Senior Systems Engineer - JobID-0199

About the role

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to join our Warfare Systems team based in Arlington, VA or Mount Laurel, NJ. The Senior Systems Engineer will work on DOD initiatives supporting Navy surface and unmanned platforms, focusing on real-time automated test and analysis, virtual computing environments, AI/ML-based data analytics, cybersecurity, and tactical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test complex software in C, C++, Python, JavaScript, and Java within various development environments.
• Analyze legacy monolithic software programs, recompiling them, and applying refactoring using brownfield and greenfield methodologies.
• Technical assessment and deconstruction of Navy tactical system code for Surface Navy Combat systems.
• Explore and prototype next-generation solutions using AI/machine learning, distributed processing, and modeling.
• Interact with customers to elicit requirements and document agreements.
• Present project cost, schedule, and technical progress to organization leadership.
• Develop software architecture, including hardware and software interfaces between components.
• Develop user, functional, and technical requirements for tactical systems.
• Participate and provide feedback in design and code peer reviews.
• Support test and integration activities at IDT labs and government Land Based Test Sites (LBTS).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering or a related field, or equivalent full-time professional experience.
• 5-10+ years of full-time professional experience.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time, as needed.
• Familiarity with combat system design and software.
• Experience with C, C++, Python, and/or Java programming languages.
• Adept with developing in Linux OS environments, including shell scripting.
• Understanding of distributed systems, algorithms, data structures, and software design patterns, especially the Strangler Pattern.
• Experience with Agile software development processes.
• Proficiency working within a Git CM environment.
• Comfortable with DevSecOps best practices.
• Ability to convert vague customer requirements into a refined vision.
• Ability to identify and describe algorithmic complexity.
• Ability to work on-site with potential hybrid flexibility.
• Strong sense of ownership, urgency, and initiative, with the ability to translate complex or ambiguous requirements into effective technical solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong cross-functional relationships across engineering, security, compliance, and other stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including developing strategic plans of action, building and leading teams to execute against those plans, and effectively communicating progress and priorities across all levels of the organization.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering or a related field, or equivalent full-time professional experience.
• Master’s degree in computer science, engineering, or other technical field.
• Familiar with Agentic AI methodologies and Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Proven past performance leading technical teams in fast-paced, challenging environments, with Navy systems and government program offices.
• Familiarity with the AEGIS Weapon System Common Source Library (CSL), ideally, or Ship Self Defense System (SSDS) Single Source Library (SSL).
• Experience with AEGIS, ideally, or SSDS tactical systems.
• Experience utilizing Make build system, Maven, and Ant scripting.
• Experience with X-Windows.
• Familiar with Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) methodologies.
• Experience with Jenkins, Jira, and the Atlassian tool suite.
• Familiarity with foundational networking concepts such as routing, switching, identity services, intrusion detection, and firewall.
• Familiarity deploying virtual machines in VMWare vSphere environments including networking configuration.
• Familiarity designing complex software development environments including submodules, remote dependencies, and mixed-code deployments.
• Familiarity deploying virtual machines and/or containers into Azure cloud environments including networking configuration.
• Solid analytical abilities, coupled with a strong sense of ownership, urgency, and drive.
• Problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate ambiguous situations.
• Excellence in oral, written, and technical communication with peers and non-technical cohorts.
• Initiative, creativity, reliability, teamwork.
• Strong organization and planning skills.
• Attention to detail while ability to see and understand the big picture.