Associate / Junior Systems Engineer

GRVTY; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plan

HSA contribution

Paid time off

Parental leave

401k with match

Training opportunities

Awards programs

Company events

Job summary

GRVTY is seeking an Associate / Junior Systems Engineer to join an agile, multi-team effort supporting mission-critical satellite ground systems. You will translate operational needs into MBSE artifacts, interface specifications, and software requirements.

This hands-on role is ideal for an early-career systems engineer to grow MBSE skills, SysML modeling, and collaboration within an agile environment, with opportunities to contribute to demos and reviews.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with poly and ability to obtain required access.
• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field with 2+ years of experience, or Master’s with 0–1+ years.
• Foundational knowledge of satellite systems, ground segments, C2, or mission ops workflows.
• Exposure to MBSE principles and SysML diagramming.
• Familiarity with JSON/XML and HTTP/REST interfaces.
• Experience using Jira/Confluence for tasks and docs.
• Understanding of SDLC and test planning concepts.

Responsibilities

• Decompose requirements into functional needs, use cases, and interfaces.
• Maintain architecture models and link them to requirements and tickets.
• Work with agile teams in sprint planning, standups, and backlog refinement.
• Document software-facing interface protocols and data schemas.
• Support verification by mapping tests to requirements and executing tests.
• Attend TEMs and contribute data to demos and reviews.

Skills

Top-Secret clearance

2+ years professional exp.

SysML modeling

JSON/XML basics

HTTP/REST familiarity

Jira

Confluence

SDLC understanding

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering/Aerospace/CS

Master’s degree (0–1+ years experience)

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

What Impact You'll Have

We are seeking a motivated Associate / Junior Systems Engineer to join an agile, multi-team engineering initiative supporting mission‑critical satellite ground systems. In this role, you will work alongside experienced systems and software engineers to translate operational needs into working digital engineering artifacts, interface specifications, and software requirements. This is a hands‑on position ideal for an early‑career systems engineer looking to expand their skills in modern Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), agile software collaboration, and satellite ground mission operations.

What You’ll Be Owning

• Assist in decomposing customer requirements, operational concepts, and system workflows into functional requirements, use cases, sequence diagrams, and interface control documentation under the guidance of senior staff.
• Update and maintain behavioral and structural architecture models using SysML tools, helping ensure model elements link cleanly to requirements and downstream software tickets.
• Embed with an agile development team to participate in sprint planning, stand‑ups, and backlog refinement. Assist developers in interpreting requirements and defining clear acceptance criteria for user stories.
• Help document software‑facing interface protocols, message structures, and data schemas (such as REST, JSON, or message queues) to support ground segment communications.
• Support verification and validation efforts by drafting test steps, mapping test cases to system requirements, and working with software testers to execute automated verification test runs.
• Attend technical exchange meetings (TEMs) and working groups, document action items, and contribute technical data to customer demonstration decks and review packages.

What You Must Have

• Active or current Top‑Secret clearance with SCI access and polygraph (TS/SCI with poly).
• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline) with 2+ years of professional engineering experience (or Master’s degree with 0–1+ years).
• Foundational knowledge of satellite systems, ground segments, Command and Control (C2), or mission operations workflows.
• Academic or professional exposure to Model‑Based Systems Engineering principles and SysML diagramming
• Familiarity with software communication fundamentals, including data formatting (JSON/XML) and standard interface protocols (HTTP/REST, messaging queues).
• Practical experience using agile collaboration tools such as the Atlassian suite (Jira, Confluence) for task tracking and documentation.
• Understanding of basic test planning, requirements verification concepts, and the software development lifecycle (SDLC).

What Would Be Nice To Have

• Basic familiarity with modern containerization concepts or microservice architectures (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Exposure to automated testing tools or scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash) used for test verification.
• Understanding of satellite mission threads or space‑to‑ground telemetry and command flow.
• Eagerness to learn complex mission domains and develop deep MBSE modeling capabilities.

Pay Range

At GRVTY, we understand that compensation is influenced by many factors—such as geographic location, federal contract labor categories, wage rates, prior experience, skillsets, education, and certifications.

• The pay range for this position is: $100,000 - $160,000

Colorado Pay Range

$100,000—$160,000 USD

Virginia Pay Range

$100,000—$160,000 USD

Why Choose GRVTY

The toughest national security challenges demand vision and ingenuity, not just resources. We deliver mission and technical expertise to outpace our adversaries. We’re purpose‑built to tackle the most entrenched, systemic national security issues around the world. We partner with our customers to help them overcome challenges in every corner of technology and defense—including the ones still being explored. Our growing capabilities create complementary advantages, giving on‑the‑ground operations the edge they need to succeed. We muster everything we have to answer every challenge presented, every day of our lives. At GRVTY, we believe that when our employees thrive, our company thrives. That’s why we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your well‑being, growth, and work‑life balance.

• Robust health plan including medical, dental, and vision
• Health Savings Account with company contribution
• Annual Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401k with generous company match
• Training and Development Opportunities
• Award Programs
• Variety of Company Sponsored Events

EEO Statement

GRVTY, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Anyone requiring reasonable accommodations should [e-mail] call 703-544-7930 with requested details. A member of the HR team will respond to your request within 2 business days.

Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (eeoc.gov)