Systems Engineer

QinetiQ; Fort Belvoir (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Senior Systems Engineer to serve as a Test and Evaluation Lead supporting U.S. Army C5ISR Javelin Seeker efforts at Fort Belvoir.

The successful candidate will provide programmatic and technical oversight of contractor-executed verification, qualification, integration, and developmental test activities across the full acquisition life cycle, ensuring test planning, readiness, execution, and reporting align with requirements and program risk.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical, Mechanical, Optical, Aerospace Engineering, Physics or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of systems engineering, test & evaluation, integration & test, or qualification experience in defense programs.
• Experience with acquisition-level verification, qualification, developmental test, or system evaluation across full life cycle.
• Experience providing government/SETA/lead engineering oversight of contractor test activities.
• Experience developing, reviewing, or assessing test plans, procedures, and verification documentation for complex defense systems.
• Experience with requirements development, verification planning, and traceability for defense systems.
• Experience with missile seekers, EO/IR sensors, or other hardware-intensive sensor systems.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, and briefing skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with government, contractor, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Must have an Active DoD Secret or higher clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide systems engineering and programmatic oversight of contractor-executed test and evaluation activities for component qualification and milestones.
• Develop, review, and staff T&E strategies, test plans, verification approaches, and qualification documentation.
• Ensure traceability between requirements, verification methods, qualification events, and test results.
• Support T&E planning across the full acquisition life cycle including requirements, design maturation, integration, verification, and reviews.
• Lead or support Test and Evaluation Working Integrated Product Teams and Test Readiness Reviews.
• Review contractor test procedures, readiness artifacts, safety documents, data packages, and test reports for rigor and compliance.
• Coordinate with government organizations, labs, and contractor teams to support test planning and execution.
• Support independent technical assessment of test adequacy, qualification status, and program risk.
• Evaluate discrepancies, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and retest activities.
• Prepare technical briefings and leadership recommendations for decision-makers.
• Assess EO/IR subsystems and sensor performance through verification activities.

Skills

Clear communication

Analytical thinking

Technical writing

Briefings

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering or related

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Company Overview

We are a world-class team of professionals who deliver next generation technology and products in robotic and autonomous platforms, ground, soldier, and maritime systems in 50+ locations world-wide. Much of our work contributes to innovative research in the fields of sensor science, signal processing, data fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR).

QinetiQ US’s dedicated experts in defense, aerospace, security, and related fields all work together to explore new ways of protecting the American Warfighter, Security Forces, and Allies. Being a part of QinetiQ US means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend.

Why Join QinetiQ US?

If you have the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges, then you will experience a unique working environment where innovative teams blend different perspectives, disciplines, and technologies to discover new ways of solving complex problems. In our diverse and inclusive environment, you can be authentic, feel valued, be respected, and realize your full potential. QinetiQ US will support you with workplace flexibility, a commitment to the health and well-being of you and your family and provide opportunities to work with a purpose. We are committed to supporting your success in both your professional and personal lives.

Position Overview

QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Senior Systems Engineer to serve as a Test and Evaluation (T&E) Lead in support of the U.S. Army C5ISR Center Javelin Seeker effort. The successful candidate will provide programmatic and technical oversight of contractor-executed verification, qualification, integration, and developmental test activities across the full acquisition life cycle, ensuring that test planning, readiness, execution, and reporting are aligned with system requirements, program risk, and Army acquisition decision needs.

The candidate will serve as a technical advisor to government and industry stakeholders, supporting T&E strategy, review of contractor-developed test documentation, readiness assessments, evaluation of test results, and independent technical assessments of system progress and qualification status. This role is well suited for candidates with experience in acquisition-level test and qualification for complex defense systems, especially EO/IR systems, seekers, sensors, or other hardware-intensive integrated systems. Candidates may come from government, SETA, FFRDC, prime contractor, or major subsystem supplier backgrounds with experience in system verification, qualification, integration and test, and requirements traceability.

Responsibilities

• Provide systems engineering and programmatic oversight of contractor-executed test and evaluation activities in support of component qualification and acquisition decision milestones.
• Develop, review, update, and staff T&E strategies, test plans, verification approaches, and qualification documentation in alignment with system requirements and program objectives.
• Ensure traceability between system requirements, verification methods, qualification events, and test results.
• Support T&E planning across the full acquisition life cycle, including requirements development, design maturation, integration, verification, qualification, and formal program reviews.
• Lead or support Test and Evaluation Working Integrated Product Teams (T&E WIPTs), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), and other technical reviews.
• Review contractor-developed test procedures, readiness artifacts, safety documentation, data packages, and test reports for technical rigor, completeness, and contractual compliance.
• Coordinate with government organizations, test centers, laboratories, and contractor teams to support test planning, scheduling, resource alignment, and execution.
• Support independent technical assessment of test adequacy, qualification status, system performance, and program risk.
• Evaluate test discrepancies, root cause analyses, corrective action plans, and regression or retest activities.
• Prepare technical briefings, system assessment inputs, verification status updates, and leadership recommendations for government decision-makers.
• Support assessment of EO/IR subsystem and integrated sensor performance through functional, environmental, interface, and system-level verification activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of systems engineering, test and evaluation, integration and test, or qualification experience supporting defense acquisition programs.
• Demonstrated experience supporting acquisition-level verification, qualification, developmental test, or system evaluation activities across the full acquisition life cycle.
• Experience providing government, SETA, program office, or lead engineering oversight of contractor-performed test activities.
• Experience developing, reviewing, or assessing test plans, procedures, readiness documentation, verification documentation, and test reports for complex defense systems.
• Experience with requirements development, verification planning, requirements traceability, and technical review processes.
• Experience supporting the development, integration, qualification, or test and evaluation of missile systems, seekers, sensors, EO/IR payloads, or other complex hardware-intensive defense systems.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, and briefing skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with government, contractor, and cross-functional engineering stakeholders.
• Must have an Active DoD Secret or higher level clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting U.S. Army or DoD test and evaluation activities, including coordination with government test organizations, ranges, or laboratories such as ATEC, RTC, DEVCOM, or PEO Missiles and Space stakeholders.
• Experience with developmental test, qualification test, system verification, verification cross-reference matrices, and test readiness reviews.
• Experience with missile seekers, optical/IR sensors, guidance systems, hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) environments, or integrated sensor systems.
• Familiarity with MATLAB, Python, telemetry reduction tools, or other technical data analysis environments.
• Prior experience supporting Javelin, Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM), PEO Missiles and Space, or related missile or sensor programs.
• DAWIA Practitioner or equivalent certification in Test and Evaluation or Engineering, or PMP certification.

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this role is $140,000- $190,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. QinetiQ US considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Company EEO Statement

Accessibility/Accommodation:

If because of a medical condition or disability you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call [phone] Opt. 1 and let us know the nature of your request and contact information.

QinetiQ US is an Equal Opportunity employer. All Qualified Applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.