Senior System Engineer

Cornerstone Defense LLC; Maryland; On-site; USD 245,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision Plans

Generous PTO Policy

401(k)

Tuition Reimbursement and Training

Fitness Reimbursement Program

Job summary

Cornerstone Defense LLC is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer located in Annapolis Junction, MD. This role is pivotal in supporting the design, development, and maintenance of complex systems, requiring an active TS/SCI clearance. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in engineering, with significant experience managing systems throughout their lifecycle.

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as generous PTO and 401(k) options among other perks. This is a great opportunity to work in a dynamic environment where analytical skills and attention to detail are crucial.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field required.
• 7+ years of relevant experience for Bachelor's; less for Master's/Doctoral.
• Experience in engineering systems lifecycle is essential.

Responsibilities

• Drive system-level requirements analysis for complex programs.
• Architect and validate end-to-end system designs.
• Lead integration and acceptance testing for large-scale systems.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work in dynamic environments

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or relevant field + 7 years experience

Master’s degree + 5 years experience

Doctoral degree + 3 years experience

Job description

Title: Senior Systems Engineer

Location: Annapolis Junction, MD

Compensation Range: $245 - $265K

Clearance: Active TS/SCI w/ Polygraph needed to apply

Position Description

The Systems Engineer supports the design, development, integration, and maintenance of complex technical systems, ensuring they operate reliably and meet organizational needs. This role works closely with cross‑functional teams to translate requirements into effective system solutions, troubleshoot issues, implement improvements, and maintain thorough technical documentation. The Systems Engineer evaluates system performance, supports lifecycle management, collaborates with vendors when needed, and ensures alignment with industry best practices. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a dynamic technical environment are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or relevant technical field plus 7 years of relevant experience, OR Master’s degree plus 5 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 3 years of relevant experience.
• Relevant experience must be in engineering systems over their lifecycle (for example, conception, design & development, testing, production, distribution/ deployment, operation, maintenance & support, decommissioning).

Responsibilities

• Drive system-level requirements analysis and lead CONOPS development for complex programs.
• Architect and validate end-to-end system designs, including functional and physical architectures.
• Oversee value modeling, trade studies, and risk analysis for major design decisions.
• Define and approve test and evaluation frameworks, ensuring alignment with customer standards.
• Lead integration and acceptance testing for large-scale systems and mentor junior engineers.
• Serve as a technical authority for interface design, data modeling, and system specifications.
• Apply advanced engineering principles (control theory, signal processing, networking, software development) to optimize system performance.
• Provide strategic guidance on lifecycle management, system upgrades, and technology insertion.
• Represent the organization in customer and vendor engagements, ensuring technical compliance and innovation.

Benefits Overview

• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Generous PTO Policy
• 401(k)
• HSA and FSA options
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement and Training
• Perks at Work Discount Program
• Referral Program
• Leads Generation Program
• CollegeAmerica 529
• Fitness Reimbursement Program
• Travel Assistance
• Norton Lifelock Benefit Solutions
• Life Planning Financial & Legal Services