System Engineer 4

Columbia Technology Partners • Annapolis Junction, MD

6d

About The Position

Columbia Technology Partners is seeking a System Engineer 4 to support the design, integration, and lifecycle management of complex mission systems. This role applies systems engineering principles across all phases of the system lifecycle while serving as a technical leader, architect, and customer-facing engineer. The ideal candidate will work closely with government stakeholders, analysts, developers, and partner organizations to deliver innovative solutions that address critical mission requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of systems engineering experience; Master's degree and 8+ years; PhD and 8+ years; or High School Diploma/GED and 14+ years of systems engineering experience.
• Experience leading system architecture, technical design, and large-scale system integration efforts.
• Proven ability to work directly with customers and stakeholders to develop requirements and translate mission needs into technical solutions.
• Strong technical communication skills, including architecture documentation, engineering artifacts, technical presentations, and customer-facing deliverables.
• U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants.
• DOD 8570 Certification
• This position requires an active Security Clearance with appropriate Polygraph.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with data science, analytics architecture, AI/ML integration, or advanced data exploitation capabilities.
• Intelligence Community experience supporting SIGINT, RF, multi-INT, targeting, or analyst mission workflows.
• Knowledge of integration technologies, including REST APIs, GraphQL, Apache NiFi, Apache Camel, messaging platforms, or enterprise data exchange solutions.
• Familiarity with Java/Spring Boot environments and data modeling approaches involving relational, search, or graph-based architectures.

Responsibilities

• Apply systems engineering principles across the ISO/IEC 15288 lifecycle process areas, supporting systems from concept development through operational deployment and sustainment.
• Lead system architecture and integration efforts, defining technical approaches, integration patterns, interface requirements, and API contracts across multiple mission systems.
• Collaborate directly with government customers, analysts, operators, and partner organizations to translate operational needs into technical requirements and system capabilities.
• Develop and maintain integration architecture documentation, technical roadmaps, engineering artifacts, and customer-facing guidance.
• Analyze technical alternatives and recommend engineering solutions that balance mission needs, performance requirements, and technical risk.
• Design and support integration strategies leveraging REST APIs, GraphQL services, messaging platforms, and enterprise data exchange technologies.
• Work closely with development teams to guide technical implementation efforts and support system integration activities throughout the development lifecycle.
• Support the architecture of data-driven capabilities, helping define analytics requirements and enabling analysts to derive actionable insights from complex, multi-source data environments.
• Evaluate opportunities to incorporate AI/ML technologies, including anomaly detection, recommendation engines, pattern recognition, and advanced analytics capabilities that enhance mission effectiveness.
• Participate in technical exchanges, architecture reviews, and cross-program engineering discussions with customers, stakeholders, and partner organizations.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineering teams while coordinating the work of other engineers and technical staff.
• Analyze and recommend engineering standards, best practices, and processes to improve system quality, performance, and maintainability.
• Contribute to the development of innovative solutions addressing complex intelligence, mission operations, and systems integration challenges.
• Present technical approaches, system capabilities, and engineering recommendations to audiences ranging from end users and analysts to engineers, program managers, and senior leadership.

Benefits

• Medical: CTP offers 3 superior plans, bringing our employees both in-network and out-of-network options.
• Vision + Dental: Both free to you + paid in full by CTP.
• Retirement: 401k - 6% company contribution
• PTO + Leave: Offering customizable leave plans to meet your needs.
• Jury Duty, Bereavement + Military Leave provided.
• Career Growth: Up to $10,000 provided for approved career-related learning, training, education, and/or tuition.
• Life and AD&D Insurance/Short-Term & Long-Term Disability: At zero cost to you.
• Profit Sharing Bonus: End of year cash gets added to your bottom-line.
• Referral Bonus Program: Our tiered program provides an incentive with each stage of the hiring process your referral passes. Our bonuses range from $7,000-$20,000, if your referral joins the team.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED