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Communication Systems SME

Peraton

McLean, VAFull-time$176–282K/yrPosted 4 days agoStill listed 4 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$176–282K/yr
Location
McLean, VA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

TS/SCI clearance

Job overview

Peraton seeks an experienced Communications Systems SME to provide operational and mission support for a SI/SETA mission in Virginia. The role advises customers on communications requirements and technical development, interfaces with stakeholders and end users, and supports testing, training, and deployment. The SME also leads analysis, planning, project coordination, and teams across communications subject areas, including wireless, RF, networks, and satellite technologies.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Wireless CommunicationsRadio FrequencyNetwork TechnologiesTerrestrial RadioSatellite RadioAircraft CommunicationsMaritime CommunicationsCore NetworksFiber OpticsSatellite CommunicationsWireless TelecommunicationsProblem SolvingProject CoordinationTechnical WritingBriefingCommunicationInterpersonal SkillsInitiativeMultitaskingTeamworkCultural CompetencyClient ManagementCustomer Process KnowledgeLanguage Competency

Qualifications

Active TS/SCI Clearance With PolygraphBachelor's in Relevant Technical Field or Master's10+ Years Relevant Experience2+ Years Engineering Mission Experience2+ Years Regional ExperienceUSPACOM Area Experience or EducationMaster's Degree or Higher

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off
Parental Leave

Full job description

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Responsibilities

Peraton is seeking experienced Communications System SME to join our talented team of technical and business experts providing key operational and mission support to a SI/SETA mission for a customer in Virginia.

The Communications SME will play a crucial role within various subject areas and communications governance process and structure. The ideal Communications SME candidate will possess expertise in Wireless, RF, Network, terrestrial and/or satellite radio technologies.

Our unique team of technical and business disciplines provide operational support for Systems Engineering and Integration, Mission Planning, and Business Operations to multiple functional mission areas. The team is responsible for the technical design, operations, and mission planning and business operations for the full life cycle of customer specific operations (from concept through development and installation/O&M).

In this role, the Communications SME will act as a Technical Advisor/Consultant to critical SI/SETA activities and serve as a primary interface between the Program customers/stakeholders, the technical development team, and end users. They will ensure robust requirements definitions, execution and development processes, solutions as well as support testing/training in advance of the deployment of technical capabilities. They will be expected to support multiple efforts and will assist the customer in making informed decisions related to requirements and developments. They will also assist with the deployment of technical capabilities while serving as a focal point to balance various equities and operational considerations.

The Communications SME will be responsible for the following but not limited to:

  • Provide policy, guidance, and resource advocacy on technical, operational and analysis support.

  • Have a solid understanding within one or more of the following subject areas: aircraft and/or maritime communications, core networks, fiber optics, radio frequency, satellites, wireless telecommunications networks and infrastructure.

  • Analyze extremely complex problems and develop highly innovative solutions while engaging in onsite project coordination with technical leads, advise on impacts and mitigation approaches and solving mission critical challenges and/or issues against pacing threats from foreign entities.

  • Have a strong expertise in drafting, reviewing and briefing, customers and other stake holders, as required.

  • Promote synchronization and synergies across multiple projects.

  • Provides or lead in-depth analyses for translating customer unified capabilities needs into the support and new developments.

  • Directs, designs and develops plans, security, reliability and business continuity plans, integration plans and interoperability plans for the classified customer.

  • Lead and manage project teams and initiatives.

This role requires the candidate to perform duties on-site Mon-Fri. May require up to 25% travel, based on customer needs

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • An active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or any relevant technical field and 12 years of relevant experience; or a masters degree and 10 years of relevant experience.

  • Must have a minimum of 10+ years of experience within the areas of aircraft and/or maritime, core networks, fiber optics, radio frequency, satellites, wireless telecommunications networks and infrastructure for a government customer; or the equivalent combination of education; technical certifications or training; or work experience.

  • A minimum of two (2+) years of experience providing services for an engineering-related mission involving either cyber operations, communications, supply chain expertise, military asset tracking, and/or deep-sea communications support.

  • Must have a minimum of two (2+) cumulative years of regional experience.

  • Must have strong written, communications and interpersonal skills with the ability to prepare and brief complex technical and non-technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

  • Be a self-starter who will take initiative for helping manage key parts of complex technical developments.

  • Possess a desire and ability to work on multiple fast-paced projects and be willing and able to aggressively learn the activities and focus of the organization.

  • Must be comfortable working in a dynamic team environment.

  • Willingness and ability to travel.

  • The ideal candidate must possess demonstrated cultural competency and the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Candidates should also have proven experience and/or relevant education specifically related to working within the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USPACOM) area of responsibility. Familiarity with the unique geopolitical, social, and cultural dynamics of the USPACOM region is essential for successfully performing in this role.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree or higher in a related technical discipline is highly desired.

  • Experience working in customer environment.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of Customer's processes and procedures to minimize the learning curve for project/task navigation.

  • Demonstrated effective client management skills to include experience managing across offices and organizations.

  • Relevant Cultural and language competency is highly desired.

Target Salary Range $176,000 - $282,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Benefits Statement

Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed at https://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits.

Application Statements The application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in the role and the Company. During the review of your application, you may be required to participate in an on-camera interview, as well as participate in a process to verify your identity. EEO EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.

How this job compares

Set against the 2,936 open Systems Engineering jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 3, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$176–282K/yr
  • Virginia median$131–200K/yr186 salary ranges
  • US median$133–208K/yr2,145 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $229K, is 32% above the Virginia median midpoint ($174K) — in the top quarter of Systems Engineering salary ranges in Virginia.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 238 open Systems Engineering jobs in Virginia and 2,936 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Virginia
Experience
This posting asks for at least 10 years of experience; Systems Engineering postings that state a minimum ask for 7 years at the median (2,301 postings).
Education
971 of the 2,936 open Systems Engineering jobs (33%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 3, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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