DTRA Systems Engineer

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.; Maryland; On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) seeks a Systems Engineer to provide onsite support at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Edgewood, MD.

Responsibilities focus on advisory support to DTRA CB Defense, coordinating programmatic tasks and ensuring technical feasibility and strategic alignment. The candidate will draft transition agreements, review technical reports, and support government meetings, leveraging military operational understanding to guide technology development and protection

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or physical science-related field.
• 5+ years of experience in science and technology project management.
• Experience in application and analysis of engineering principles for future chemical and biological defense technologies.
• Strong communication skills (written and oral).
• Strong analytical skills.
• Active Secret clearance with eligibility for Top Secret clearance.
• Able to work fully onsite based on client needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject-matter expertise in chemical and biological threat detection and materials decontamination to RD-CBP managers.
• Draft technology transition agreements between developers and JSTO; draft long-range Broad Agency Announcements for JSTO.
• Review proposals for technical feasibility and strategic alignment; evaluate progress and reports.
• Support meetings with government clients and performers; monitor funding and programmatic metrics.
• Coordinate communications of project priorities and actions to internal and external audiences.

Skills

Project management

Strong communication

Strong analytical

Security clearance

Onsite work

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or physical science

Master's degree in engineering

Job description

Oct 07, 2026

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of War, Interagency Division (JOID) provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.

JOID assists the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in developing leading edge technologies to counter WMD in support of Combatant Commands (CCMDs) and transitioning these technologies to military services CCMDs. SPA provides expertise across the full range of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives (CBRNE) WMD, Counter Improvised Threat and Countering Threat Network technologies to support understanding, detection, identification, characterization, denial, control, disabling, defeating, disposing, safeguarding the force, managing consequences, and test and evaluation in support of military and civilian operations.

We have an upcoming need for a Systems Engineer to provide onsite support at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Edgewood, MD .

Responsibilities

This position provides Assistance and Advisory Support (A&AS) to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Chemical and Biological (CB) Defense Department, Physical Technologies Division (RD-CBP). The Physical Technologies Division orients on chemical and biological defense in the area of physical detection, protection, and hazard mitigation. The candidate will provide scientific and project management support while leveraging U.S. military operational understanding to maximize client support for chemical and biological detection, protection, and hazard mitigation technology development. Provide subject matter expertise in the area of chemical and biological threat detection and material decontamination science, technology, and engineering to RD-CBP science and technology managers, understand capability gaps and assisting in establishing project- and product-level strategy and priorities, and ensure portfolios are responsive and mapped to program goals. Draft technology transition agreements between the advanced developers and Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO), draft long-range Broad Agency Announcements for JSTO, review proposal submissions for technical feasibility and strategic alignment, review technical reports and statements of work to ensure technical validity, evaluate current and emerging protection technologies, and facilitate cross-communication regarding program priorities and courses of action. Provide programmatic, logistics planning, and execution support for meetings with the government clients and their performers, monitor funding documentation and other programmatic metrics for within the division, and assist with drafting presentations, papers, and other programmatic documentation for both technical and senior leader audiences. Determine needs and opinions of warfighters for emerging technologies and conduct presentations of technology developed by the Physical Science and Technologies Division. Formulate, coordinate, and consolidate complex technical, programmatic, and strategic responses to support division initiatives to a variety of internal and external audiences.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or physical science-related field.
• 5+ years of experience in science and technology project management.
• Experience in application and analysis of engineering principles for future chemical and biological defense technologies.
• Strong communication skills (written and oral).
• Strong analytical skills.
• Active Secret clearance with eligibility for Top Secret clearance.
• Able to work fully onsite based on client needs.

Desired:

• Master's degree in engineering.
• Active Top Secret clearance.
• Demonstrated experience with technology prototyping or automation.
• U.S. military experience.
• U.S. Army Chemical Corps or similar U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, or U.S. Marine Corps experience with chemical and biological defense.