Systems Engineering, Senior Advisor

Peraton; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking an expert-level systems engineer to provide strategic program management and SETA support for multiple AI/ML and data analytics initiatives within a mission-critical intelligence environment. You will interface with senior government stakeholders, coordinate cross-functional teams and vendors, and guide acquisition activities from concept to deployment.

The role requires dynamic leadership, strong communication, and a proven ability to manage complex projects across divisions

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI with poly clearance.
• Experience interfacing with senior government leadership and influencing decisions.
• Experience with cross-functional teams, project managers, and end users.
• Knowledge of government contracting and acquisition processes (FAR, OTA, COTR).
• Ability to provide technical guidance to COTRs.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and sprint-based development.
• Understanding of SDLC and system development lifecycles.
• Experience managing full project lifecycles from concept to deployment.
• Experience documenting workflows and CONOPS.
• Requirements gathering, analysis, and prioritization.
• Experience identifying risks and mitigations.
• Experience with AI/ML platforms and data analytics.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and visualize data for decisions.
• Experience capturing UI/UX requirements for products.
• Experience working with large language models (LLMs).
• Excellent written and verbal communication for technical and executive audiences.
• Strong facilitation and coordination across cross-functional teams.
• Experience producing technical docs, presentations, A&A artifacts, and leadership briefings.

Responsibilities

• Establish scope, metrics, roadmaps, and deliverables for AI/ML and data analytics projects.
• Prioritize requirements with program teams using Agile methodologies.
• Identify risks and develop/monitor mitigations.
• Provide technical support and guidance to COTRs on contract performance and technical matters.
• Monitor and respond to action items and weekly highlights.
• Support division leadership with high-level awareness of AI/ML projects.
• Mentor junior staff and interns.
• Document workflows, processes, and requirements.
• Produce leadership briefs, strategic plans, CONOPS, and risk matrices.
• Maintain knowledge repositories (Confluence, Hive) and distribution lists.
• Coordinate TEMs with government stakeholders, development teams, and vendors.
• Serve as liaison between division and department front office.
• Coordinate vendor activities across multiple contracts and remove blockers.
• Facilitate demonstrations, trainings, and outreach activities.
• Coordinate weekly division meetings with action tracking.
• Test and evaluate AI/ML platforms and capabilities to assess readiness.
• Analyze data and create user feedback mechanisms to inform priorities.

Skills

Agile methodologies

Systems engineering

Project management

Leadership

Executive communication

COTR guidance

Data analytics

LLMs familiarity

Cloud computing

Education

BS/BA in STEM

MS/MA in STEM

PhD

Experience substituting 4 years for degree

Tools

Confluence

Hive

MS Outlook

PowerPoint

Word

Excel

SharePoint

Docker

Kubernetes

Git

Job description

Required Qualifications

Education and Clearance

• Active TS/SCI with poly clearance
• Minimum of 12 years of experience with BS/BA, 10 years with MS/MA, or 7 years with PhD
• Four additional years of relevant experience may be substituted for degree

Leadership and Government Engagement

• Proven ability to interface with senior government leadership and influence critical program decisions
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including technical teams, project managers, and end users
• Knowledge of government contracting and acquisition processes, including FAR, OTA, and COTR roles
• Ability to provide technical support and guidance to COTRs

Systems Engineering and Project Management

• Strong experience with Agile methodologies and sprint-based development
• Understanding of software and system development lifecycles
• Experience managing full project lifecycles from concept through deployment
• Experience documenting workflows, processes, and CONOPS
• Knowledge of requirements gathering, analysis, and prioritization methods
• Experience identifying project risks and developing/monitoring mitigations

AI/ML and Data Analytics

• Experience with AI/ML technologies and model integration into systems
• Familiarity with machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn)
• Understanding of deep learning concepts and architectures
• Experience evaluating or testing developing AI/ML platforms
• Ability to collect, analyze, and visualize data to support decision-making
• Experience capturing UI/UX requirements to inform product development
• Experience working with large language models (LLMs)

Communication and Coordination

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with ability to tailor messaging to technical and executive audiences
• Strong facilitation and coordination skills across cross-functional teams
• Experience producing technical documentation, presentations, A&A artifacts, and leadership briefings

Tools and Technical Skills

• Self-starter with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with collaboration and knowledge management platforms (Confluence, Hive)
• Proficiency with MS Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and SharePoint
• Strong organizational skills managing multiple concurrent priorities in a fast-paced environment

Desired Qualifications

Technical Knowledge

• Background in cloud computing (AWS preferred; Google Cloud beneficial)
• Understanding of containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Knowledge of DevOps/DevSecOps practices, including CI/CD and version control (Git)
• Familiarity with enterprise data architectures, data analytics platforms, and ETL processes
• Understanding of distributed computing frameworks and NoSQL databases (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra)

Mission and SETA Experience

• Experience providing SETA support to software development efforts
• Familiarity with intelligence analysis workflows and targeting tools
• Experience coordinating multiple concurrent vendor contracts

Leadership and Professional Development

• Experience mentoring interns or junior staff
• Certifications such as PMP, Scrum Master, or Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)

We're seeking an expert-level systems engineer to provide strategic program management and SETA support for multiple AI/ML and data analytics initiatives within a mission-critical intelligence environment. This role requires a dynamic leader who can interface with senior government stakeholders, coordinate cross-functional teams and vendors, drive complex projects from concept through deployment, and provide technical guidance on government contracting and acquisition activities.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

Project Management and Technical Leadership

• Establish scope, metrics, roadmaps, and deliverables for AI/ML and data analytics projects
• Prioritize requirements with program teams using Agile methodologies
• Identify risks and develop/monitor mitigations
• Provide technical support and guidance to COTRs on contract performance and technical matters
• Monitor and respond to action items, process access requests, and coordinate preparation of weekly highlights
• Support division leadership by maintaining high-level awareness of all AI/ML projects across the division
• Mentor junior staff and interns

Systems Engineering, Documentation, and Knowledge Management

• Document workflows, processes, and requirements
• Produce a wide range of documentation including senior leadership briefings, strategic plans, CONOPS, risk matrices, etc.
• Maintain knowledge repositories (Confluence, Hive) and distribution lists

Stakeholder Engagement and Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate and facilitate TEMs with government stakeholders, development teams, and vendors
• Serve as liaison between division and department front office team
• Coordinate vendor activities across multiple contracts, removing blockers and ensuring alignment
• Facilitate demonstrations, training sessions, and outreach activities
• Coordinate weekly division meetings with comprehensive action tracking and follow-up

Technical Evaluation and Analysis

• Test and evaluate developing AI/ML platforms and capabilities to assess functionality and readiness
• Analyze data and create user feedback mechanisms to inform development priorities and decision-making