Systems Test Engineer, SME - Telecom

Peraton; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 135,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton in Bethesda, MD, is seeking a Senior Systems Test Engineer to ensure the reliability and performance of air traffic control systems. You will develop test plans, manage SLAs, and work with cutting-edge networking technologies.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree and at least 12 years of experience in systems testing. Join a team that impacts millions of passengers and shapes the future of U.S. airspace.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must be able to obtain/maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• 12+ years of hands-on experience in systems testing, deployment, and integration.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute test plans for next-generation air traffic control systems.
• Oversee service delivery and operations for network systems.
• Handle escalations for service issues and coordinate with teams.

Skills

Service delivery

Network operations

Systems testing

Vendor management

Cloud/network technologies

Education

Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or IT

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

SD-WAN

Firewalls

Job description

Responsibilities

Shape the Future of U.S. Airspace – Systems Test Engineer, SME

Location: Bethesda, MD

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS) program. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton delivers the systems and services that keep our nation’s skies safe, connected, and ready for the future.

We’re seeking innovative, mission-driven professionals who thrive in high-impact environments and want to make a tangible difference in one of the world’s most critical transportation infrastructures. At Peraton, you won’t just support the mission—you’ll define it.

What You’ll Do:

As a Senior Systems Test & Network Operations Engineer on our Telecom team, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and operational readiness of next-generation air traffic control systems. You’ll be responsible for:

• Developing and executing test plans across hardware, software, and integrated systems to validate performance and ensure safety and compliance.

• Overseeing service delivery and operations for voice, data, and network systems, including provisioning, installation, and activation.

• Managing SLAs and KPIs, ensuring systems meet or exceed performance expectations.

• Handling escalations for service issues, coordinating with internal teams to resolve outages or performance problems quickly.

• Coordinating with vendors and external carriers to support system installation, maintenance, and ongoing operational readiness.

• Working with cutting-edge networking technologies, including routing and switching (BGP, OSPF), TDM to MPLS migration, SDN, network security (firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS), and cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP).

• Collaborating with cross-functional teams in aviation, engineering, data science, and systems integration.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

• Contribute to high-visibility federal aviation programs that impact millions of passengers every day.
• Gain hands‑on experience in federal contracting, next-gen air traffic systems, and network operations management.
• Join a team of leaders and innovators shaping the future of U.S. airspace.
• Thrive in a mission‑critical environment where your work truly matters.

Who You Are:

• Passionate about technology, aviation, and mission-driven work.
• Experienced in service delivery, network operations, and vendor management.
• Skilled in systems testing, SLA management, escalation resolution, and cloud/network technologies.
• Ready to tackle complex, high‑stakes systems challenges in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.

Peraton isn’t just a workplace—it’s a place to grow, innovate, and shape the future of aviation.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Clearance: Must be able to obtain/maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• Educational: Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or IT (or additional 4 years of experience).
• Professional Experience: 12+ years of hands‑on experience in systems testing, deployment, integration, and managing complex enterprise or large‑scale integration projects.
• Framework Expertise: Strong knowledge of the ITIL 4 framework, with the ability to drive incident, change, and problem management lifecycles efficiently across technical teams.
• Network & Infrastructure Know‑How: Solid, practical experience with LAN/WAN, SD‑WAN, data center architectures, and cloud‑hybrid environments (AWS, Azure, GCP). You understand how to bridge traditional and modern networks for optimal performance.
• SLA & Performance Management: Demonstrated expertise in defining, monitoring, and exceeding Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including uptime, latency, and service reliability metrics.
• Vendor & Partner Coordination: Proven ability to manage third‑party managed service providers (MSPs) and carriers, ensuring contractual compliance and smooth collaboration to meet operational objectives.

Target Salary Range

$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.