Systems Engineer

$80K — $128K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Ability to obtain/maintain a Public Trust clearance
  • Bachelor’s degree with 5 years’ experience or Master’s degree with 3 years’ experience or Associate’s degree with 7 years’ experience or HS diploma with 9 years’ experience
  • Experience with full lifecycle systems engineering for complex systems
  • Ability to conduct trade studies and system performance evaluations
  • Experience managing technical requirements and interface definitions

Responsibilities

  • Perform end-to-end systems engineering across the lifecycle: requirements, design, integration, verification, and validation
  • Drive development of system concepts, architectures, and analysis to optimize performance
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to achieve objectives
  • Prepare and present technical documentation and findings
  • Contribute to trade studies and analyses under senior engineering mentorship
  • Support integration and testing activities during system-level reviews

Benefits

  • 100% on-site work environment in Herndon, VA or Bowie, MD based on program needs
  • Opportunity to influence national transportation safety and innovation
  • Collaboration with leading engineers and FAA stakeholders
  • Participation in advanced systems related to airspace safety and surveillance
  • Involvement in the FAA’s modernization initiatives for the National Airspace System
Full Job Description
Responsibilities

 

Join a team shaping the future of airspace safety and surveillance. As a Systems Engineer you’ll play a key role in designing, integrating, and analyzing complex systems that keep our skies secure. From advanced radar technologies to mission-critical surveillance solutions, your expertise will directly support the FAA’s efforts to modernize and maintain the National Airspace System.

 

Work Location:

  • This position is 100% on-site, primarily located in Herndon, VA, with an alternate work location available in Bowie, MD. Candidates must be able to work on-site at one of these locations based on program requirements.

 

In this position, you will:

  • Perform end-to-end systems engineering across the full lifecycle: requirements, design, integration, verification, and validation.
  • Drive the development of concepts, architectures, trade studies, and system analyses to optimize performance.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to ensure objectives are achieved and requirements are met.
  • Prepare and deliver technical documentation, reports, and presentations to clearly communicate findings and recommendations.
  • Contribute to trade studies and analyses under the mentorship of senior engineers.
  • Participate in system-level reviews and provide hands-on support for integration and testing activities.

Why This Role Matters

 

Your work will directly impact national transportation safety and innovation—helping develop and refine systems used by millions of travelers and aviation professionals every day. You’ll collaborate with top engineers, analysts, and FAA stakeholders to deliver solutions that meet the highest performance standards.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance
  • Bachelor’s degree and 5 years’ experience or Masters degree and 3 years’ experience or Associate’s degree and 7 years years’ experience or HS diploma/equivalent and 9 years’ experience
  • Systems Engineering experience supporting complex, integrated hardware and/or software systems.

  • Experience performing full lifecycle systems engineering activities including requirements development, system design, integration, verification, and validation (V&V).

  • Demonstrated ability to conduct trade studies, system analyses, and performance evaluations.

  • Experience developing and managing technical requirements, interface definitions, and architecture documentation.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or similar federal agencies (DOT, DHS, DoD).

  • Familiarity with National Airspace System (NAS) architecture, radar systems, surveillance technologies, or air traffic management systems.

  • Experience with advanced radar, sensor integration, or mission-critical surveillance systems.

  • Knowledge of FAA modernization initiatives (e.g., NextGen).

  • Experience using systems modeling tools such as MBSE, SysML, DOORS, Cameo, or similar requirements management platforms.

  • Familiarity with safety-critical systems engineering and compliance-driven environments.

  • Experience supporting system certification, readiness reviews, or operational deployment.

  • Professional certifications such as INCOSE ASEP/CSEP, PMP, or related credentials.

  • Degree in Systems Engineering or related discipline.

#BNATC

Target Salary Range$80,000 - $128,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

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