Systems Engineer III - AI Experience with Security Clearance

Black Eagle Defense; Fort Meade (MD); On-site; USD 143,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Black Eagle Defense seeks a Systems Engineer III to lead senior-level systems engineering across the full lifecycle, applying AI/ML capabilities to complex DoD/IC programs. The role emphasizes requirements, architecture, integration, and technical leadership across multiple teams in a demanding defense environment.

You will develop and review documentation such as SE plans, requirements specs, ICDs, and test plans while ensuring traceability, risk management, and governance in line with DoDAF

Qualifications

• 20 years of Systems Engineer experience on programs of similar scope and complexity.
• Bachelor's degree or 25 years total experience with substitution option for degree.
• AI/ML experience in design, development, integration, evaluation, or deployment within complex systems.
• Lifecycle experience across requirements, architecture, design, integration, testing, deployment, operations, and sustainment.
• Strong documentation, communication, and stakeholder coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead system design and feasibility studies.
• Provide technical leadership for AI-enabled capabilities integration across systems.
• Manage requirements to ensure production systems align with defined architectures (DoDAF/SOA).
• Develop and review SE documents: SE plans, requirements specs, ICDs, architecture, test plans.
• Coordinate system integration across teams and resolve cross-discipline issues.
• Communicate risks, issues, and recommendations to Government stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Ensure technical integrity and quality of SE work products.

Skills

AI/ML expertise

Lifecycle management

Communication

Stakeholder coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management (or related)

Tools

DoDAF

SOA

Model-Based Systems Engineering

Requirements management

System architecture tools

Job description

Job Description

SALARY RANGE $143,000 - $200,000/year

As a successful candidate for the Systems Engineer III role, you will provide senior-level systems engineering leadership across the entire system lifecycle. In this capacity, you must utilize your demonstrated experience to support and advance artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies, capabilities, and solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead system design and development activities and guide users in formulating requirements, evaluating alternative approaches, and conducting feasibility studies.
• Provide technical leadership for the integration of requirements, design, technology, and AI-enabled capabilities.
• Manage system and derived requirements to ensure production systems align with defined architectures, including DoDAF and service-oriented architecture.
• Develop and review systems engineering documentation, including Systems Engineering Plans, requirements specifications, Interface Control Documents, architecture documentation, and system integration and test plans.
• Provide technical direction for the development, engineering, interfacing, integration, and testing of complex hardware and software systems.
• Develop system architectures, concepts of operation, interface standards, technical assessments, and end-to-end flow analyses.
• Establish and maintain requirements traceability, configuration control, risk management, verification, and validation processes.
• Coordinate system integration activities across multiple teams and resolve technical issues requiring cross-discipline collaboration.
• Evaluate system design alternatives based on performance, lifecycle cost, reuse, complexity, risk, scalability, and mission needs.
• Communicate technical considerations, risks, issues, and recommendations to Government stakeholders, program personnel, and senior leadership.
• Ensure the technical integrity and quality of systems engineering work products and deliverables.
• Familiarity with AI/ML development lifecycles, model evaluation, data requirements, deployment considerations, or responsible AI practices.
• Experience supporting systems within the Department of Defense or Intelligence Community.
• Experience with DoDAF, service-oriented architecture, Model-Based Systems Engineering, requirements management, or system architecture tools.

Qualifications

Twenty (20) years of experience as a Systems Engineer on programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity, along with a 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) years of additional systems engineering experience (25 years total) may be substituted for the bachelor's degree. AI/ML Expertise: Demonstrated professional experience supporting the design, development, integration, evaluation, or deployment of artificial intelligence or machine learning capabilities within complex systems. Lifecycle & Core Competencies: Experience across the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements analysis, architecture, design, integration, testing, deployment, operations, and sustainment, alongside strong technical documentation, communication, and stakeholder coordination skills.

Desired Skills

• Desired Skills * Experience integrating AI/ML capabilities into mission systems or operational environments.
• Familiarity with AI/ML development lifecycles, model evaluation, data requirements, deployment considerations, or responsible AI practices.
• Experience supporting systems within the Department of Defense or Intelligence Community.
• Experience with DoDAF, service-oriented architecture, Model-Based Systems Engineering, requirements management, or system architecture tools.