Software System Engineer

Vosper Thornycroft Group; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A government advisory firm in Chantilly, VA, is looking for Software Experts to provide advisory support on software requirements and technical documentation. Each level (I, II, III) requires varying years of experience and degrees in Computer Science or related fields. Candidates must possess strong communication and analytical skills, and a TS/SCI with Poly clearance is required. This role emphasizes providing technical oversight and strategic guidance in software-intensive environments.

Qualifications

• 1-4 years of experience for Software Expert I, supporting software-intensive systems.
• 5-9 years of experience for Software Expert II, with oversight of contractor software development.
• 10+ years of experience for Software Expert III, providing advisory support in a non-developer role.

Responsibilities

• Support analysis of software requirements and maintain documentation.
• Review contractor plans and deliverables for compliance and quality.
• Provide strategic guidance and oversight across software-intensive programs.

Skills

Analytical skills

Documentation skills

Communication skills

Understanding of software development lifecycles

Technical oversight experience

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or related field

Master’s Degree preferred for Software Expert III

Job description

Overview

VTG is looking for a Software Expert in Chantilly, VA. (Note: Contingent upon program award).

Software Expert I provides advisory and analytical support to government program and technical staff, assisting with software requirements analysis, documentation, and oversight activities within a SETA environment.

Software Expert II provides independent technical advisory support, evaluating software solutions, requirements, and contractor performance to ensure alignment with mission and program objectives.

Software Expert III serves as a trusted technical advisor to government leadership, providing strategic guidance and oversight across complex software‑intensive programs in a SETA capacity.

What will you do?

Software Expert I

• Support analysis of software requirements, architectures, and design documentation
• Assist with review of contractor software deliverables for compliance with requirements and standards
• Support development and maintenance of technical documentation (requirements matrices, technical assessments, briefings)
• Participate in technical reviews, working groups, and stakeholder meetings as an observer/support role
• Track software risks, issues, and action items under senior guidance
• Support coordination between government stakeholders and development contractors

Software Expert II

• Analyze and assess software requirements, architectures, and design approaches
• Review contractor software plans, technical documentation, and deliverables for compliance and quality
• Support development of government technical guidance, standards, and evaluation criteria
• Advise program managers and technical leads on software risks, tradeoffs, and impacts
• Support Agile ceremonies and technical reviews as a government advisor (non‑coding role)
• Track and assess software‑related risks, dependencies, and integration considerations
• Prepare technical briefings and recommendations for government leadership

Software Expert III

• Provide senior‑level advisory support on software architecture, design, and lifecycle strategy
• Lead government reviews of contractor software approaches, roadmaps, and deliverables
• Advise program leadership on software risks, technical debt, scalability, and sustainability
• Support development of software governance frameworks, standards, and evaluation criteria
• Participate in senior technical reviews, milestone events, and executive briefings
• Assess alignment of software solutions with mission objectives and enterprise architecture
• Mentor junior and mid‑level software experts
• Support acquisition and source selection activities with technical expertise, as required

Do you have what it takes?

• TS/SCI with Poly Required

Software Expert I

• 1-4 years of experience supporting software‑intensive systems or technical programs
  Basic understanding of software development lifecycles (Agile, DevSecOps, or waterfall)
  Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience supporting federal, DoD, or IC programs, Exposure to requirements management or technical review processes, Familiarity with Agile or DevSecOps concepts from an oversight perspective

Software Expert II

• 5-9 years of experience supporting software‑intensive systems or programs
  Strong understanding of software lifecycles, architectures, and integration principles
  Experience performing technical reviews or oversight of contractor software development
  Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience supporting IC, DoD, or DOJ mission programs, Experience in Agile, SAFe, or DevSecOps environments in an advisory capacity, Familiarity with cloud, data, or mission system software architectures

Software Expert III

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred
• 10+ years of experience supporting software‑intensive systems or enterprise platforms
• Deep understanding of modern software architectures and development lifecycles
• Proven experience providing technical oversight and advisory support (non‑developer role)
• Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and briefing skills
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience supporting IC, DoD, or DOJ mission‑critical programs, Experience advising on large‑scale or multi‑vendor software programs, Familiarity with Agile at scale (SAFe), DevSecOps, and cloud‑based architectures