Senior Systems Engineer

Socket.dev; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Odyssey seeks a T-7A Instructional Training Systems Engineer to lead development and verification of advanced training systems for the USAF, including GBTS and MTS. You will drive ISD, IMI, Type 1 training and XR integration, and participate in program reviews to ensure mission-ready capabilities.

The ideal candidate brings senior-level DoD experience, effective communication, and a proven track record in cross-functional team leadership and complex verification activities.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: US citizen required.
• Security Clearance: Secret.
• Education and experience: Master’s/PhD with 15 years in the discipline (12 in DoD) OR BA with 20 years in the discipline (15 in DoD).

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for development, verification, and integration of training systems (GBTS, MTS).
• Lead ISD, IMI, Type 1 training, and extended reality design reviews and verification across training systems.
• Support program documentation, reviews, meetings, and government verification events (SIMCERT, FCA, TRR, etc.).
• Engage with government stakeholders and cross-functional teams to ensure schedule and performance goals are met.

Skills

Independent work/ownership

Technical leadership

Communication

Strategic problem solving

Collaboration

Planning/organization

Education

Master's or Doctorate ABET engineering

Bachelor's degree ABET engineering + 20 years DoD experience

Job description

Position Summary

Odyssey has an exciting opportunity for a T-7A Instructional Training Systems Engineer, supporting the Training Directorate (WN) Program AFLCMC/WN. This program focuses heavily on Training System Requirements Analysis, Instructional Systems Design (ISD), Interactive Multimedia Instruction (IMI), and Type 1 Training supporting AF interests and the T-7A Program Office.

You'll join a dynamic team at the forefront of revolutionizing pilot training for the U.S. Air Force while playing a pivotal role in the Advanced Pilot Training (APT) program, powering the next generation of training systems for our nation's warfighters. This position is a non-supervisory lead engineering role, placing you at the center of technical innovation and integration for this cutting-edge program.

In this role, you will provide technical leadership for the development, verification, and integration of the T-7A's advanced training systems including the Ground Based Training Systems (GBTS) and the Maintenance Training System (MTS). Your responsibilities will have a special focus on training system requirements analysis, ISD, IMI, Type 1 training, and extended reality devices conducting in-depth design analysis, leading Training Systems design reviews, and managing the verification of all system requirements across ISD and interactive instructional media. Your expertise will be critical in evaluating the value, risk, and feasibility of proposed development and production approaches for Interactive Multimedia Instruction, Type 1 training, extended reality, and beyond, ensuring the program stays on track to deliver unparalleled training capabilities.

Responsibilities

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

You will apply an understanding of DoD, AF, and common engineering/scientific principles, processes, and procedures to improve performance and sustainability of existing and future AF and joint service weapon systems.

The successful candidate will be able to provide assistance with the following training system requirements: definition, development, integration, verification methods, sustainment, modeling/simulation, test and evaluation, and certification across all platform-required training systems. You will be required to assist with reviewing, developing, and updating applicable program documentation for training systems requirements. In addition to supporting program level meetings/working groups/reviews you will assist with supporting and attending the following training system specific meetings/working groups/reviews: Government over-the-shoulder events, training systems \"cold-starts\" Government verification testing, Simulation Certifications (SIMCERT), FCA, PCA, TRR, and any other training system meetings/reviews as applicable.

Qualifications

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen

Clearance: Secret

Education and experience:

• Master's or Doctorate Degree in a related field from an ABET-accredited engineering program and 15 years of experience in the respective technical / professional discipline being performed, 12 years of which must be in the DoD.
• OR bachelor's degree in a related field from an ABET-accredited engineering program and 20 years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, 15 of which must be in the DoD.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current Secret clearance
• Undergraduate and/or graduate engineering degree from a college or university with anAccreditationBoardofEngineeringandTechnology(ABET)accredited engineering program.
• Experience with armament systems (air-to-air, air-to-surface munitions, missiles, or related systems)
• Knowledge of DoD acquisition lifecycle processes and DoDI 5000 series

Additionally, the successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

Technical Skills

• Possesses the advanced knowledge, experience and recognized ability to be considered an expert in their technical/professional field, possess the ability to perform tasks and oversee the efforts of junior and journeyman personnel within the technical/professional discipline.
• Will demonstrate advanced knowledge of their technical/professional discipline as well as possess a comprehensive understanding and ability to apply associated standards, procedures and practices in their area of expertise. (Program Office, Enterprise and Staff Level Support interface).

Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to operate independently and as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team
• Effective Communication: Strong ability to communicate complex acquisition and program management concepts clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, to diverse audiences including senior leadership.
• Strategic Problem Solving: Demonstrated aptitude for identifying programmatic challenges and proactively recommending viable solutions and alternative courses of action.
• Collaboration & Team Support: Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including government stakeholders and external agencies, to achieve program objectives and resolve issues.
• Organizational & Planning Skills: Skilled in managing multiple priorities, coordinating program activities, and supporting structured planning efforts to ensure alignment with cost, schedule, and performance goals.

Additional Information

Location: Wright Patterson AFB , Ohio

Travel: May be required up to 10-20% depending on program needs

Work Environment: Onsite

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Company Overview

Odyssey is a world-class technical, engineering, and integration company serving the warfighting ecosystem with airborne integration, ISR, C2, and warfighter readiness capabilities. Odyssey meets the military's operational needs by integrating layered defense systems from equipment, technology, and services to data, information, and business operations. We streamline defense acquisition and sustainment, engineering the technical battlefield with domain-specific proficiency to ensure lethality. Odyssey is dedicated to excellent contract execution, peak organizational performance, and fostering a workplace built on employee care.

Odyssey is proud to live out our core values of commitment, ambition, and respect in our work and communities through OdysseyCares, a philanthropic group focused on giving back through direct donations, an employer