ARES Corporation

Modernization Systems Architect

ARES Corporation$120K — $145K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years of systems engineering experience on complex defense or aerospace programs.
  • 8+ years of DoD experience (if no degree) or 5+ years (if holding a Bachelor's) in a related field.
  • Demonstrated leadership on ACAT I/II Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP).
  • Expertise in requirements management, verification and validation in DoD environments.
  • Experience in developing Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA) strategies.

Responsibilities

  • Provide systems engineering oversight across the technical baseline.
  • Review contractor's system and subsystem requirements for clarity and traceability.
  • Oversee contractor-led engineering trade studies, ensuring balance in performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
  • Manage the requirements verification process and assess V&V plans.
  • Track and report on the status of identified system deficiencies for resolution.
  • Evaluate system architecture for compliance with MOSA principles.
  • Monitor integration activities and provide risk mitigation strategies.

Benefits

  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • HSA/FSA Accounts
  • Life & Disability Insurance
  • Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid Time Off & Holidays
Full Job Description
We are recruiting for a Principal Modernization Systems Engineer for the Engineering, Professional, and Administrative Support Services (EPASS) Contract at Peterson Airforce Bases supporting SYD 85 in the S5.

This is a full-time position at Peterson Space Force Base.

Duties include, but not limited to:
  • Provide systems engineering oversight across the entire technical baseline. Review and assess the prime contractor's systems engineering plans, processes, and artifacts to ensure they align with Government objectives and best practices.
  • Review and provide technical recommendations on the full set of contractor-developed system and subsystem requirements, ensuring they are clear, verifiable, and properly allocated and traced.
  • Oversee and assess contractor-led engineering trade studies, providing the Government with independent analysis of alternatives to ensure decisions balance performance, cost, schedule, and risk across the portfolio.
  • Manage and provide oversight of the requirements verification process. This includes reviewing and assessing the contractor's Verification and Validation (V&V) plans, Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP), and the Requirements Verification Matrix (RVM).
  • Manage the Government's oversight of the deficiency reporting process. Track and report on the status of all identified system deficiencies, ensuring they are properly documented, prioritized, and driven to resolution by the contractor.
  • Evaluate the overall system architecture, including external and internal interfaces, to ensure it is robust, scalable, and compliant with Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA) principles.
  • Monitor system integration activities, identify potential cross-domain (hardware, software, cybersecurity) integration risks, and provide the Government with risk mitigation strategies.
  • Provide continuous technical support and recommendations to the Government team throughout all phases of the acquisition lifecycle, including major technical reviews (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR), configuration management, and system-level testing.
  • Assist with Configuration Control Boards, Engineering Trades, Requirements Verification, Requirements Mapping, and all aspects of baseline management at all levels of the program to include the portfolio/system-of-systems level

Citizenship: Must be a US citizen

Minimum Required Qualifications

Clearance: Secret Clearance with the ability to obtain DOD Clearance

Education: High School Diploma

Years of Experience: 15 years of directly related experience; to include 8 years of DoD experience; OR
  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field and twelve (12) years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline; to include five (5) years of DoD experience; OR
  • Master's or Doctorate Degree in a related field and ten (10) years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline; to include five (5) years of DoD experience

Required Technical Skills:
  • 15+ years of experience in systems engineering on complex defense or aerospace programs.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience on an ACAT I/II Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP), with direct responsibility for system-of-systems integration.
  • Demonstrated experience on a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) or other large-scale (ACAT I/II) programs.
  • Expertise in requirements management, verification and validation, and Test & Evaluation (T&E) in a DoD environment.
  • Proven experience developing and implementing a Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA) strategy on a large program.
  • Ability to manage complex technical trades and interface challenges in a multi-contractor environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Clearance: Active DOD Clearance Required

Education: Master's degree in Systems Engineering or a related technical field.

Certifications: NA

Preferred Technical Skills:
  • NCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) or Expert (ESEP).
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
  • DAWIA (or equivalent) Level III Certification in Systems Engineering (SE) or Program Management (PM).

Additional Information

Location: Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO

Travel: 10% or as needed

Remote, On-site, or Hybrid: Hybrid- Approx.1-2 days remote based on Government discretion

ARES Benefits:

ARES offers a competitive compensation and benefit package. Full time employees may participate in:
  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • HSA/FSA Accounts
  • Life & Disability Insurance
  • Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
  • ESOP
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Paid Time Off & Holidays

Our stated salary range represents a general guideline. However, ARES considers a number of factors when determining salary offers such as current market conditions, the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, and skills.

*Applications are going to be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position has been filled.

About ARES Corporation

ARES Corporation is a privately held company that provides engineering, project management, risk management, and technology solutions for clients in the aerospace and defense industries. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia. ARES Corporation has worked on a variety of projects, including the development of the Orion spacecraft for NASA and the design of the Air Force's next-generation bomber. The company has also provided support for the Department of Defense and other government agencies.
Learn more about ARES Corporation
Size
1,000 employees
Market Cap
$9.6 billion
Industry
Net Income
$484 million
Revenue
$1.5 billion
NASDAQ

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