System Engineer 4

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

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.

Key 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.

Qualifications:

• 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.

Desired Skills:

• 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.

Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. CTP is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph.
• Certification Requirements:
  • DOD 8570 Certification

This position requires an active Security Clearance with appropriate Polygraph.

About us:

Founded in 2007, Columbia Technology Partners is Woman-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business with a specialization in technology and management consulting committed to solving intricate and sensitive technology issues facing corporations and federal agencies. Since its inception, CTP has been instrumental in the technical design, engineering development, operational deployment, and support of key systems. With a proven track record in information security, project management, systems/network engineering, security risk management, vulnerability assessments, and mobile security implementation; our employees have the experience, expertise, and innovative thinking our customers need for results that exceed expectations. CTP staff have worked closely with both government engineers and management to gather mission requirements, develop the architecture to deliver the needed functionality and assess tools available to meet or exceed the needs of the mission.

At Columbia Technology Partners (CTP), we are united in being the best that we can be as individuals, but our core belief is that we can be better together. Together we will take on each mission with an execution process that authentically represents who we are. Our success relies on our team values, the foundation we built around them, and the Partners we become along the way.

That's why our pay is competitive, our missions are critical, and our benefits
represent what matters most to CTP: Our People.

Salary Range Transparency

At Columbia Technology Partners we are committed to transparency and fairness in our compensation practices. We believe in creating a work environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and rewarded for their contributions.

How We Determine Salary Ranges

Our salary ranges are based on the following key factors:

• Job Role and Responsibilities : The specific duties and responsibilities associated with each role form the foundation of our compensation structure.
• Market Research and Industry Benchmarks : We conduct regular analysis of market trends and salaries across our industry, using reliable compensation data to ensure we stay competitive.
• Experience and Qualifications : An individual's experience, education, certifications, and specialized skills all contribute to determining their position within a salary range.
• Location : Salary ranges may be adjusted based on geographic cost of living, in accordance with local and national standards.
• Company Performance : Our compensation practices also take into account overall company performance and financial health, ensuring that we maintain sustainability while rewarding our team.

Really good benefits, for really GREAT people:

From our CTP Family to yours, we know how important these decisions are. Your benefits are about you, not us. Tell us what you need in order to see a future at CTP; lets get where you're going, together .

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: A work life balance is extremely important to our team here at CTP, which is why our paid time off plans are so lucrative. Offering customizable leave plans to meet your needs is just one of our many perks! 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: More peace of mind, 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.

Columbia Technology Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law. Our EEO policy reflects our commitment to ensure equality and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Our policy applies to all employees, job candidates, contractors, stakeholders, partners, and visitors.

CTP was voted one of the top 25 best places to work in Baltimore by Baltimore Magazine!