Staff/Senior Systems Engineer

University of Dayton; Dayton (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Dayton's research unit seeks a systems engineer to support multiple programs in systems engineering and digital engineering initiatives. The role involves working with government clients and translating Air Force DE guidance into actionable plans.

The successful candidate will mentor junior engineers and technicians, contribute to modeling standards, and help align project outputs with organizational objectives while advancing DE efforts within the team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, or related technical field.
• 3 years experience in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using tools such as Cameo/MagicDraw, Rhapsody, Enterprise Architect, or Capella.
• US Citizen and must be able to obtain security clearance.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills for a small team of modelers.

Responsibilities

• Support clients in understanding Air Force DE requirements and translate guidance into actionable plans.
• Translate client guidance into actionable plans and guide plan implementation.
• Provide technical direction for junior engineers, project managers, and technicians.
• Oversee modeling governance, ensuring quality and alignment with objectives.

Skills

Excellent communication

Leadership

Self-driven

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering or related technical field

Tools

Cameo/MagicDraw

Rhapsody

Enterprise Architect

Capella

Job description

Job No: 503338
Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)
Location: Dayton, OH
Category: Research Institute Staff
Department: Applied Digital Solutions - 250612
Pay Grade: R2/R3 - Exempt
Advertised: February 24, 2026
Applications close: Open until filled

Position Summary:

We are seeking a systems engineer to support multiple programs involving systems engineering (SE) and digital engineering (DE) initiatives. The successful candidate will be self-driven, an excellent communicator, have a strong background in digital and model-based engineering in defense or commercial applications. The position will support multiple clients, primarily government.

This position will support clients in helping them understand Air Force DE requirements and guidance, translate that guidance into actionable plans, and guide and support clients through plan implementation. It will also provide technical direction for assigned junior engineers, project managers, and technicians supporting DE efforts.

R2 Job Duties

• Support clients in helping them understand Air Force DE requirements and guidance by applying advanced technical concepts to solve complex problems
• Translate client guidance into actionable plans
• Guide and support clients through plan implementation
• Provide technical direction for junior engineers, project managers, and technicians as a subject matter expert, supporting DE efforts as needed
• Participate in and contribute to a team environment by working with all levels of employees
• Serve as an advocate for DE within and outside of UDRI, developing a reputation in the broader technical community as an expert

R3 Job Duties

• In addition to R2 duties
• Capture, document, and disseminate best practices, modeling standards, and lessons learned across the team.
• Oversee the consistency, quality, and alignment of models produced by the team with organizational objectives.
• Serve as the primary point of escalation for modeling issues, ensuring technical challenges are addressed efficiently.
• Work closely with systems engineering leadership to align team outputs with program and enterprise-level modeling strategies.
• Advocate for continuous improvement in modeling practices, tools, and methodologies.
• Contribute to the definition and enforcement of modeling governance processes and tool usage guidelines.
• Establish plans for transitioning to SysML 2.0.

Minimum Qualifications:

R2 Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, or related technical field.
• 3 years experience in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using tools such as Cameo/MagicDraw, Rhapsody, Enterprise Architect, or Capella.
• Demonstrated successful experience in any or all of the following:
  • Developing solutions architectures
  • Requirements derivation, flow down, & management
  • Understanding of SysML, UAF, DoDAF, and MBSE standards/frameworks.
  • Experience developing and implementing Government Reference Architectures (GRA’s)
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to work with a small team of modelers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for documenting best practices and conducting knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs.
• US Citizen and must be able to obtain security clearance.
• Attention to detail.

R3 Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, or related technical field.
• 8 years experience in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) using tools such as Cameo/MagicDraw, Rhapsody, Enterprise Architect, or Capella.
• 4 years' experience in aspects of digital engineering relevant to USAF acquisition/sustainment.
• Demonstrated successful experience in all of the following:
  • Developing solutions architectures
  • Requirements derivation, flow down, & management
  • Understanding of SysML, UAF, DoDAF, and MBSE standards/frameworks.
  • Experience developing and implementing Government Reference Architectures (GRA’s)
• Strong organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to lead a small team of modelers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for documenting best practices and conducting knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs
• US Citizen and must be able to obtain security clearance.
• Attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

R2 Preferred Qualifications:

• MS in engineering field or an MBA
• Systems engineering degree or certification
• 5+ years’ experience in systems engineering
• Experience in enterprise-level MBSE adoption or transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated successful experience in any of the following:
  • Supporting an AFMC program office in engineering role
  • Operating in Teamcenter or similar product lifecycle management (PLM) system
  • Working as systems engineer to drive product design on software related project

R3 Preferred Qualifications

• MS in engineering field or an MBA
• Systems engineering degree or certification
• 12+ years’ experience in systems engineering
• Experience in enterprise-level MBSE adoption or transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated successful experience in all of the following:
  • Supporting an AFMC program office in engineering role
  • Operating in Teamcenter or similar product lifecycle management (PLM) system
  • Working as systems engineer to drive product design on software related project
  • Directly guiding customer, subcontractors, and internal project teams to meet project objectives

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please list how you meet all of the minimum's and preferred's in your cover letter

Closing Statement:

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.

• Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater) 1