Senior Systems Engineer

Innovative Defense Technologies•Arlington, VA

2d•$135,000 - $273,000•Onsite

About The Position

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to be part of our Advanced Capabilities team and based out of our Arlington, VA location. The Senior Systems Engineer is a highly technical engineer within a fast-paced, customer-focused experimentation and deployment team. This role requires deep experience designing, testing, integrating, deploying, and operating complex software and hardware systems in mission-critical environments. The Senior Systems Engineer will design, architect, and integrate complex DoD software systems, lead test execution efforts in the field, interface directly with senior warfighters and government sponsors, and drive resolution of complex integration and operational issues during test events. This role is hands-on and requires strong judgment, adaptability, and technical leadership in high-visibility environments. All applicants must currently possess an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance. This is an on-site position. Requiring at least 5 days in office, based out of our Arlington, VA location.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, other STEM field, or equivalent full-time professional experience
7+ years' relevant experience required
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time as needed
Strong technical background in system design, integration, and deployment, with expertise in Naval combat systems.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Proven leadership abilities, with experience leading and motivating teams to achieve project goals in fast-paced environments.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex technical challenges and develop innovative solutions.
Proficiency in designing and implementing systems architecture for scalable and distributed applications.
Understanding of different Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) approaches
Experience with model development using SysML, UML, or other modeling languages.
Experience with the application of system architecture frameworks such as DODAF or UAF.
Experience with MBSE tools, such as MagicDraw/Cameo/Enterprise Architect, Teamwork Cloud, Rhapsody, and DOORS.
Knowledgeable in system analysis, verification, validation, and optimization techniques.
Ability to define and apply SE and MBSE methodologies and best practices within DoD Systems Engineering contexts.
Must currently possess an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Navy combat systems such as the Aegis Weapon System or other Navy tactical applications.
DoD Surface Warfare software development domain knowledge and experience.
Solid understanding of networking principles, protocols, and security best practices.
Experience with infrastructure as code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or CloudFormation.
Familiarity with agile development methodologies and tools such as Jira or Trello.
Familiarity with DevOps methodologies and practices, including continuous integration, continuous delivery (CI/CD), and collaboration tools (e.g., Git, Jenkins, GitLab).
Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, C++, or Python, along with experience in software development methodologies, version control systems, and code review practices.

Responsibilities

Define and Scope Solutions: Interpret stakeholder needs to establish clear, prioritized requirements and success criteria that drive project outcomes.
Design and Architect Systems: Develop structured, scalable system designs that balance performance, reliability, and long-term sustainability.
Integrate and Validate Systems: Coordinate component integration, execute testing, and ensure solutions meet functional and quality standards.
Leverage Insights and Data: Analyze customer feedback, research findings, and performance trends to inform design direction and enhance system effectiveness.
Collaborate and Share Knowledge: Mentor peers, exchange best practices, and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and improvement.