Software Systems Engineer

Job ID: 4914

The Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems Division at the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) delivers mission-critical solutions, specializing in cyber operations, information architecture, strategic deterrence, and ISR. Our division’s commitment to innovation and security enables us to provide critical solutions across defense, intelligence, and national security. Join our team and contribute to the next generation of defense technologies.

Key Responsibilities:

In this role, you will work with multiple customers with varied needs to ensure that complex software-intensive systems are designed, built, and fielded to meet requirements and enable flawless operations. You will support customer programs by overseeing system integration activities, providing technical insight, and offering direction across the development lifecycle.
Your primary responsibilities will focus on managing program requirements and ensuring their proper application to the product baseline. This includes writing and maintaining test plans, generating and updating system and interface documentation, and supporting the traceability of requirements through design, implementation, and verification.

To be effective in this role, you should have a solid working knowledge of system and software engineering principles, including design patterns and best practices, as well as experience applying them to real-world problems. You will also play a key role in identifying, documenting, and helping to mitigate technical risks that could impact successful delivery and integration.

You will:

• Work closely with customers as a subject matter expert to assess high-level requirements—including non-functional requirements and constraints—and decompose them into actionable features, development tasks, and software components that ensure designs are valid and verifiable
• Manage program requirements and maintain alignment with the product baseline through documentation, test plans, and interface control documents
• Develop and maintain system models, diagrams, and specifications to ensure clarity and traceability across the development lifecycle
• Oversee interface definition and management, ensuring seamless integration across subsystems and with external systems
• Identify, document, and support the mitigation of technical risks that could impact successful program execution
• Provide technical insight and direction during integration, verification, and validation activities to ensure customer needs are met with high-quality solutions
• Contribute to the adoption and improvement of DevSecOps practices, including automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, and security integration throughout the development lifecycle, to improve system reliability and delivery speed

• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field, e.g., computer science, computer engineering, software engineering
• At least 8 years of relevant software engineering experience demonstrating a strong grasp all aspects of the software lifecycle
• Proficiency with C/C++ and Python and working knowledge of other programming languages
• Strong understanding of networking fundamentals, including TCP/IP, routing, switching, addressing, subnetting, and common protocols; ability to assess and troubleshoot networked system interactions
• Understanding of DevSecOps principles, the role of CI/CD pipelines in software systems engineering, and how automated testing contributes to quality, security, and certification readiness
• Solid understanding of systems engineering documentation using UML and/or SysML
• Must possess strong team and interpersonal skills
• Must possess effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers
• Must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain US Government Security Clearance
• Must be able to travel occasionally to government, contractor, and customer facilities

• 5+ years of experience as a software systems engineer 
• 4+ years actively architecting/designing software systems utilizing a working knowledge of software design patterns.
• Proficiency with C++17
• Proficiency in systems engineering languages (i.e., UML and/or SysML)
• Systems engineering experience (DoD/INCOSE)
• Master’s degree in a related field
• Active DoD TS/SCI clearance

• Salary commensurate based on education and relevant experience
  • Level II:
    • $108,000 - $117,000
    • 8-10 years of relevant experience and a BS, or 3-8 years of relevant experience and a MS, or 0-4 years of relevant experience and a PhD
  • Level III:
    • $117,000 - $139,000
    • 10-15 years of relevant experience and a BS, or 8-13 years of relevant experience and a MS, or 4-9 years of relevant experience and a PhD

This range serves as a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as role, level, location, market conditions, and individual qualifications, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The range displayed in the job advertisement reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries across all US locations. Specific salary details for a candidate’s preferred location can be provided by the recruiter or HR manager during the hiring process.

Why Join SDL?
*SDL offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. Visit our Benefits Page to learn more about what we offer.

SDL delivers advanced multi-domain solutions to protect national security and enable scientific discovery. Our expertise in satellites, sensors and instruments, ground systems and data processing, and autonomous systems plays a critical role in missions supporting NASA and the Department of Defense. Join our team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals in our seventh decade of delivering mission success.

At SDL, we strive to uphold a culture of respect, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability. We listen with open minds, seek to understand diverse perspectives, and engage in thoughtful dialogue. We work together by sharing knowledge, involving others, and offering support. We trust and empower our team members to take ownership, act with integrity, and be accountable. Above all, we deliver on our commitments to each other and to our mission partners.

For questions, assistance, or accommodation with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact [email protected].