CCE Systems Engineer

JOB SUMMARY

Specialty Systems, Inc. is seeking a motivated and experienced CCE Systems Engineer to support a NAVAIR‑led U.S. Marine Corps MQ‑9 program located at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in Patuxent River, MD. The selected candidate will provide technical leadership supporting the integration, testing, sustainment, and certification of the MQ‑9 Common Control Environment (CCE) and associated Ground Control Station (GCS) capabilities. In this role, you will work closely with government engineers, operational stakeholders, and industry partners to support mission‑critical unmanned aviation systems directly impacting Marine Corps operations. The ideal candidate will possess strong systems engineering experience supporting software‑intensive defense programs, along with a collaborative mindset and the ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering efforts in a fast‑paced acquisition environment. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to advanced unmanned aviation capabilities while supporting engineering activities across the full system lifecycle, including requirements development, integration, testing, certification, and sustainment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership Serve as the Lead Systems Engineer supporting MQ‑9 Common Control Environment (CCE) capabilities for Marine Corps operations. Lead system engineering activities including requirements flowdown, architecture development, interface management, and technical trade studies. Serve as a technical point of contact for NAVAIR, USMC stakeholders, and platform integrators. Ensure alignment between CCE software, ground control systems, mission systems, communications/data links, and aircraft interfaces. Systems Engineering & Integration Support systems engineering activities across the full lifecycle including requirements analysis and allocation, architecture development, interface control documents (ICDs), verification & validation (V&V). Support integration and testing activities including lab integration, SIL/HIL testing, flight testing, and operational evaluations. Develop and maintain technical documentation supporting certification, airworthiness, and program technical reviews. Analyze system performance, technical risks, and interface requirements to support mission effectiveness and system interoperability. Support development of technical manuals, training materials, and sustainment documentation. Team & Program Support Lead and mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams supporting systems, software, integration, and test activities. Coordinate engineering priorities and technical deliverables to support program schedules and mission objectives. Participate in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, test readiness reviews, and customer briefings. Collaborate closely with program managers, engineers, test teams, and subcontractors to ensure successful program execution.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications Must be a US Citizen. Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI. Bachelor’s degree in systems engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline. 10+ years of experience in systems engineering or software‑intensive defense programs. Hands‑on experience with unmanned systems, ground control stations, or avionics control software. Prior experience leading engineering teams (technical lead, IPT lead, or manager). Strong understanding of requirements management (DOORS or equivalent), interface definition and control, V‑model systems engineering practices. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams. Comfortable making technical decisions in a fast‑moving acquisition environment. Strong communication skills with both engineers and senior government stakeholders. Mission‑focused, collaborative, and customer oriented mindset. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in Engineering. Certification in Systems Engineering. Experience with NAVAIR Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) process. Familiarity with DoD aviation development, production, sustainment, and/or testing. Knowledge of U.S. Government, DoD, and/or USN correspondence development practices, along with the ability to write formal engineering reports and construct briefing materials using MS Office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel). Direct experience with MQ‑9, Predator class UAS, or similar Group 4/5 UAS platforms. Familiarity with Common Control Environment (CCE) or equivalent UAS control software. NAVAIR, USMC, or USAF acquisition program experience with knowledge of open systems architectures (MOSA) and Agile/DevSecOps. Prior experience supporting PMA 266 or Marine Corps aviation programs. Active TS/SCI or SCI eligible clearance. Equal Employment Opportunity Specialty Systems, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws and offers equal opportunity for VEVRAA Protected Veterans. Specialty Systems, Inc. will not discriminate against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose compensation information. Reasonable accommodation that does not cause an undue hardship on the company may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions, as long as that would not hinder or prevent performance of duties or be of a safety concern.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand and walk. The employee may be required to move ten pounds and could occasionally lift or move up to twenty‑five pounds. Disclaimer: The listed duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of primary duties and responsibilities. #J-18808-Ljbffr Castellum Inc