Senior Systems Engineer

Company Description

We are seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to support the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC/HNJ) Cyber and Network Directorate at Hanscom AFB.

This role provides technical engineering leadership for software-based systems within a DoD acquisition environment. The position is not a software developer role and does not require day-to-day coding. Instead, the engineer is responsible for technical evaluation, integration oversight, risk management, and execution support for software capabilities being developed and fielded for Air Force use.

The role requires deep understanding of modern software development and deployment practices in constrained DoD environments, combined with the ability to translate technical reality into executable program decisions.

Job Description

What You Will Actually Do

• Serve as the technical authority for software-related engineering decisions on assigned programs.
• Evaluate proposed software architectures, development approaches, and deployment strategies for feasibility, risk, and compliance.
• Work with Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to translate requirements into executable technical plans.
• Review and assess frontend and backend application designs and deployment methods (without acting as the primary developer).
• Support engineering reviews, milestone decisions, and technical documentation required by DoD acquisition processes.
• Identify technical risks early and recommend realistic mitigation strategies.
• Advise program leadership on engineering tradeoffs that impact cost, schedule, and performance.
• Support quality assurance activities related to software delivery and sustainment.
• Communicate complex technical issues clearly to non-technical stakeholders and senior leadership.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications (Non-Negotiable)

• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility.
• Master’s degree in a STEM field (engineering preferred).
• 10 years of engineering experience supporting complex systems or DoD programs.
• Demonstrated experience with software-based systems, including:
  • Frontend and backend application architectures
  • Linux-based development and deployment environments
  • Software deployment to operational networks

• Working knowledge of:
  • DevSecOps pipelines and modern development practices
  • Virtualization and container technologies
  • Quality assurance and defect tracking processes
  • DoD software accreditation and authorization processes (ATO, RMF, eMASS)
  • DoD acquisition documentation (SOWs, CDRLs, technical evaluations, schedules)

Preferred (Not Required)

• Experience supporting Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) programs.
• Familiarity with Zero Trust Architecture implementations.
• Cybersecurity or software-related certifications.
• Prior military service or government acquisition experience.
• PMP, DAWIA, or similar certifications.

What This Role Is Not

• Not a junior engineering role.
• Not a staff augmentation coding position.
• Not a pure program management role.

Additional Information

• Location: Hanscom AFB – Bedford, MA (On-site)
• Employment Type: Full-Time, W-2
• Clearance: Active Secret with TS/SCI eligibility
• Pay: Commiserate with experience