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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Hardware Systems Engineer - **Company:** Actalent - **Location:** Warrenton, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $114,400.0 - $203,840.0 - **Contract:** Temporary to permanent - **Skills:** Adobe InDesign, Systems Engineering, Configuration Management, Network Interface Controllers, Inventory Management Software, Network Troubleshooting, Satcom, Signal Processing, Software Systems, Systems Modeling Language, Systems Architecture, Systems Integration, Reliability of Systems, System-level Testing, Build Management, DODAF - **Published:** November 5, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.adzuna.com/details/5953434470 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. * At least 5 years of experience in systems engineering, integration, test, or deployment supporting complex technical programs. * Proven experience supporting system integration, verification, validation, and deployment activities for complex systems. * Demonstrated experience creating and executing test procedures and verification plans for hardware and software systems. * Hands-on experience building, integrating, and troubleshooting hardware-based systems in a lab or field environment. * Experience with rack-and-stack installations, including hardware mounting, cable management, and system build activities. * Experience generating system architecture artifacts such as topology diagrams, interconnect diagrams, and technical documentation. * Experience working within a formal Configuration Management (CM) environment, including maintaining hardware and software baselines. * Experience supporting engineering change processes and managing technical baselines. * Active Secret Security Clearance. * Ability to travel approximately 15% to support CONUS and OCONUS activities. Additional Skills & Qualifications * Master's degree in a related technical discipline. * Experience supporting SATCOM, tactical communications, networking, or mission systems. * Experience with DoDAF architecture products and system architecture development. * Experience supporting factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and operational test events. * Experience supporting deployed systems in field or operational environments. * Experience with SWaP analysis and platform integration activities. * Familiarity with engineering change processes including ECR, ERB, and CCB. * Experience with logistics, supply chain management, inventory management, or RMA processes. * Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and configuration management systems. * Experience supporting government, defense, aerospace, or national security programs. * Exposure to or interest in model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and SysML. * Background or familiarity with DSP, signal processing, RF, radio frequency systems, and satellite-related technologies. * Experience contributing to or supporting design activities such as requirements development, CONOPS, and design reviews (PDR, CDR). * Interest in growing into or performing a lead systems engineer role, including shaping systems engineering processes on new programs., 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. ## Description This role focuses on the integration, testing, deployment, sustainment, and lifecycle management of advanced mission systems, with a strong emphasis on the right side of the systems engineering lifecycle. You will serve as a hands-on systems engineer who builds and integrates complex hardware-based systems, develops and executes verification plans, and ensures mission systems are successfully delivered and maintained in operational environments. You will collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, logistics, suppliers, quality assurance, and operations teams to ensure system readiness and mission success, while also helping to shape systems engineering processes on a new, modern defense program., * Lead system integration, verification, validation, testing, deployment, and sustainment activities for mission-critical systems across the full systems engineering lifecycle. * Develop detailed test requirements, verification plans, and acceptance criteria, and execute system-level test procedures to validate system performance and compliance. * Perform hands-on system build activities including rack-and-stack integration, hardware installation, cable management, system initialization, and configuration of complex hardware-based systems. * Create and maintain technical artifacts such as system architecture diagrams, DoDAF views, topology diagrams, interconnect diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), and technical specifications. * Troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues, perform root cause analysis, and drive corrective and preventive actions to improve system reliability and performance. * Maintain hardware and software baselines within a formal Configuration Management (CM) environment and support engineering change processes including ECR, ERB, and CCB activities. * Support hardware lifecycle management activities including technology refresh, logistics coordination, inventory tracking, and return material authorization (RMA) processes. * Coordinate with customers, suppliers, and internal engineering teams to plan and support system deployments, field installations, testing events, and transitions into operational use. * Support and participate in design activities such as requirements development, concepts of operations (CONOPS), and design reviews (PDR, CDR) to ensure testability, deployability, and sustainment considerations are incorporated. * Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, including the application of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and SysML where appropriate. * Support and, when needed, lead factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and operational test events for deployed systems. * Assist with platform integration activities, including SWaP-related considerations, interconnect design, and integration of RF, DSP, signal processing, and satellite communication components. * Provide on-site and remote support for deployed systems in field or operational environments, including troubleshooting and sustaining activities. * Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between system design, integration, logistics, and operational needs, driving continuous improvement across deployed systems.