Systems Engineer

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

Title: Systems Engineer II-III


Location: NRAO Headquarters, 520 Edgemont Rd, CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, United States of America


Requisition Number: 231


Job Family: Systems Engineer


Pay Type: Salary


Required Education: PPM

Position Description:

Position Summary

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is an exciting and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) in West Virginia, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail.

The Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) is a transformative astronomical observatory designed to deliver science-ready data products to a broad community of users. The Computing and Software System (CSS) is the backbone of this vision, encompassing all the software and hardware required to control the telescope, manage the flow of data, execute processing pipelines, and provide user-facing services. The CSS is decomposed into several major systems, each with a distinct role in the data lifecycle, from observation planning to final data analysis.

The ngVLA project is seeking a highly skilled and experienced system engineer with a software background. The system engineer will collaborate with System Architects and Engineers with domain expertise (subject matter experts) to formalize, capture and manage the evolving sub-system requirements, computing and software sub-system architecture, and sub-system designs. This position extends and implements the project-level systems engineering management plan and software development plan, ensuring that a rigorous design process is followed and deliverables meet project quality standards.

This position will be located at the NRAO facility in Charlottesville (VA).

What You Will be Doing

• Successfully lead all systems engineering tasks for CSS.
• Ensure requirements traceability and process alignment between CSS and the ngVLA project, including tracking the traceability of requirements down to CSS software subsystems within the ngVLA Cameo model.
• Document requirements, elaborate verification and validation (V&V) plans, update CSS design and system architecture, and create other technical documents needed for gate reviews.
• Define and maintain internal and external Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for CSS software subsystems within the ngVLA Cameo model.
• Model system and software subsystem behavior - including activity diagrams and state/mode diagrams - to document functional flows and control logic
• Support the execution of verification and validation (V&V) activities for CSS software subsystems, working with development teams to confirm requirements are met.
• Manage the development of all Systems Engineering plans and documentation for CSS needed for successful system design reviews.
• Utilize Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) techniques - specifically Cameo Systems Modeler, SysML, and MagicDraw - to update and extend the ngVLA Cameo model, document workflows and system models, and maintain interface specifications.
• Prepare technical documentation and presentations for CSS gate reviews and assist in managing subsystem design reviews
• Participate in the systems engineering management processes, including configuration management, baselining, change management and document management processes

Work Environment

The successful candidate will join a team of professionals engaged in research and development in the fields of science, engineering, software development, and education. Work is typically performed in a research or development environment.

Who You Are:

• You have a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, physical science, computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, or related field or significant work experience in a similar environment.
• At least five years working as a Systems Engineer in integrated project teams, preferably in scientific R&D environments.
• Incose or similar certification beneficial.
• Demonstrated experience with core systems engineering principles, including requirements capture, verification and validation plans, full project lifecycle planning.

• Experience of working across life cycle phases including: preliminary design, detail design, design qualification, production, construction or fabrication, and transition to operations
• Exposure to at least two of the following technology domains is preferred: electromagnetic, RF, digital signal processing, mechanical, software engineering, and civil engineering
• Experience with model-based systems engineering methodologies and tools
• Excellent verbal and written communication, and scheduling and running effective meetings with geographically dispersed teams.
• Proactive and independent work ethic

Additional Requirement

Observatory employees must be authorized to work in the United States. The Observatory presently cannot sponsor H-1B Visas for this position.

Total Rewards:

Compensation

The starting salary of this position is between $87,390-$120,837. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include; education, experience, skills, competencies, other qualifications of the successful candidate, as well as internal equity and labor market conditions.

Benefits:

Associated Universities, Inc (AUI) offers a comprehensive benefits package addressing the needs of employees and their families with most benefits beginning on the first day of employment, subject to eligibility requirements. AUI provides:

• Excellent paid time off (13 holidays, annual accrual of up to 24 vacation days)
• Medical, dental and vision plans are effective on the first day of employment.
• AUIs retirement benefit contributes an amount equal to 10 percent of a qualified participants base pay with no required employee contribution.
• Click Total Rewards for more information.

Application Instructions:

Select the Apply Now button. Please be prepared to upload your current CV/Resume and a cover letter describing interest and suitability for the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

AUI is an equal opportunity employer. To view our complete statement, please visit If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, you may submit your request by sending an email to View email address on click.appcast.io. PM20

Compensation details: 87390-120837 Yearly Salary

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