Systems Engineer (mid-level)

Location:  Stafford, Virginia

Date of Availability:  May 2024

Overview: Catalyst Solutions is looking for systems engineers with experience providing acquisition engineering planning and technical analysis support for C5ISR defense acquisition programs, as described in the job performance requirements that follow. This position requires a person who is driven to excel in a fast-paced, dynamic, project-oriented environment collaborating with a team of multi-disciplinary professionals.

Security Clearance Requirement:  Must currently possess a Secret clearance.

Education Requirements: A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or Physical Science is required.

Experience Requirements:  A minimum of 4 years of relevant experience is required.

Specific Performance Requirements:

• Develop documentation that supports the Systems Engineering (SE) Technical Process and Systems Engineering Technical Management Process IAW Department of Defense (DOD) 5000-series Acquisition polices, Department of Navy (DoN) systems engineering policies, Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) Systems Engineering and Technical Review (SETR) Handbook, and other applicable MCSC guidance.
• Develop and facilitate SETR preparation, execution, and closure. Develop, review and update required documentation for all phases of SETR events, to include development/approval of the Technical Review Action Plan (TRAP) and the collection/management of Technical Review Data Package (TRDP) artifacts.
• Provide Systems Engineering and Test & Evaluation (T&E) knowledge, technical guidance, and data input to the program’s IMS development and maintenance activities. This includes detailed tasks in support of key engineering events, documentation development, and communicate expected durations and dependencies to other competency activities in order to support the Program leads cross-functional awareness.
• Provide technical input concerning overall systems engineering, development, and T&E activities and test programs to include providing support to review and make recommendations on systems engineering and test plans, procedures, and test reports, and attending adjudication sessions ensuring final product adequacy.
• Collect and file all required safety documentation for supported systems. Coordinate the staffing of safety documents with the MCSC Safety Office for the Environmental, Safety, and Occupational Health Process.
• Support the Systems Engineering Working Integrated Product Teams (WIPTs) by collaborating with relevant stakeholders to define, develop, and maintain the strategy, plans, and schedule.
• Analyze user requirements; provide inputs into the development of system specification documents.
• Provide recommendations for alignment of requirements and specifications with the applicable Requirements Traceability Matrices (RTM). Update the RTM at required intervals.
• Provide technical support and input regarding applicable Systems Engineering concepts such that Government personnel will be able to incorporate that input into applicable program activities.

General Performance Requirements:

• Understand and apply Systems Engineering best practices in accordance with IEEE 15288.2 – Standard for Technical Reviews and Audits on Defense Programs.
• Assist in coordinating efforts to identify and evaluate technical solutions and system design enhancements to improve overall system capabilities identified by the users’ current operational capabilities documentation.
• Participate in technical planning and the development of technical documentation.
• Assist with the collection, analysis, transformation, dissemination, visualization and development of engineering related programmatic documentation supporting command decisions and briefings.
• Support and attend all applicable Integrated Product team (IPT) meetings, work group (WG) meetings, system demonstrations, test events, and phone conferences to prepare the systems for design, integration, testing, fielding and transition to sustainment, as required.
• Support the development, review, analysis, update, delivery, and management of technical documentation such as: Systems Engineering Plan (SEP), Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP), Performance Specification (P-SPEC), Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM), and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
• Support architecture management IAW the DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF).
• Develop professional technical narratives that accurately convey technical knowledge, ideas, concepts, and understanding for technical or non-technical audiences, as needed. Examples include the development of a Systems Engineering Plan (SEP) or a Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP).
• Review technical content within non-engineering documents such as contracts or program reports. Provide a review summary to the client with recommendations as applicable.
• Assist the Government in the development of test and evaluation (T&E) plans to include identifying the tests to be performed, procedures for T&E execution, and schedule for T&E activities. Perform T&E support in conjunction with Government personnel to ensure developed solutions satisfy performance requirements.
• Perform data collection, analysis, and reporting in support of T&E related efforts.
• Support the implementation of the Risk Management Framework to achieve cyber security objectives.
• Provide observations, analysis, and recommendations in each phase of the Risk Management process.
• Support the implementation of Configuration Management (CM) activities iso the program’s CM Plan.
• Perform market research of new Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) equipment to identify solutions for emerging system performance requirements and to recommend for further Government evaluation.

Professional Requirements:

• Be technically proficient and stay relevant in your work and technical domain through continuous learning.
• Be professional, to include but not limited to courtesy, attire, behavior, speech, tone, and attitude.
• Be productive and responsible with information-based work. Identify, review, develop, collect, organize, synthesize, share, report, and maintain information relevant to assigned tasks.
• Deliver quality products and services that exceed the defined acceptable quality levels (AQLs).
• Communicate effectively to include narrative, correspondence, conversation, and presentations.
• Anticipate work requirements and take the initiative to accomplish them.
• Actively identify ways to help others in our client and corporate community (service orientation).
• Strengthen client relationships and confidence by applying best practices for consulting.
• Work cheerfully, collaborate effectively, and be productive as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• As a Catalyst Solutions team member, represent the company in alignment with corporate values and policies, participate in corporate community, and support corporate objectives.

Skills and Abilities:

• Critical Thinking: Apply logic and reasoning to assess alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches.
• Problem Solving: Identify problems, collect information, develop/evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Time Management: Manage your own time, the time of others, and the expectations of others.
• Exhibit strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to read, synthesize, and apply a high volume of information in a short period of time.
• Ability to adapt and learn something new in a rapid, independent manner.
• Ability to listen to and assimilate with client and team needs.
• Ability to manage multiple, concurrent assignments.
• Ability to learn from constructive feedback in a quality focused environment.
• Ability to manage work/track deadlines.
• Ability to work successfully in both independent and team environments.
• Ability to type/keyboard (40+ words per minute) and take detailed meeting notes.

Tools and Technology:

• Be proficient in the daily use of the following applications and features:
  • MS Project (integrated schedules)
  • MS Excel (data tabulation/organization/presentation, pivot tables, charts)
  • MS Word (formal narrative documentation)
  • MS PowerPoint (slide presentations)
  • MS One Note (meeting minutes and note-taking)
  • MS SharePoint (content sharing, collaborative workspace)
  • MS Teams (communication, virtual meetings, collaborative workspace)
• Ability to rapidly learn and produce work in a new software or web-based tool or application.

Qualifications and Certifications:

• DAWIA Certifications are an asset, especially in Systems Engineering (SE) and Test and Evaluation (T&E).
• Defense Acquisition University (DAU) courses are an asset, especially in the SE and T&E content.