System Engineer, Level 3

• Analyze user requirements, concepts of operations, and high-level system architectures to develop system requirements specifications
• Lead system design and development activities, ensuring alignment with approved architectures and operational needs
• Guide users in formulating requirements, evaluating alternatives, and conducting feasibility studies
• Manage system and derived requirements to ensure delivery of production systems compatible with defined architectures such as DoDAF and SOA
• Develop and maintain system architecture and system design documentation
• Contribute to and review systems engineering documentation, including Systems Engineering Plans, Requirements Specifications, Interface Control Documents, and Initial Capability Documents
• Support system development and implementation planning, including system integration and test plans
• Coordinate and resolve action items from Configuration Control Boards, design reviews, program reviews, and test reviews
• Participate in Integrated Product Teams to design and evaluate new system capabilities
• Generate alternative system concepts, architectures, and design solutions
• Allocate real-time process budgets and error budgets to systems and subsystems
• Define verification methods, processes, and evaluation criteria to ensure systems meet requirements
• Ensure effective configuration management of hardware, software, and documentation throughout the system lifecycle
• Serve as a member of Configuration Control Boards
• Conduct system trade studies and analyses of alternatives, considering life-cycle cost, risk, performance, and scalability
• Develop risk mitigation strategies, alternative courses of action, and fallback plans; monitor risks using earned value management data
• Provide technical direction for requirements elicitation, functional allocation, integration, testing, and end-to-end system flow analysis
• Fully define and manage system interfaces, including software, electrical, and mechanical characteristics
• Develop operational, system, services, and technical standards views using applicable DoDAF standards
• Apply validated models, simulations, and prototypes to reduce risk and cost
• Communicate effectively with program personnel, government oversight org, Have you authored or contributed to Systems Engineering Plans, Requirements Specifications, or Interface Control Documents?* -- No answer --YesNo

Do you have experience managing configuration changes and participating in Configuration Control Boards (CCBs)?* -- No answer --YesNo

Have you conducted system trade studies, risk analyses, or analyses of alternatives to support engineering decisions?* -- No answer --YesNo

Do you have experience defining, documenting, and managing system interfaces across hardware, software, and network components?* -- No answer --YesNo

Have you provided technical leadership or oversight for system engineering activities in secure or mission-critical environments?* -- No answer --YesNo

• Strong experience leading systems engineering efforts for complex hardware and software systems
• Expertise in requirements analysis, functional decomposition, and requirements traceability
• Experience developing system architectures aligned to DoDAF and service-oriented architectures
• Experience with system integration, verification, validation, and test planning
• Strong background in configuration management and change control processes
• Experience conducting trade studies, risk assessments, and lifecycle analyses
• Knowledge of Information Assurance principles, including confidentiality, integrity, availability, and non-repudiation
• Experience defining and managing system interfaces across multiple engineering disciplines
• Familiarity with modeling, simulation, and prototyping to support system design decisions
• Strong documentation, briefing, and communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences, * Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or a related discipline from an accredited college or university
• Five (5) additional years of Systems Engineering experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree
• Minimum of twenty (20) years of experience as a System Engineer supporting programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity
• Demonstrated experience planning and leading Systems Engineering efforts across the full system lifecycle
• Additional experience with system architectures, integration planning, and secure system environments is required

Clearance Requirement:

• Must possess an active TS/SCI with appropriate Polygraph to be considered for this role, No answerGED or EquivalentHigh SchoolSome CollegeCollege - AssociatesCollege - Bachelor of ArtsCollege - Bachelor of Fine ArtsCollege - Bachelor of ScienceCollege - Master of ArtsCollege - Master of ScienceCollege - Master of Fine ArtsCollege - Master of Business AdministrationCollege - DoctorateMedical DoctorOther

College or University

LinkedIn Profile URL:

Desired salary

Earliest start date?

Do you possess an active and current TS/ SCI clearance?* -- No answer --YesNo

Do you possess an active and current Polygraph?* -- No answer --Yes CI PolygraphYes Full Scope PolygraphNo

If yes, what agency conducted the polygraph? Note: The Department of Defense (DoD) itself does not conduct polygraphs. Please list the specific agency within the IC that issued your polygraph.*

How many total years of professional Systems Engineering experience do you have?*

Do you have hands-on experience developing and managing system requirements derived from user needs, CONOPS, and high-level system architectures?* -- No answer --YesNo

Have you led system design and development activities for complex hardware and software systems?* -- No answer --YesNo

Do you have experience developing system architectures and service-oriented architecture (SOA) standards?* -- No answer --YesNo

• Competitive salary
• Company Sponsored Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans
• Company Paid Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Your retirement plan is an important benefit you shouldn't overlook. We offer a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust that offers a powerful way to enhance your long-term financial well-being by investing in yourself. We offer immediate eligibility and company matching.
• A generous Paid Time Off and Holiday package
• Paid training! We encourage all employees to seek out training opportunities like conferences, certification courses and seminars.
• We truly believe the right work-life balance can exist, and it's here at Independent Software. Our work is extremely important, but your job is just a part of who you are. When you enjoy your life outside of our walls, you're at your best the next time you walk through our doors. We do all we can to assure that happens every day. Independent Software is an Equal Opportunity Employer EOE, M/F/D/V.

System Engineer, Level 3

Fort Meade, MD

Full Time, At Independent Software, our people are the mission. We've built a company around collaboration, integrity, and innovation and we make sure our team has the tools and support to grow, succeed, and thrive. When you join us, you will:

• Support critical national security missions that matter
• Be part of a close-knit, employee-first culture where your voice is heard
• Expand your skills through ongoing training, mentorship, and career development
• Enjoy competitive compensation, generous benefits, and work-life balance

Ready to take the next step in your career? Join us and be part of something bigger.

Independent Software is a consulting, product, and solutions firm dedicated to the practical application of software and system engineering technologies to solve complex problems. We bring together world class engineers with proven engineering best practices, domain expertise, commercial technologies, and proven agile management approaches to create high value solutions aimed at helping our customers meet their most critical business and mission objectives. Why Independent Software? We are focused on continual learning and evolution. We don't do things because "that's the way we've always done things"; we listen to our employees and adapt to the changing marketplace. We look at the big picture and encourage our engineers to get training and certifications in emerging technologies that will help shape our customer's mission. We've been profitable year after year. We're always on the lookout for great engineers to join the team and we recognize that our employees are the heart and soul of what we do. We focus on recruiting talented people, treating them right, and then allowing them to do what they do best. No red tape. No micromanagement. Smart people want to work with smart people, and we love people who are passionate about what they do and finding ways to do it better. Top Reasons to Work at Independent Software: * Great people deserve even better benefits, from comprehensive healthcare coverage and generous leave time to discounts with all our vendors. * You are not just a job title. That's why we tip the work-life balance scale in your favor. It's not about being billable, it's about being valuable. * Whether you're working on-site or in our offices, your role at Independent Software is just as critical to our success as your coworker's. * We're constantly researching and implementing the latest technology, so you've always got the right tools at your disposal. * As we've grown, we've retained that small company feel. When we say we have an open-door policy, we actually mean it. * Independent Software is comprised of wonderfully generous folks. We believe in supporting the causes our employees care about. Bring us an opportunity to help and we'll listen. * Teamwork got us where we are today. Our collaborative environment allows you to maximize your true potential. * The work we do is exciting, critical stuff. No matter your role at Independent Software, you're helping us keep the nation safe and secure. * We have a history of great achievement, and, with each year, our company gets even bigger and better. As we grow, so does the opportunity for our employees. * We host a variety of fun employee and family events throughout the year to say thanks for all that you do to make Independent Software a technology leader as well as a phenomenal place to work.