Systems Engineer

Actalent; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 140 hours first year

8 paid holidays + 3 floating holidays

401k match

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness program

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Systems Engineer Advanced Radar and Mission Systems to develop and deliver high-performance radar capabilities for Navy applications. You will guide the full systems engineering lifecycle, from concept through verification, working with multidisciplinary teams in a hybrid on-site/remote setup in Chantilly, VA.

The role requires 3+ years in systems engineering, scripting in Python or MATLAB, and a BS in a related field.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of systems engineering experience or equivalent.
• Concepts: CONOPS development, requirements derivation and validation, system design, performance analysis.
• Scripting in Python or MATLAB for data analysis or tool development.
• Experience with Linux/UNIX environments and engineering task automation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with clear technical communication.
• BS degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• Eligibility to obtain a Secret level US Government Security Clearance.
• Willingness to travel about 10–25%.

Responsibilities

• Translate customer needs into system requirements and maintain traceability across the lifecycle.
• Develop, derive, and validate system and subsystem requirements from concept to deployment.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and other engineering disciplines through design, integration, verification, and testing.
• Evaluate technical approaches and trade-offs with the Project Engineer to balance performance, cost, and schedule.
• Analyze system performance data to identify issues and guide design improvements.
• Support integration, verification, and test activities for complex hardware/software systems, including test planning and execution.
• Develop and optimize radar system performance using DSP hardware and software algorithms.
• Contribute to MBSE and modeling activities for future Navy capabilities.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements development

System design

Performance analysis

Integration and test

Python scripting

Linux/UNIX

Technical communication

Travel willingness

Security clearance eligibility

Education

BS in Systems Engineering or related

Tools

C++

MBSE tools

Job description

Job Title: Systems Engineer Advanced Radar and Mission Systems

Job Description

This Systems Engineer role focuses on developing advanced radar and mission systems for Navy applications, turning complex customer and mission needs into robust, real-world technical solutions. You will work across the full systems engineering lifecycle from concept and requirements through design, integration, verification, and test collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-performance radar capabilities in demanding operational environments.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of advanced radar and mission systems for Navy applications, ensuring solutions meet operational and performance objectives.
• Translate customer and mission needs into clear system requirements, designs, and technical solutions, and maintain traceability throughout the system lifecycle.
• Develop, derive, validate, and analyze system and subsystem requirements from initial concept through deployment.
• Collaborate closely with hardware, software, and other engineering disciplines from early concept and requirements definition through system design, integration, verification, and test.
• Evaluate technical approaches and system-level trade-offs in partnership with the Project Engineer, balancing performance, risk, cost, schedule, and technical feasibility.
• Analyze system performance and engineering data to understand system behavior, identify issues, and inform technical decisions and design improvements.
• Support integration, verification, and test activities for complex hardware and software systems, including test planning, test procedure development, and execution.
• Work with advanced digital signal processing hardware and software algorithms to support and optimize radar system performance.
• Contribute to the evaluation and development of new technologies and architectures that will enable future Navy capabilities.
• Support proposals, internal research and development (IR&D), and other strategic technology development initiatives by providing technical input and analysis.
• Develop and use scripts and technical tools in Linux/UNIX environments to automate tasks, analyze data, and support engineering workflows.
• Communicate technical concepts, findings, and recommendations clearly to multidisciplinary engineering teams and stakeholders.

Essential Skills

• 3+ years of relevant systems engineering experience; opportunities are available for professionals with 3+ years, 612 years, and 12+ years of experience.
• Experience in one or more systems engineering disciplines, such as concept of operations (CONOPS) development, requirements development, derivation and validation, system design, performance analysis, integration and test, or test plan and procedure development.
• Basic scripting experience with Python or MATLAB for data analysis, modeling, or tool development.
• Hands-on experience working in Linux/UNIX environments and using scripts or other technical tools to support engineering tasks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex technical data and system behavior.
• Effective technical communication skills, including the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• BS degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited institution, or equivalent years of relevant experience.
• Eligibility to obtain a Secret level US Government Security Clearance.
• Willingness to travel approximately 1025%, with flexibility tailored to individual circumstances.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience developing models, simulations, or data analysis tools using Python or MATLAB.
• Experience integrating and testing complex hardware/software systems, including automated testing or unit testing.
• Knowledge of radar systems, RF, digital signal processing, or algorithms supporting detection, tracking, navigation, or discrimination.
• Experience with C++ for developing or supporting engineering tools or system components.
• Familiarity with Navy platforms or common Navy interfaces and standards.
• Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and techniques.
• Experience in radar or signal processing and model-based systems engineering as part of prior roles is highly beneficial.

Work Environment

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining on-site collaboration with remote flexibility. The primary office is currently located in Chantilly, Virginia, with a planned move to the Fairlakes area in Fairfax, Virginia. The team operates on a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off to support work-life balance. While there is a preference for team members to work on site regularly to facilitate collaboration on complex radar and mission systems, daily on-site presence is not strictly required and can be tailored to individual and project needs. You will work in a modern engineering environment that leverages Linux/UNIX systems, digital signal processing technologies, and advanced modeling and analysis tools, alongside a multidisciplinary team focused on delivering innovative capabilities for demanding operational missions.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $115000.00 - $190000.00/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.

• Work/life balance that includes up to 140 hours PTO for first year
• 8 Paid Holidays, with 3 floating holidays
• 401k Plan with Company Match
• Educational Assistance Program (Tuition Reimbursement)
• Wellness Program and incentives
• Company HSA contributions
• Insurance Benefits that start 1st of the month following hire
• Eligibility in Company Performance-based bonuses annually
• Additional Employee Discounts and Perks
• Company-Paid Benefits: $75 monthly student loan repayment program
• Basic Life Insurance
• Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Chantilly, VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 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.