Senior Systems Engineer

Markon; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Markon is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to support an Intelligence Community client in Chantilly, Virginia. You will apply INCOSE principles to requirements development, system architecture, integration, verification, validation, and program execution across the full lifecycle.

The role demands active TS/SCI clearance with Full Scope Polygraph and 5+ years of senior-level experience. You will collaborate with sponsors, engineers, and mission personnel to deliver mission-critical

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph required.
• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline.
• 5+ years of senior-level INCOSE lifecycle experience.
• Experience providing programmatic support in Sponsor environment.
• Knowledge of systems engineering principles: requirements, architecture, integration, verification, validation.
• Experience maintaining systems engineering documentation and lifecycle artifacts.
• Understanding of technical program management: planning, risk, milestones.
• Ability to translate operational needs into technical requirements.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support systems engineering activities across the full INCOSE lifecycle.
• Apply methodologies to develop and implement mission-critical capabilities.
• Develop and manage system requirements aligned with sponsor objectives.
• Support architecture development, assessments, and trade studies.
• Provide programmatic and technical support to high-visibility sponsor programs.
• Develop and maintain systems engineering documentation and baselines.
• Coordinate integration, verification, and validation activities.
• Conduct risk assessments, gap analyses, and mitigation planning.
• Collaborate with sponsor stakeholders to translate needs into requirements.
• Support technical reviews, milestones, and design reviews.
• Monitor progress and engineering deliverables across lifecycle.
• Apply configuration management and requirements traceability.
• Evaluate new technologies to improve performance and interoperability.
• Communicate complex concepts to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Support continuous improvement of processes within sponsor environment.

Skills

INCOSE principles

Requirements analysis

System architecture

Verification & validation

Technical communication

Program management

Risk assessment

Cross‑functional collaboration

translating operational needs

Education

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Tools

MBSE

Cameo

MagicDraw

Rhapsody

IBM DOORS

Jama Connect

Job description

Description

Markon is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to support an Intelligence Community client in Chantilly, Virginia. This position will provide systems engineering and programmatic support to mission-critical, high-visibility programs throughout the full systems development lifecycle. The Systems Engineer will apply International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) principles and methodologies to support requirements development, system architecture, integration, verification, validation, and technical program execution.

Responsibilities

• Support systems engineering activities across the full INCOSE systems lifecycle, from concept development and requirements definition through integration, verification, validation, deployment, and sustainment.

• Apply established systems engineering methodologies, processes, and best practices to support the development and implementation of mission-critical capabilities.

• Develop, analyze, document, and manage system requirements, ensuring alignment with Sponsor mission objectives and operational needs.

• Support system architecture development, technical assessments, and engineering trade studies to evaluate alternative solutions and recommend technical approaches.

• Provide programmatic and technical support to high-visibility Sponsor programs, including planning, execution, coordination, and performance monitoring.

• Support the development and maintenance of systems engineering documentation, including requirements specifications, interface documentation, technical baselines, and lifecycle artifacts.

• Coordinate system integration, verification, and validation activities to ensure solutions meet technical, operational, and performance requirements.

• Conduct technical risk assessments, gap analyses, and feasibility studies to identify potential issues and recommend mitigation strategies.

• Collaborate with Sponsor stakeholders, program managers, engineers, developers, and mission personnel to translate operational needs into actionable technical requirements.

• Support technical reviews, milestone assessments, design reviews, and program status briefings throughout the systems development lifecycle.

• Monitor program progress, engineering deliverables, and technical dependencies to support successful execution of program objectives.

• Apply configuration management, change control, and requirements traceability practices to maintain consistency across system baselines and engineering documentation.

• Evaluate emerging technologies and engineering solutions to identify opportunities for improved system performance, interoperability, and mission effectiveness.

• Communicate complex technical concepts, engineering recommendations, and program risks to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

• Support continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, standards, and program execution practices within the Sponsor environment.

Qualifications

Required:

• An active TS/SCI clearance with Full Scope Polygraph (FSP) is required to be considered for this role.

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline such as Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.

• 5+ years of demonstrated senior-level experience supporting systems development activities across the INCOSE systems engineering lifecycle within the Sponsor organization.

• Experience providing programmatic support to systems development efforts and high-profile programs within the Sponsor environment.

• Working knowledge of systems engineering principles, including requirements analysis, architecture development, system integration, verification, and validation.

• Experience developing or maintaining systems engineering documentation, technical requirements, and lifecycle artifacts.

• Understanding of technical program management processes, including planning, risk management, milestone tracking, and coordination of engineering activities.

• Ability to evaluate technical requirements, identify engineering challenges, and develop practical recommendations supporting mission objectives.

• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams, program managers, and government stakeholders.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to communicate complex engineering concepts effectively to technical and nontechnical audiences.

Desired:

• 7+ years of relevant experience supporting systems engineering, systems development, or technical program execution within the Intelligence Community.

• Extensive experience supporting Sponsor-specific systems engineering processes, technical reviews, and high-visibility programs.

• Familiarity with INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook methodologies and established systems engineering best practices.

• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and modeling tools such as Cameo, MagicDraw, or IBM Engineering Systems Design Rhapsody.

• Experience using requirements management and traceability tools, such as IBM DOORS, Jama Connect, or similar platforms.

• Experience conducting technical trade studies, system architecture assessments, and engineering risk analyses.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies, DevSecOps practices, or hybrid systems engineering frameworks.

• Experience supporting technical program planning, schedule management, performance assessments, and engineering milestone reviews.

• Professional certifications such as INCOSE ASEP/CSEP/ESEP or Project Management Professional (PMP).

• Experience developing technical briefings, engineering decision packages, and executive-level program documentation.

Salary Range

USD $155,000.00 - USD $185,000.00 /Yr. The Markon pay range for this position is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Overview

Eager to join a team where your skills are valued, your growth is nurtured, and your impact is profound? Look no further than Markon, a premier consulting firm deeply dedicated to advancing our nation's most critical missions.

At Markon, we don't just offer jobs – we offer opportunities for personal and professional transformation. Empowering our employees to lead, innovate, and excel, we foster an environment where new ideas are not just welcomed but celebrated. As a perennial Washington Post Top Workplace, we prioritize the well-being and success of our team members, ensuring they can bring their best selves to work.

Headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, Markon has garnered national recognition for our unwavering dedication to excellence in serving the intelligence community, as well as federal civilian and defense agencies. Our growing reach extends across 17 states, 116 countries, and 5 continents, where our team of dynamic professionals collaborates to deliver unparalleled program and project management services.

Markon values people and the tremendous impact each individual can make – which is why we’re consistently recognized as one of the best places to work in federal government consulting. Here, you can help solve the nation’s most important challenges, surrounded by colleagues who help you grow, advance, and succeed. We are deeply dedicated to what matters – bringing out the best in each other to advance our clients’ missions.Join us and make a meaningful impact.

Markon is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.