Senior Systems Engineer

Gormat•Annapolis Junction, MD

About The Position

The Senior Systems Engineer provides strategic systems engineering, technical governance, and enterprise integration support to PAE JCWA (Joint Cyber Warfare Architecture). This highly visible SETA position serves as a trusted advisor to leadership, supporting architecture development, systems engineering governance, Agile execution, and cross-functional coordination across JCWA programs. The role combines technical expertise, strategic thinking, process discipline, and communication skills to support complex systems-of-systems development in a DoD environment. The engineer collaborates with architecture, technical advisory, operational value stream, and engineering teams to develop JCWA systems engineering documentation and the JCWA Next-generation Reference Design (JNeRD). The role develops and manages governance artifacts and processes, supports enterprise capabilities such as JCWA-ICAM, and provides analysis and recommendations concerning policies, architectures, procedures, and program performance. The position facilitates large-scale PI Planning for more than 900 personnel across multiple Agile Release Trains, develops planning and communication materials, leads after-action and continuous-improvement efforts, and implements automated workflows, dashboards, and reporting using Atlassian tools. It supports the PEO JCWA Lean Agile Center of Excellence and identifies opportunities to improve and standardize processes. The engineer coordinates operational needs and requirements across Agile Release Trains and stakeholders, supports Functional Area Requirements Working Groups, and develops executive reporting and communications. The role also provides systems engineering leadership and technical oversight for complex systems-of-systems architectures, supports enterprise architecture governance and integration, maintains technical and governance resources, and briefs leadership on issues, dependencies, risks, and recommendations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or a related discipline from an accredited college or university.
Fifteen years of relevant experience with a bachelor's degree.
Demonstrated experience supporting DoD and defense contracting environments.
Proven experience applying systems engineering principles to complex systems-of-systems architectures and enterprise-scale programs.
Experience supporting organizations of 200–2,000 personnel with complex technical, operational, and governance structures.
Expert-level proficiency with Atlassian Confluence and Jira, including dashboard development, workflow automation, requirements management, and enterprise collaboration.
Deep understanding of the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Agile Release Trains, and Program Increment Planning.
Experience developing governance frameworks, technical documentation, SOPs, MFRs, Architectural Decision Records, and systems engineering artifacts.
Strong understanding of DoD acquisition policies, systems engineering lifecycle processes, and the Adaptive Acquisition Framework.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical concepts into executive-level communications and recommendations.
Experience supporting USCYBERCOM, cyber mission programs, enterprise architecture initiatives, or large-scale modernization efforts.
Experience with Mattermost and Confluence.
Active TS/SCI with current CI polygraph; the polygraph must be under seven years old.
TS/SCI with polygraph is required.

Nice To Haves

SAFe certification or formal SAFe training.
CISSP certification is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Chief Architect, Technical Development Advisory, Operational Value Stream Leads, and engineering teams to develop and mature JCWA systems engineering documentation and the JCWA Next-generation Reference Design (JNeRD).
Develop, review, and implement governance artifacts, including charters, MFRs, SOPs, systems engineering plans, and technical guidance for the JCWA Integration Office and JCWA Technical Oversight Council.
Establish and manage Architectural Decision Record and Technical Need processes to ensure decisions are documented, reviewed, approved, and aligned with enterprise architecture strategy and the North Star vision.
Assist in evaluating and implementing enterprise capabilities, including JCWA Identity, Credential, and Access Management initiatives.
Maintain awareness of DoD and Department of the Army policies, standards, and requirements affecting systems engineering and development.
Analyze technical policies, procedures, architectures, and program performance, and recommend courses of action to leadership and development teams.
Facilitate and coordinate large-scale Defensive & Enterprise Solutions PI Planning events for more than 900 personnel across multiple Agile Release Trains.
Develop PI Planning materials, communication campaigns, stakeholder engagement products, navigation guides, and informational resources.
Lead After-Action Reports, lessons learned, and continuous-improvement initiatives resulting from PI Planning and operational activities.
Engineer and implement automated workflows, dashboards, and reporting capabilities using Atlassian Confluence and Jira.
Support establishment, maturation, and operation of the PEO JCWA Lean Agile Center of Excellence.
Identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and standardization across JCWA engineering and governance functions.
Coordinate Priority Operational Needs across Agile Release Trains and align them with PEO JCWA priorities and J3 operational requirements.
Collaborate with PMOs, Service Cyber Components, government agencies, mission partners, and technical organizations to define, de-conflict, prioritize, and manage requirements.
Support Functional Area Requirements Working Groups by improving governance, transparency, and stakeholder coordination.
Develop and maintain Confluence executive dashboards and reporting on NDAA compliance, JTOC-directed initiatives, operational priorities, and program performance.
Engage with senior military and civilian leadership to provide updates, communicate risks and issues, gather mission insights, and align technical activities with mission objectives.
Develop strategic communications for executive audiences describing JCWA capabilities, technical accomplishments, operational outcomes, and mission success.
Provide systems engineering leadership and technical oversight for complex systems-of-systems architectures in large-scale DoD environments.
Support enterprise architecture governance, systems integration, and technical decision-making across JCWA programs.
Develop and maintain knowledge repositories, governance documentation, technical reference materials, and enterprise collaboration resources.
Use Confluence, Jira, and Atlassian integrations to improve knowledge management, requirements traceability, and workflow automation.
Monitor major JCWA issues, dependencies, and risks, and provide timely recommendations and executive briefings.
Support the PEO JCWA Executive Support Staff by developing and formalizing instructions, SOPs, MFRs, governance frameworks, and standardized operating processes.