ResponsibilitiesPNNL is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer III to lead test and evaluation and systems-engineering activities supporting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other national security mission needs. The selected candidate will provide technical leadership for the planning, coordination, execution, and assessment of complex technology demonstrations, test events, and system-integration activities supporting homeland security applications.
Projects may support DHS missions including border security, critical infrastructure protection, detection and screening technologies, situational awareness, emergency response, and other homeland security applications.
Working within multidisciplinary teams, the engineer will help ensure technologies are evaluated rigorously, requirements are traceable, risks are identified and managed, and technical decisions are documented and communicated effectively. The role includes responsibility for improving engineering processes, advising project leadership, coordinating technical resources, and supporting the successful transition of technologies from development into operational environments.
- Plans, develops, designs, and manages holistic systems solutions throughout the project lifecycle.
- Provides expertise in how to tailor systems engineering techniques and processes to meet project objectives within constraints.
- Balances systems thinking and systems engineering best practices, as needed, over the full range of technology maturity levels.
- Applies systems engineering expertise to define cost/benefit and risk/opportunity, develop and analyze alternatives, support decisions, and mitigate risks.
- Provide technical leadership for test-planning, test-readiness, execution, and reporting activities.
- Develop and maintain plans and procedures for assigned technical activities.
- Establish or review project-level approaches for coordination, risk management, data management, configuration management, and technical documentation.
- Coordinate test readiness, schedules, staffing, equipment, facilities, and required documentation.
- Track and oversee the resolution of technical issues, risks, decisions, and action items.
- Review and approve technical work products, test artifacts, data products, and documentation for quality, completeness, consistency, and compliance with approved processes.
- Advise project leadership on requirements, dependencies, technical risks, resource constraints, and opportunities to improve project execution.
- Lead coordination across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders to ensure alignment of technical objectives, schedules, and deliverables.
- Mentor junior staff and contribute to the development and improvement of systems-engineering and test-and-evaluation practices.
- Continuously assess, learn, and apply emerging AI-enabled tools and technologies to improve engineering workflows, technical analyses, test activities, and mission outcomes while adhering to organizational policies and responsible-use practices.
- Operate with high standards for quality, safety, security, conduct of research, and protection of sensitive information.
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA and 5+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
- MS/MA and 3+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
- PhD with 1+ year of relevant experience
- Relevant experience is defined as systems engineering, test and evaluation (T&E), systems integration, verification and validation, or technical program support.
- Experience independently planning and coordinating assigned test or data-collection activities, including defining objectives, schedules, roles, procedures, and documentation requirements.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, or a closely related technical discipline.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex test-planning or systems engineering efforts and delivering plans, procedures, technical recommendations, and project documentation.
- Expertise in systems engineering disciplines such as requirements analysis, interface management, configuration management, verification and validation, risk management, and lifecycle documentation.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional coordination, resolve competing priorities, identify technical and operational risks, and provide recommendations to project leadership.
- Demonstrated excellent technical writing, communication, and presentation skills, including the ability to convey complex technical information to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Experience supporting government, research, or operational testing programs.
- Experience with complex technical systems, sensors, imaging systems, or related technologies.
- Familiarity with data governance and information-handling requirements.
- Experience managing data products such as equipment-generated files, images, field notes, and test observations.
Hazardous Working Conditions/EnvironmentNot Applicable.
Additional InformationThis position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
A security clearance background investigation includes review of your employment, education, financial, and criminal history, as well as interviews with you and your personal references, neighbors, and co-workers to determine trustworthiness, reliability, and loyalty to the United States. The investigation also examines your foreign connections, drug and alcohol use, foreign influence, and overall conduct.
Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
- Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy if non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months cannot be demonstrated.
Testing Designated PositionThis position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.
Rockstar RewardsEmployees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
Click Here For Rockstar Rewards
Notice to ApplicantsPNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual's relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.
As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of th
