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SR Systems Engineer

Zel Technologies

Dahlgren, VAFull-time$110–140K/yrSeen 1mo agoSeen in employer's feed 2 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$110–140K/yr
Location
Dahlgren, VA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

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

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Secret clearance

Job overview

The Senior Systems Engineer provides technical expertise in research, design, development, integration, and evaluation of complex DoD systems. The role supports full-lifecycle systems engineering, including requirements development, architecture, system design, test planning, and technical documentation. It focuses on DoD and weapon or launcher systems, and leads technical efforts and supports engineering events. The position is contingent upon contract award.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

DoD Systems ArchitectureRequirements DevelopmentSystem DesignSystems ImplementationSystems Engineering ToolsRequirements ManagementCORERhapsodyMagicDrawDOORSRequisite ProOPNETNETWARSCaliberRMExecutable UMLTechnical DocumentationTechnical ReportingTechnical Position DevelopmentRecommendationsSystems ManagementSystems Engineering ProcessesRisk ManagementRequirements TraceabilityRequirements VerificationWeapon Systems EngineeringSurface Launching SystemsReliability EngineeringSystem ArchitectureInterface DiagramsTest MatricesCONOPSAnalytical SkillsProblem-SolvingWritten CommunicationVerbal CommunicationIndependent WorkTechnical Team LeadershipDoD Acquisition Processes

Qualifications

US CitizenshipActive Secret Clearance10 Years DoD Systems Experience or Bachelor's in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or Technical Discipline Plus 6 Years Relevant Experience5 Years Concurrent Experience5 Years Systems Engineering Tools Experience10 Years Professional Technical Experience5 Years Specialized ExperienceSuccessful Background and Drug Screening

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Match
Tuition Assistance
Paid Time Off

Full job description

Full Time

45

Dahlgren, VA, Dahlgren, VA, US

Requisition ID: 2122

Salary Range: $110,000.00 To $140,000.00 Annually

  • This position is contingent upon contract award. *

  • This position is eligible for a $500 ZelTech Non-Employee Referral fee. Contact ZelTech Recruiters ([email protected]) for questions concerning this matter. *

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Job Summary:

The Senior Systems Engineer will provide advanced technical expertise in the research, design, development, integration, and evaluation of complex Department of Defense (DoD) systems. This role supports full lifecycle systems engineering activities, including requirements development, architecture generation, system design, test planning, and technical documentation. The position requires deep experience with DoD systems, weapon and launcher systems, and systems engineering tools, along with the ability to lead technical efforts and support major engineering events.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead systems engineering activities from concept development through test and evaluation.

  • Develop and maintain system architecture, requirements, interface definitions, and engineering documentation.

  • Produce DoDAF-compliant architecture products, including Operational Views (OVs) and Operational Sequence Diagrams (OSDs).

  • Support integration and testing of complex systems, including weapons, missiles, launchers, or weapon control subsystems.

  • Conduct trade studies, risk assessments, and technical analyses to support program decisions.

  • Prepare and deliver technical reports, briefings, Systems Engineering Plans (SEPs), Technical Data Packages (TDPs), and other engineering artifacts.

  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, program managers, and government stakeholders.

  • Provide technical input for formal systems engineering events, reviews, and audits.

Requirements:

  • Must be a US citizen.

  • Must have an active secret security clearance.

  • Ten (10) years of experience in DoD systems architectures, research, design, development, and test and evaluation; OR a bachelor’s degree in engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or another technical discipline and six (6) years of relevant DoD systems engineering experience.

  • Five (5) years of concurrent experience in requirements development, system design, and implementation of systems emphasizing portability, scalability, and interoperability.

  • Five (5) years of experience with systems engineering and requirements management tools such as CORE, Rhapsody, MagicDraw, DOORS, Requisite Pro, OPNET, NETWARS, CaliberRM, or executable UML.

  • Demonstrated ability to produce strategic plans, TDPs, system specifications, design requirements, SEPs, test and evaluation planning documents, and other engineering documentation.

  • Demonstrated ability to develop and defend technical positions, justify recommendations, and write detailed technical reports.

  • Ten (10) years of professional technical experience including five (5) years of specialized experience in maritime, launcher, missile, weapon, or weapon control systems concept definition, design, integration, and engineering.

  • Experience in systems management, systems engineering design, use of systems engineering software tools, and application of systems engineering processes.

  • Engineering experience in requirements development, risk management, and requirements traceability and verification for weapon systems (missiles, launchers, or weapon control systems).

  • Engineering experience in the design, development, and testing of surface launching system components with emphasis on reliability.

  • Experience generating system architectures, system requirements, interface diagrams, test matrices, and Concepts of Operations (CONOPS).

  • Successful background and drug screening check.

Preferred Requirements:

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.

  • Ability to work independently and lead technical teams.

  • Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, documentation standards, and lifecycle management.

Physical Demands or Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • The majority of the time is spent in an office setting.

  • Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

  • Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance, vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

About ZelTech:

Founded in 1988 by Ret. Col. Jack L. Ezzell Jr., Zel Technologies is a trusted leader in national security, providing comprehensive research, development, engineering, and operational support to the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and federal agencies. Originally focused on leveraging operational and software expertise to improve time-critical targeting capabilities for the military, the company advanced its capabilities to provide scientific and HUMINT expertise for CBRNE collection and analysis. In the wake of 9/11, Zel Technologies rapidly expanded its capabilities to provide turnkey ISR support services to US Special Operations Forces (SOF), as well as advanced technical & operational intelligence, physical & data science, and engineering support services to the greater Intelligence and SOF Communities supporting global counterterrorism and CWMD operations.

Today, Zel Technologies remains at the forefront of intelligence missions, advancing CWMD and global counterterrorism efforts, while also addressing emerging threats posed by near-peer adversaries. Our team remains committed to delivering adaptive, innovative, and cost-effective solutions across multiple domains, in alignment with the mission priorities of the U.S. Government and its partner nations.

Our Mission:

Through our commitment to innovation and quality, our skilled teams deliver robust, technology driven solutions and insights that empower our customers to overcome complex challenges and achieve their mission objectives.

Our Workforce:

ZelTech team members represent a wide range of backgrounds, skills, experience, and personalities bound together by common objectives and mutual respect. You will join a caring community of professional, including many military veterans (https://www.zeltech.com/veterans/) who challenge and support each other in seeking the right solutions to important matters.

Benefits:

  • Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

  • 401k immediate vesting with company match

  • Flexible Spending Accounts

  • Health Savings Account with company contributions

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

  • Bonuses for performance

  • Voluntary life/accidental death & dismemberment

  • Educational assistance and special training programs

  • Voluntary benefits (accidental, critical illness, whole life)

  • Group life insurance (Company paid)

  • Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance (Company paid)

  • Paid Time Off (PTO), Holiday Leave, Jury Duty, and Military Leave

  • Health and fitness reimbursement

  • Referral bonuses

  • Employee discounts on various services and products

Equal Opportunities:

ZelTech is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, military status, genetic predisposition, or any other basis protected by law.

How this job compares

Set against the 11,758 open Systems Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 9, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$110–140K/yr
  • Virginia median$120–182K/yr856 salary ranges
  • US median$115–190K/yr8,809 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $125K, is 17% below the Virginia median midpoint ($152K) — in the middle half of Systems Engineer salary ranges in Virginia.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 1,092 open Systems Engineer jobs in Virginia and 11,758 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 — more than three in four Systems Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 9,686 postings).
Education
4,372 of the 11,758 open Systems Engineer jobs (37%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 9, 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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