Senior Systems Engineer - JobID-0236

Innovative Defense Technologies

Arlington (VA)

On-site

USD 135,000 - 273,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Competitive PTO

401(k) with immediate vesting

Professional Development Resources

Organization-Wide Monthly Tech Connect Events

Job summary

Innovative Defense Technologies in Arlington, VA, is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to join its Advanced Capabilities team. This role involves designing, testing, and integrating complex DoD systems while collaborating with senior warfighters and government sponsors.

The ideal candidate will have at least 7 years of relevant experience and a strong technical background in system design. The position requires an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance and offers a competitive compensation ranging from $135,000 to $273,000 per year.

Qualifications

7+ years of relevant experience.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
Experience with naval combat systems.

Responsibilities

Define and scope solutions based on stakeholder needs.
Design and architect structured, scalable system designs.
Integrate and validate systems to ensure quality standards.

Skills

Strong technical background in system design

Excellent communication skills

Proven leadership abilities

Strong problem-solving skills

Proficiency in programming languages (Java, C++, Python)

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, or equivalent experience

Tools

MBSE tools (MagicDraw/Cameo/Enterprise Architect)

Agile development tools (Jira, Trello)

IaC tools (Terraform, CloudFormation)

Version control systems (Git, Jenkins, GitLab)

Job description

About the Role

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to be part of our Advanced Capabilities team based in Arlington, VA.

The Senior Systems Engineer is a highly technical engineer within a fast‑paced, customer‑focused experimentation and deployment team. This role requires deep experience designing, testing, integrating, deploying, and operating complex software and hardware systems in mission‑critical environments.

The Senior Systems Engineer will design, architect, and integrate complex DoD software systems, lead test execution efforts in the field, interface directly with senior warfighters and government sponsors, and drive resolution of complex integration and operational issues during test events. This role is hands‑on and requires strong judgment, adaptability, and technical leadership in high‑visibility environments.

Location & Clearance Requirements

All applicants must currently possess an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
Position is on‑site in Arlington, VA requiring at least 5 days per week in the office.

Compensation: $135,000 - $273,000 per year

Location: 4401 Wilson Boulevard Suite 810, Arlington, Virginia, 22203

Responsibilities

Define and Scope Solutions: Interpret stakeholder needs to establish clear, prioritized requirements and success criteria that drive project outcomes.
Design and Architect Systems: Develop structured, scalable system designs that balance performance, reliability, and long‑term sustainability.
Integrate and Validate Systems: Coordinate component integration, execute testing, and ensure solutions meet functional and quality standards.
Leverage Insights and Data: Analyze customer feedback, research findings, and performance trends to inform design direction and enhance system effectiveness.
Collaborate and Share Knowledge: Mentor peers, exchange best practices, and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, another STEM field, or equivalent full‑time professional experience.
7+ years relevant experience.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time as needed.
Strong technical background in system design, integration, and deployment, with expertise in naval combat systems.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross‑functional teams and communicate technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.
Proven leadership abilities, leading and motivating teams to achieve project goals in fast‑paced environments.
Strong problem‑solving skills, analyzing complex technical challenges and developing innovative solutions.
Proficiency in designing and implementing systems architecture for scalable and distributed applications.
Understanding of different Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) approaches.
Experience with model development using SysML, UML, or other modeling languages.
Experience with the application of system architecture frameworks such as DODAF or UAF.
Experience with MBSE tools, such as MagicDraw/Cameo/Enterprise Architect, Teamwork Cloud, Rhapsody, and DOORS.
Knowledgeable in system analysis, verification, validation, and optimization techniques.
Ability to define and apply SE and MBSE methodologies and best practices within DoD Systems Engineering contexts.

Additional Qualifications

Experience with Navy combat systems such as the Aegis Weapon System or other Navy tactical applications.
DoD Surface Warfare software development domain knowledge and experience.
Solid understanding of networking principles, protocols, and security best practices.
Experience with infrastructure as code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or CloudFormation.
Familiarity with agile development methodologies and tools such as Jira or Trello.
Familiarity with DevOps methodologies and practices, including continuous integration, continuous delivery (CI/CD), and collaboration tools such as Git, Jenkins, GitLab.
Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, C++, or Python, along with experience in software development methodologies, version control systems, and code review practices.

Benefits