Systems Engineer IV

Kapsch TrafficCom AG; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kapsch TrafficCom US seeks a Lead Systems Engineer to own the technical solution end-to-end on tolling and roadside infrastructure projects, coordinating hardware, software, and networking across dispersed teams.

You will translate client needs into buildable designs, guide requirement analysis, and drive design decisions from bid through delivery and handoff, setting engineering standards and ensuring successful outcomes for high-visibility programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of professional experience with IT and networking focus.
• 5+ years implementing technical solutions in systems engineering.
• Experience and knowledge of requirements engineering.
• Ability to lead technical conversations with customers and cross-functional teams.
• Strong presentation skills and client relationship management.
• CCNA, CCNP, or other networking certification.
• Experience in tolling or traffic systems is a plus.
• Project management experience and ability to estimate time/effort.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical solution end-to-end from bid phase through delivery and handoff.
• Design and maintain the full solution architecture including networks, databases, and interfaces.
• Estimate labor and materials costs and review release.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for clients and lead cross-functional teams.
• Set technical direction and unblock the team when progress stalls.

Skills

IT networking

Systems engineering

Requirements engineering

Technical presentations

Client relationships

Leadership

Project management

Industry standards knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

CCNA/CCNP certification

Job description

Kapsch is one of Austria's most successful global technology companies. With itscomprehensive ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) portfolio, Kapsch is actively addressingthe challenges of the present and the future with intelligent mobility solutions in a wide rangeof application areas. As a family-owned company founded in 1892 and headquartered inVienna, Kapsch can look back on 130 years of experience with the future. To learn more aboutour solutions and innovations, visit our website here.Role PurposeAs Lead Systems Engineer, you'll hold the highest level of technical ownership on our Systems Engineering track joining a dispersed, cross-disciplinary team of hardware, software, and electrical engineers. You'll serve as the primary technical authority across the full project lifecycle, from bid phase through delivery and operational handoff, on high-visibility tolling and roadside infrastructure programs continuing to expand and evolve spanning networking, hardware, and data center work as the toll road doubles in capacity.This is a role for someone who wants to set the technical direction for a project, model strong engineering practices, and be the face to the client — owning requirements end-to-end, and stepping in to drive the technical path forward whenever the team hits a roadblock.How You'll Make an ImpactOwn the technical solution end-to-end — from bid-phase sales support, proposal review, and requirement gap analysis, through design decisions on any hardware or software changes, to delivery and operational handoff.Design and maintain the full solution architecture (systems, interfaces, protocols, databases, networking, and applications), keeping end-to-end awareness of where bottlenecks exist and where the design can be optimized.Own cost estimation for Systems Engineering labor and Project Material/BOM, including final review and release.Serve as the primary technical point of contact for clients — translating customer needs into buildable solutions, leading cross-functional teams, and owning requirements end-to-end.Build out the physical design layer — wiring diagrams, civil drawing interpretation, and cable/conduit layouts — partnering with highway designers to fit our technology into the physical infrastructure.Set the technical direction and standard for how the team delivers — stepping in to unblock the team and propose solutions when work stalls and pushing back constructively when needed.What Makes You a Great FitBachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.10+ years of professional experience, ideally with a strong IT and networking focus (e.g., an IT Architect background).5+ years implementing technical solutions, with a practical background in systems engineering (system architectures, interfaces and protocols, databases, frameworks).4+ years of experience and expertise across two or more of: electrical, mechanical, civil, structural, software, database, networking, or security engineering.CCNA, CCNP, or another networking certification (our networking environment runs on Cisco).Experience and knowledge of requirements engineering.Proven ability to lead technical conversations with customers, make sound technical decisions, and guide successful cross-functional collaboration.Ability to develop and deliver technical presentations while engaging with and managing client relationships.Curiosity, ownership, and a roll-up-your-sleeves mindset, balanced with strong team collaboration.Bonus QualificationsPrior leadership.Background in tolling or traffic systems.Project management skills, with knowledge of business economics.Experience estimating time and effort for system functionalities.Familiarity with relevant international standards.What We OfferThe opportunity to solve complex problems that improve the daily lives of people around the world.Career growth, stability, and the opportunity to develop within a global organization.A full benefits package, including unlimited paid time off, 11 paid holidays, 401(k), a no-cost medical insurance option for employees and eligible dependents, and an FSA option.Take the next step in your career with KapschWe believe hiring is a human decision. AI supports some of the operational side of our process (things like interview scheduling and coordination), but every step that matters is handled by a person. Your application will be read, your interviews will be conducted, and your offer will be made by humans who are genuinely invested in getting it right.Applicants must have working rights in the US and pass a background check.Kapsch is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact our TA team. Kapsch TrafficCom is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. Kapsch TrafficCom is a drug-free workplace.