Systems Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Systems Engineer Digital Ground Station

Job Description

This role focuses on supporting the full Systems Engineering V life cycle for a state-of-the-art US Navy digital ground station that enables in-fill and ex-fill communication. You will design, implement, and maintain requirements that directly support critical customer missions, ensuring seamless integration of hardware, software, and network components to achieve high system performance and reliability. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and have the opportunity to influence architecture, processes, and technical direction on a modern, mission-connected defense project.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement complex systems architectures that meet defined technical and mission requirements.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather system requirements and translate them into clear, actionable technical specifications.
• Evaluate and select appropriate hardware, operating systems, software, and network components for system implementation.
• Support installation and configuration of system hardware, operating systems, and software applications for the digital ground station.
• Perform system integration, testing, and troubleshooting to ensure smooth, efficient, and reliable system functionality.
• Develop, maintain, and update system documentation, including configuration details, operational procedures, test plans, and troubleshooting guides.
• Apply full life cycle Systems Engineering V practices, including requirements development, CONOPS, CDR, PDR, traceability, trade studies, and ICDs.
• Design and maintain system-level artifacts such as concepts of operations (CONOPS), critical design reviews (CDR), preliminary design reviews (PDR), and interface control documents (ICDs).
• Develop and execute system test plans that validate requirements and confirm end-to-end system performance.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including software developers, network engineers, and DSP developers, to ensure cohesive and effective system integration.
• Provide technical support and guidance to internal teams, assisting with system-related issues and recommending improvements.
• Contribute to or establish model-based systems engineering (MBSE) processes and SysML-based documentation to formalize systems engineering practices.
• Support implementation efforts involving digital signal processing, signal processing workflows, RF and radio frequency systems, and satellite communications technologies.
• Participate in trade studies and requirements traceability activities to optimize system design and maintain alignment with mission objectives.
• Help shape and refine systems engineering processes for a new project, with the opportunity to step into or grow into a lead Systems Engineer role.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience working across the entire Systems Engineering V life cycle, from requirements through design, implementation, test, and deployment.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing systems architectures, including development of CONOPS, CDR, PDR, trade studies, traceability matrices, and interface control documents (ICDs).
• Hands-on experience with hardware platforms, operating systems, network protocols, and software applications in complex system environments.
• Proven experience in system integration, system-level testing, and troubleshooting of multi-component systems.
• Ability to develop and maintain comprehensive system documentation, including configuration details, operational procedures, and test plans.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams such as software development, network engineering, and DSP engineering.
• Familiarity with digital signal processing, signal processing concepts, RF and radio frequency systems, and satellite communication technologies.
• Understanding of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) principles and SysML modeling practices.
• Active Secret clearance with eligibility for TS/SCI.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with satellite or RF communication systems in an operational or development environment.
• Experience working on defense-related or mission-focused projects.
• Experience contributing to or establishing formal systems engineering processes in a growing organization.
• Interest in working with open-source, modern technologies early in a projects architecture phase.
• Ability to step into a lead role or grow into a Lead Systems Engineer position over time.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for working with diverse technical teams and stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and a structured approach to requirements, documentation, and traceability.

Work Environment

This position operates in a hybrid work model, with approximately two days per week onsite in Warrenton, VA after an initial training period. During the first one to two months, you will work onsite full-time to complete training and become familiar with the systems and team. The role is based in the Vint Hill technology park, an open, collaborative environment with nearby amenities such as a brewery, winery, and fitness facilities. The team supporting this program consists of a core group of around 13 people and an extended team of approximately 2530 including subcontractors, creating a close-knit yet dynamic project community. The work feels more like a commercial project than a traditional secure facility environment, with open office space, laptops, and the ability to have personal cell phones at work. The organization focuses on prime contracts, providing greater control over the work and direct interaction with the customer, and offers a culture that emphasizes mission connection, modern open-source technologies, and flexibility. Compensation is structured to pay for the hours actually worked, rather than a fixed 40-hour week, and the environment supports growth into leadership roles on a cutting-edge defense program.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Warrenton, VA.

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $80.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Warrenton, VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 2026.

This is a hybrid position in Warrenton,VA.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.