between government and contractor personnel. Principal Engineers/Scientists possess at least five years of management/supervisory experience in the effective positive direction of subordinates. He/she has the experience required to transform a customer requirement into an operational system through the application of recognized systems engineering principles.

The Principal Engineer/Scientist possesses management skills in defense systems acquisitions needed to implement the requirements of DoD 5000.2, “Defense Acquisition Program Procedures”. Additionally, he/she possesses those system-engineering skills needed to fulfill the requirements of MIL-STD-499A, “Engineering Management”. The individual possesses computer skills sufficient to support analysis, documentation, and communication of systems engineering and program management data as identified in MIL-STD-499A. He/she is knowledgeable of overall organization, direction, and requirements of the contract efforts and is experienced in interfacing directly with government representatives and supervising various task order activities.

Principal Engineer/Scientist applicable technical fields include (not restricted to): aeromechanics, aerospace engineering, automated identification technology/systems, avionics, electronics, environmental, industrial operations, logistics, maintenance planning, manufacturing technology, product/quality assurance, production engineering, propulsion systems, reliability, availability and maintainability, systems engineering/analysis, structures and materials, software engineering, aviation safety, survivability, supply, technical data management, test and evaluation, and systems modeling.