System Engineer, Level 3 with Security Clearance

Independent Software, Inc.; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement & 401(k) matching

Paid time off and holidays

Professional training opportunities

Job summary

Independent Software is seeking a System Engineer, Level 3 for Fort Meade, MD. You will lead system engineering efforts, align architectures to DoDAF/SOA, and drive requirements from concept to production across a DoD context.

Requirements include a 20-year engineering track record, a bachelor’s in a related field, and an active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph. You’ll collaborate in a fast-paced team with strong emphasis on documentation and risk management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum twenty years of Systems Engineering experience on large programs.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.
• Proven leadership in requirements analysis and system architectures.
• Strong documentation, briefing, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Analyze requirements and high-level architectures to develop system requirements specifications.
• Lead system design and development activities aligned with approved architectures.
• Guide users in formulating requirements, evaluating alternatives, and feasibility studies.
• Manage requirements to ensure delivery of production systems compatible with DoDAF and SOA.
• Develop and maintain system architecture and design documentation.
• Coordinate and review engineering documents and participate in IPTs to design new capabilities.
• Perform trade studies, risk assessments, and lifecycle cost analyses.
• Define verification methods and ensure robust configuration management throughout the lifecycle.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Requirements analysis

DoDAF alignment

System architecture design

Verification and testing

Configuration management

Trade studies and risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering or related field

Twenty years of System Engineering experience

Active TS/SCI with polygraph

Tools

DoDAF

SOA

Job description

Who are we? Independent Software is a consulting, product, and solutions firm dedicated to the practical application of software and system engineering technologies to solve complex problems. We bring together world class engineers with proven engineering best practices, domain expertise, commercial technologies, and proven agile management approaches to create high value solutions aimed at helping our customers meet their most critical business and mission objectives. Why Independent Software? We are focused on continual learning and evolution. We don’t do things because “that’s the way we’ve always done things”; we listen to our employees and adapt to the changing marketplace. We look at the big picture and encourage our engineers to get training and certifications in emerging technologies that will help shape our customer’s mission. We’ve been profitable year after year. We’re always on the lookout for great engineers to join the team and we recognize that our employees are the heart and soul of what we do. We focus on recruiting talented people, treating them right, and then allowing them to do what they do best. No red tape. No micromanagement. Smart people want to work with smart people, and we love people who are passionate about what they do and finding ways to do it better.

Top Reasons to Work at Independent Software:

• Great people deserve even better benefits, from comprehensive healthcare coverage and generous leave time to discounts with all our vendors.
• You are not just a job title. That's why we tip the work-life balance scale in your favor. It's not about being billable, it's about being valuable.
• Whether you're working on-site or in our offices, your role at Independent Software is just as critical to our success as your coworker's.
• We're constantly researching and implementing the latest technology, so you've always got the right tools at your disposal.
• As we've grown, we've retained that small company feel. When we say we have an open-door policy, we actually mean it.
• Independent Software is comprised of wonderfully generous folks. We believe in supporting the causes our employees care about. Bring us an opportunity to help and we'll listen.
• Teamwork got us where we are today. Our collaborative environment allows you to maximize your true potential.
• The work we do is exciting, critical stuff. No matter your role at Independent Software, you're helping us keep the nation safe and secure.
• We have a history of great achievement, and, with each year, our company gets even bigger and better. As we grow, so does the opportunity for our employees.
• We host a variety of fun employee and family events throughout the year to say thanks for all that you do to make Independent Software a technology leader as well as a phenomenal place to work.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• Company Sponsored Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans
• Company Paid Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Your retirement plan is an important benefit you shouldn’t overlook. We offer a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust that offers a powerful way to enhance your long-term financial well-being by investing in yourself. We offer immediate eligibility and company matching.
• A generous Paid Time Off and Holiday package
• Paid training! We encourage all employees to seek out training opportunities like conferences, certification courses and seminars.
• We truly believe the right work-life balance can exist, and it's here at Independent Software. Our work is extremely important, but your job is just a part of who you are. When you enjoy your life outside of our walls, you're at your best the next time you walk through our doors. We do all we can to assure that happens every day.

Independent Software is an Equal Opportunity Employer EOE, M/F/D/V.

System Engineer, Level 3 Fort Meade, MD Full Time Systems Engineering Experienced Share What You Will Do:

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyze user requirements, concepts of operations, and high-level system architectures to develop system requirements specifications
• Lead system design and development activities, ensuring alignment with approved architectures and operational needs
• Guide users in formulating requirements, evaluating alternatives, and conducting feasibility studies
• Manage system and derived requirements to ensure delivery of production systems compatible with defined architectures such as DoDAF and SOA
• Develop and maintain system architecture and system design documentation
• Contribute to and review systems engineering documentation, including Systems Engineering Plans, Requirements Specifications, Interface Control Documents, and Initial Capability Documents
• Support system development and implementation planning, including system integration and test plans
• Coordinate and resolve action items from Configuration Control Boards, design reviews, program reviews, and test reviews
• Participate in Integrated Product Teams to design and evaluate new system capabilities
• Generate alternative system concepts, architectures, and design solutions
• Allocate real-time process budgets and error budgets to systems and subsystems
• Define verification methods, processes, and evaluation criteria to ensure systems meet requirements
• Ensure effective configuration management of hardware, software, and documentation throughout the system lifecycle
• Serve as a member of Configuration Control Boards
• Conduct system trade studies and analyses of alternatives, considering life-cycle cost, risk, performance, and scalability
• Develop risk mitigation strategies, alternative courses of action, and fallback plans; monitor risks using earned value management data
• Provide technical direction for requirements elicitation, functional allocation, integration, testing, and end-to-end system flow analysis
• Fully define and manage system interfaces, including software, electrical, and mechanical characteristics
• Develop operational, system, services, and technical standards views using applicable DoDAF standards
• Apply validated models, simulations, and prototypes to reduce risk and cost
• Communicate effectively with program personnel, government oversight org

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Strong experience leading systems engineering efforts for complex hardware and software systems
• Expertise in requirements analysis, functional decomposition, and requirements traceability
• Experience developing system architectures aligned to DoDAF and service-oriented architectures
• Experience with system integration, verification, validation, and test planning
• Strong background in configuration management and change control processes
• Experience conducting trade studies, risk assessments, and lifecycle analyses
• Knowledge of Information Assurance principles, including confidentiality, integrity, availability, and non-repudiation
• Experience defining and managing system interfaces across multiple engineering disciplines
• Familiarity with modeling, simulation, and prototyping to support system design decisions
• Strong documentation, briefing, and communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or a related discipline from an accredited college or university
• Five (5) additional years of Systems Engineering experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of twenty (20) years of experience as a System Engineer supporting programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity
• Demonstrated experience planning and leading Systems Engineering efforts across the full system lifecycle
• Additional experience with system architectures, integration planning, and secure system environments is required

Clearance Requirement

• Must possess an active TS/SCI with appropriate Polygraph to be considered for this role

When You Join Us, You Will

• Support critical national security missions that matter
• Be part of a close-knit, employee-first culture where your voice is heard
• Expand your skills through ongoing training, mentorship, and career development
• Enjoy competitive compensation, generous benefits, and work-life balance