Systems Engineer - Electronic Security Systems

Chenega Security International; Falls Church (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Chenega Security International is seeking a Systems Engineer for the Pentagon PFPA program to lead end-to-end ESS engineering, integration, and modernization of enterprise security infrastructure in Falls Church, VA.

You will collaborate with cybersecurity, network, operations, and stakeholders to ensure availability, interoperability, and scalability of IP-based video, access control, IDS, and PSIM systems across mission-critical environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field with extensive security systems experience.
• Master's degree preferred with strong background in enterprise ESS lifecycles and DoD environments.
• 15+ years designing and integrating large-scale electronic security systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering authority for VSS and ESS across planning, integration, and modernization.
• Provide full lifecycle systems engineering including requirements, architecture, and testing.
• Develop strategies to improve reliability, cybersecurity resilience, and interoperability.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and modernization opportunities for ESS.
• Guide feasibility studies and engineering analyses for upgrades and new deployments.
• Monitor performance and drive data-driven improvements for mission readiness.
• Diagnose complex issues across hardware, software, networking, and cybersecurity.
• Prepare engineering documents, plans, and technical briefs for leadership.

Skills

Systems engineering

Cybersecurity fundamentals

Project management

Technical writing

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in related field

Tools

BVMS certification

AMAG Symmetry certification

CCURE 9000 certification

PMP

SEP

CSEP

Job description

Overview

The Systems Engineer, Electronic Security Systems (ESS) serves as the senior technical authority responsible for the engineering, integration, sustainment, modernization, and continuous improvement of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency's (PFPA) enterprise electronic security infrastructure. This position provides end-to-end systems engineering leadership across a complex portfolio of physical security technologies supporting the protection of one of the nation's most critical facilities.

The Systems Engineer is responsible for the full lifecycle management of enterprise security solutions, including IP-based Video Surveillance Systems (VSS), Access Control Systems (ACS), Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Identity Management platforms, and Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) systems. Working closely with cybersecurity, network, operations, and security stakeholders, this role ensures the availability, reliability, interoperability, and scalability of mission-critical security technologies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead engineering authority for enterprise Video Surveillance Systems (VSS) and associated Electronic Security Systems (ESS), providing technical leadership across system planning, integration, sustainment, and modernization efforts.
• Provide full lifecycle systems engineering support, including requirements analysis, architecture development, design reviews, system integration, testing and validation, performance optimization, sustainment planning, and technology refresh initiatives.
• Develop and implement engineering strategies that enhance system reliability, operational effectiveness, cybersecurity resilience, interoperability, and long-term maintainability of mission-critical security infrastructure.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, industry trends, and evolving security requirements to identify opportunities for innovation and support future-state ESS capabilities and strategic modernization objectives.
• Lead technical assessments, feasibility studies, and engineering analyses to develop implementation strategies for system enhancements, infrastructure upgrades, and new technology deployments.
• Monitor, assess, and continuously improve the performance, availability, and effectiveness of enterprise video surveillance and electronic security systems to ensure mission readiness and operational continuity.
• Analyze system health metrics, performance data, service-level trends, incident reports, and failure patterns to identify risks, drive continuous improvement efforts, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Provide technical leadership for the diagnosis and resolution of complex system issues involving hardware, software, networking, cybersecurity, databases, and multi-platform system integrations.
• Review and evaluate technical changes, configuration baselines, software releases, and system modifications to ensure compliance with operational requirements, security standards, and enterprise architecture objectives.
• Coordinate and oversee scheduled maintenance activities, emergency repairs, and technology refresh efforts to maximize system availability and minimize operational disruptions.
• Plan, manage, and execute ESS engineering, sustainment, and modernization projects from concept development through implementation, transition, and operational acceptance.
• Develop project plans, schedules, technical documentation, resource requirements, cost estimates, and risk mitigation strategies to support successful project delivery.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously refine program management and engineering artifacts, including technical roadmaps, lifecycle management plans, configuration documentation, strategic modernization plans, and systems engineering documentation.
• Collaborate with government stakeholders, operational users, cybersecurity personnel, network engineers, and vendor partners to ensure successful integration and support of enterprise security technologies.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, Security Engineering, or a related technical discipline and a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience supporting enterprise electronic security systems; OR
• Master's degree in a related technical discipline and a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience supporting enterprise electronic security systems; OR
• Fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience designing, integrating, supporting, and managing large-scale electronic security systems in lieu of a degree.
• Demonstrated experience supporting enterprise-class physical security technologies, including IP-based Video Surveillance Systems (VSS), Access Control Systems (ACS), Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Identity Management Systems, Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) platforms, or comparable technologies.
• Experience applying systems engineering principles across the system lifecycle, including requirements analysis, architecture development, integration, testing, deployment, sustainment, and modernization.
• Proven ability to analyze complex technical issues, evaluate system performance, identify root causes, and develop effective engineering solutions in mission-critical environments.
• Experience supporting highly integrated systems that incorporate hardware, software, networking, cybersecurity, databases, and third-party applications.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects, coordinate cross-functional efforts, and provide engineering guidance to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical documentation, engineering analyses, project plans, and executive-level briefings.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment, evaluate technical risks, and develop sound recommendations supporting operational and strategic objectives.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, government stakeholders, vendors, contractors, and operational users.
• Active Secret clearance.
• Successfully pass background and drug screening

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bosch Video Management System (BVMS) certification.
• AMAG Symmetry certification.
• Software House C•CURE 9000 certification.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), Federal Government, intelligence community, or critical infrastructure protection environments.
• Experience with enterprise security architectures, physical security ecosystems, and large-scale systems integration initiatives.
• Experience supporting cybersecurity requirements and security controls related to electronic security systems.
• Experience with network infrastructure, virtualization, server administration, storage solutions, and enterprise application environments supporting security technologies.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Systems Engineering Professional (SEP), Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), or comparable industry-recognized certification.
• Familiarity with DoD physical security standards, risk management frameworks, and federal security regulations.
• Experience leading technology modernization, system migration, and digital transformation initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of enterprise electronic security systems, including video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, identity management, and PSIM platforms.
• Knowledge of systems engineering methodologies, lifecycle management practices, and systems integration principles.
• Knowledge of enterprise networking concepts, cybersecurity fundamentals, and secure system architectures.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies, risk management processes, and change management practices.
• Knowledge of federal, DoD, and industry standards governing physical and electronic security systems.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• Ability to evaluate system performance data and translate findings into actionable engineering improvements.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills, including preparation of engineering studies, requirements documents, technical reports, and implementation plans.
• Effective project planning, scheduling, coordination, and execution skills.
• Strong presentation and briefing skills with the ability to communicate technical information to executive leadership and operational stakeholders.

Estimated Salary/Wage USD $120,000.00/Yr.