Systems Engineer

Actalent; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent seeks an experienced Systems Engineer to support development and implementation of advanced communications and technology solutions for government and defense programs. You will work across the full lifecycle, translating mission needs into scalable system solutions, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure technical alignment and successful program execution.

The role requires 5+ years of systems engineering experience, MBSE proficiency, and familiarity with requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of systems engineering experience within aerospace, defense, telecommunications, space, or other complex technical environments.
• Experience supporting government, defense, space, or mission-critical programs.
• Experience with MBSE and system modeling tools.
• Experience with requirements management, system modeling, and verification tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS, or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Support the development and maintenance of system-level technical budgets, including power, data, performance, and other engineering metrics.
• Define, analyze, document, and maintain system and subsystem requirements with full traceability.
• Support requirements allocation, verification planning, and validation activities throughout the program lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain systems engineering artifacts, including Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), interface documentation, verification plans, and traceability matrices.
• Conduct trade studies, system analyses, and risk assessments to support architecture and design decisions.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, communications, and subsystem engineering teams to ensure technical alignment and integration.
• Support system-level design reviews and technical presentations, including preparation of supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with technical leads and stakeholders to collect, analyze, and consolidate engineering data.
• Support vendor requirements definition, technical evaluations, and qualification activities.
• Interface with customers, program leadership, and external partners to support technical planning and program execution.
• Contribute to proposal development, technical documentation, and solution planning activities for new business opportunities.
• Support capability development, architecture definition, system integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment activities.
• Provide systems engineering support across all phases of development and operational readiness activities.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

MBSE

System modeling

Trade studies

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in systems engineering or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Jama

DOORS

Job description

Systems Engineer

Description

We are seeking a Systems Engineer to support the development and implementation of advanced communications and technology solutions for government and defense-related programs. In this role, you will support systems engineering activities across the full program lifecycle, including requirements development, system architecture, integration, verification, validation, and technical planning. You will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to translate complex mission needs into scalable system solutions while supporting business growth and strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and maintenance of system-level technical budgets, including power, data, performance, and other engineering metrics.
• Define, analyze, document, and maintain system and subsystem requirements with full traceability.
• Support requirements allocation, verification planning, and validation activities throughout the program lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain systems engineering artifacts, including Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), interface documentation, verification plans, and traceability matrices.
• Conduct trade studies, system analyses, and risk assessments to support architecture and design decisions.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, communications, and subsystem engineering teams to ensure technical alignment and integration.
• Support system-level design reviews and technical presentations, including preparation of supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with technical leads and stakeholders to collect, analyze, and consolidate engineering data.
• Support vendor requirements definition, technical evaluations, and qualification activities.
• Interface with customers, program leadership, and external partners to support technical planning and program execution.
• Contribute to proposal development, technical documentation, and solution planning activities for new business opportunities.
• Support capability development, architecture definition, system integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment activities.
• Provide systems engineering support across all phases of development and operational readiness activities.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of systems engineering experience within aerospace, defense, telecommunications, space, or other complex technical environments.
• Experience supporting government, defense, space, or mission-critical programs.
• Experience with systems engineering methodologies, requirements management, and system modeling practices.
• Experience supporting system integration, verification, and validation activities.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with communications, RF, wireless, satellite, or space-based systems.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools.
• Experience with requirements management, system modeling, and verification tools (e.g., Jama, DOORS, or equivalent).
• Experience performing system trade studies, performance analysis, and technical risk assessments.
• Knowledge of RF performance analysis, communications systems, or network architectures.
• Experience supporting command and control, intelligence, surveillance, communications, or other mission-focused applications.
• Experience supporting proposal development and technical solution planning.
• Prior experience supporting government, defense, aerospace, or commercial space programs.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

The office is based in Lanham, MD but is moving to Arlington, VA at the end of the year.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Arlington, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $150000.00 - $200000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

AST offers benefits as it is a direct role

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Arlington,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 2, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.