Senior Systems Engineer (ABD - MDA)

Mission Driven Research, Inc; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Mission Driven Research, Inc is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to support the Missile Defense Agency's DoG program. You will lead interoperability efforts, coordinate across services and external developers, and guide technical analyses to mitigate risks while aligning with MDA objectives.

The role requires senior-level systems engineering expertise and clear communication with executives. You will participate in design reviews, test readiness activities, and ensure secure engineering

Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance required.
• 12+ years of related professional experience.
• Master's degree in STEM required.
• Strong understanding of MDA systems engineering processes and procedures.
• Experience with MDA system elements (e.g., Patriot, THAAD, Aegis, C2BMC).
• Secure development practices and cybersecurity-informed engineering.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Guam Interoperability Technical Lead identifying risks, issues, and observations.
• Coordinate with GDS JPO, services, and external developers for development and test assets.
• Track interoperability issues and provide metrics to MDA leadership.
• Support engineering milestones such as PDR/CDR and TRRs.
• Develop executive briefings and technical papers for senior leaders.
• Apply tools like DOORS, Windchill, and Qlik for analysis and coordination.

Skills

Active Secret clearance

Systems engineering

Executive briefing

Independent work

Microsoft Office

Education

Master's degree in STEM

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

DOORS

Windchill

Qlik

Job description

MDR is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to support the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Program Office delivering critical capabilities for the Defense of Guam (DoG). This role supports a priority national defense effort in a dynamic environment, ensuring effective integration of missile defense elements to protect a key strategic location. The selected candidate will provide senior-level systems engineering support, guiding technical efforts across multiple domains and ensuring alignment with MDA objectives.

What You'll Be Doing

• Serve as the Guam Interoperability Technical Lead identifying, prioritizing, and managing interoperability risks, issues, trouble reports and observations
• Coordinate with GDS JPO, the services, and external developers to ensure external support to MDA component offices for development, integration and test assets
• Champions all inter-element/inter-agency/service interoperability challenges to include tracking issue/trouble report progress and providing metrics to MDA leadership for all MDA Guam equities.
• Supports AB, DC, DE, DT and the MDA Director in management of interoperability issues that impact MDA Guam commitments
• Identifies and champions interoperability objectives for integration tests (e.g. JCIs, CDIs), exercises, test venues (e.g. development HWIL labs) and analysis venues to reduce design and interoperability risks prior to entering formal GDS testing
• Ensures MDS component offices, developers and test/analysis teams receive all externally-furnished data, information, models, test assets, threat/scenario data, and requirements to design, develop, test and field MDA components
• Perform integrated analysis and evaluation of DoG test events including Flight Tests, Ground Tests, and System Integration Check Out (SICO) activities
• Participate in and support engineering milestones such as Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews (PDR/CDR), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), and technical assessments
• Collaborate with stakeholders across MDA and supporting organizations to coordinate schedules, resolve issues, and ensure technical accuracy
• Provide input on secure system design considerations, risk identification, and mitigation strategies
• Lead or support technical interchange meetings (TIMs), action tracking, and meeting coordination
• Develop executive-level briefings, technical papers, and correspondence for senior leaders, including Flag Officers and SES personnel
• Coordinate GENser and SAP-level meetings and VTCs as needed
• Represent the Government customer in IPTs, working groups, and forums
• Apply engineering tools such as DOORS, Windchill, and Qlik for analysis and coordination
• Support efforts related to system security, including compliance tracking or integration of cybersecurity inputs into engineering processes

What Required Skills You'll Bring

• Active Secret clearance
• Master's Degree in STEM and 12+ years of related professional experience
• Strong understanding of MDA systems engineering processes and procedures
• Demonstrate understanding of system architecture and system
• Experience with MDA system elements (e.g., Patriot, THAAD, Aegis, C2BMC)
• Familiarity with secure development practices, configuration management, and cybersecurity-informed engineering
• Knowledge of the ETM-2 system and experience managing Congressional or routine taskers
• Ability to operate independently and communicate effectively across diverse technical teams
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project)
• Skilled in developing and delivering technical briefings to senior decision-makers

What Desired Skills You'll Bring

• Preferred background that includes exposure to secure system development and cybersecurity-informed engineering practices
• Bachelor's degree in STEM in addition to Master's degree in STEM

Position Requirements

• Clearance Required
  • Secret
• Position Level
  • Principal
• FT/PT
  • Full Time
• Years Related Work Experience
  • 12
• Education Level Required
  • Master's

Mission Driven Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. 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.

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