Timing & Synchronization Systems Engineer

Arcfield; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 254,000; Full time

Job summary

Arcfield is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to provide Systems Engineering Technical Advisor (SETA) support for precision timing and synchronization within complex, mission-critical ground systems.

The role involves evaluating timing technologies, guiding integration, and delivering independent, technically sound recommendations to Government stakeholders. A TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required, along with substantial systems engineering experience in mission-critical environments.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Must possess and maintain a TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• Systems engineering experience supporting complex ground systems or integrated architectures.
• Technical knowledge of precision timing, synchronization, and time distribution technologies.
• Familiarity with timing protocols such as PTP/IEEE 1588, NTP, GNSS, or Synchronous Ethernet.

Responsibilities

• Provide systems engineering and technical advisory support for precision timing, synchronization, and time distribution within mission systems.
• Develop and evaluate technical requirements for timing accuracy, synchronization, reliability, and interoperability.
• Assess timing architectures, technologies, interfaces, and proposed solutions for mission requirements.
• Evaluate alternatives, integration approaches, system dependencies, and impacts to existing architectures.
• Support design reviews, integration planning, verification/validation, testing, and deployment of timing capabilities.
• Coordinate with Government stakeholders, developers, vendors, and technical teams to resolve integration challenges.
• Develop assessments, trade studies, and briefings to inform Government engineering decisions.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

Precision timing

Timing synchronization

Timing protocols

System architectures

Education

BS

MS

PhD

Job description

Responsibilities

Arcfield is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to provide Systems Engineering Technical Advisor (SETA) support for precision timing and synchronization capabilities within complex, mission-critical ground systems.

In this role, you will work with Government stakeholders, developers, and industry partners to evaluate timing technologies, assess system architectures, and guide the integration of timing solutions into existing and emerging mission capabilities. The ideal candidate brings technical knowledge of precision timing and synchronization technologies, with the ability to evaluate implementation approaches and provide independent, technically sound recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide systems engineering and technical advisory support for precision timing, synchronization, and time distribution capabilities within mission systems.
• Develop and evaluate technical requirements for timing accuracy, synchronization, reliability, resiliency, and interoperability.
• Assess timing architectures, technologies, interfaces, and proposed solutions to determine suitability for mission requirements.
• Evaluate technical alternatives, integration approaches, system dependencies, and potential impacts to existing mission architectures.
• Support design reviews, integration planning, verification and validation, testing, and deployment of timing and synchronization capabilities.
• Coordinate with Government stakeholders, system developers, vendors, and technical teams to identify risks, resolve integration challenges, and support implementation decisions.
• Develop technical assessments, trade studies, recommendations, and briefings to inform Government engineering and acquisition decisions.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BS 12-15, MS 10-13, PhD 10+
• Must possess and be able to maintain a TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• Systems engineering experience supporting complex ground systems, mission capabilities, or integrated technical architectures.
• Technical knowledge of precision timing, network synchronization, time distribution, or related technologies.
• Familiarity with timing protocols and technologies such as PTP/IEEE 1588, NTP, GNSS, or Synchronous Ethernet.
• Experience developing technical requirements, evaluating system architectures, and assessing integration approaches and implementation alternatives.
• Ability to analyze complex technical issues and communicate recommendations effectively to Government and engineering stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience evaluating precision timing architectures, network time servers, grandmaster clocks, synchronization management systems, or related timing technologies.
• Knowledge of synchronization performance, timing distribution, redundancy, holdover, and resiliency within distributed systems.
• Experience supporting integration or modernization of timing solutions within Intelligence Community or DoD ground systems.
• Familiarity with vendor technical evaluations, trade studies, and Government acquisition processes.
• Experience supporting system integration, verification and validation, and deployment of complex mission capabilities.

Equal Pay Act

This is the projected compensation range for this position. There are differentiating factors that can impact a final salary/hourly rate, including, but not limited to, Contract Wage Determination, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location (For Remote Opportunities), education and certifications as well as Federal Government Contract Labor categories. In addition, Arcfield invests in its employees beyond just compensation. Arcfield ’s benefits offerings include, dependent upon position, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Retirement and Savings, Learning and Development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections.Min: $146,322.15Max: $254,425.83

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and federal government contractor. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment as protected by law.