Job Description:

Competitive Range partners with the government to plan and deploy complex, IT-enabled, and mission-essential capabilities. Our goal is to help you develop and expand your professional capabilities while working on challenging, exciting projects in a collaborative, congenial environment.

We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer III to analyze functional business requirements , develop system architectures, and lead the design, enhancement, and implementation of mission-critical IT systems for DoD operations. This role requires extensive experience in systems engineering, telecommunications, middleware, and IT modernization , ensuring seamless integration of commercially available IT solutions (COTS) into defense infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyze functional business requirements and design specifications for defense IT and engineering systems.
• Identify and resolve complex system design and performance challenges , implementing new solutions as needed.
• Participate in the analysis, design, and implementation of next-generation IT systems for military applications.
• Develop system requirements ensuring proper implementation by architecture and engineering teams.
• Evaluate and integrate COTS solutions to enhance operational efficiency and security.
• Maintain expertise in telecommunications concepts, programming languages, operating systems, database/DBMS, and middleware.
• Collaborate closely with cybersecurity experts, software engineers, and DoD stakeholders to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Support system integration, testing, debugging, and performance validation in secure environments.
• Ensure adherence to DoD cybersecurity regulations, risk management frameworks (RMF), and IT governance protocols.

Required Qualifications:

• Active Secret Clearance: TS preferred

• Education: * Master's Degree or higher with 3 years of experience OR * Bachelor's Degree with 6 years of relevant experience.

• Experience: * 6 years of experience with a bachelor's degree OR * 3 years of experience with a master's degree or higher.

• Proficiency in systems engineering, IT architecture, secure software development, and cybersecurity best practices.

• Strong understanding of network systems, database management, middleware integration, and telecommunications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with classified defense systems and DoD IT projects.
• Familiarity with cloud computing solutions for DoD applications (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government).
• Knowledge of DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and secure software development methodologies.
• Certifications such as Security+, CISSP, or DoD-approved systems engineering credentials.