Zel Technologies logo

Sr Computer Systems/SW Systems Engineer

Zel Technologies

Dahlgren, VAFull-time$100–150K/yrSeen 1mo agoSeen in employer's feed 2 days ago

Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.

You apply on the employer's site, with no Olive account needed.

Watch jobs like this.

Don't just apply. Show up ready.

Olive works from this exact posting.

At a glance

Compensation
$100–150K/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 clearanceBachelor's degree

Job overview

The Senior Computer Systems/Software Engineer supports the design, development, integration, and testing of complex hardware–software systems for Department of Defense and Navy programs. The role spans system development, requirements management, integration, and missile-related interface engineering, including RealTime VxWorks SMP software and interfaces for Standard Missile and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile systems. The position is contingent upon contract award.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Computer Hardware EngineeringEmbedded Systems DesignSoftware DesignCodingCompilationRequirements ManagementSystems IntegrationSystems Engineering ToolsIntegrated Systems EngineeringWeapons SystemsNavy ProgramsHTMLCC++UnixLinuxRealTime VxWorks SMPMissile Internal InterfacesStandard Missile or ESSM ProgramsAnalytical SkillsProblem-SolvingWritten CommunicationVerbal CommunicationLifting 25 Pounds

Qualifications

US CitizenshipActive Secret Security ClearanceBachelor's in Engineering, Science, or Technical Discipline10 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

46

Dahlgren, VA, Dahlgren, VA, US

Requisition ID: 2121

Salary Range: $100,000.00 To $150,000.00 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. *

Join Our Talent Community to Stay Connected!

Job Summary:

The Senior Computer Systems/Software Engineer will support the design, development, integration, and testing of complex hardware–software systems for Department of Defense (DoD) and Navy programs. This role requires extensive experience in computer hardware engineering, software development, Realtime systems, and integrated system architectures. The engineer will work across the full life cycle of system development, contributing to requirements management, system integration, and advanced missile related interface engineering.

Responsibilities:

  • Perform computer hardware engineering, software design, coding, and compilation activities for integrated systems.

  • Manage and define computer and software requirements, ensuring traceability and compliance across the system lifecycle.

  • Integrate hardware and software components into complex systems, including weapon and missile subsystems.

  • Utilize systems engineering software tools to support design, modeling, analysis, and documentation.

  • Engineer systems that incorporate tightly integrated hardware and software solutions.

  • Support Navy and weapon system programs through software development, testing, and interface engineering.

  • Develop and maintain software for RealTime VxWorks Symmetric Multi-Processing (SMP) environments.

  • Contribute to hardware and software development for Standard Missile (SM2, SM3, SM6) and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) internal interfaces.

  • Work with specialized missile interfaces such as SM3 Kill Warhead Data Link (KWDL), SM3 Missile Test Data (MTD), SM2/SM6 initialization message digital interfaces, and vertical launch system interfaces.

  • Prepare technical reports, analyses, and documentation to support engineering reviews and technical decision-making.

Requirements:

  • Must be a US citizen.

  • Must have an active secret security clearance .

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an engineering, scientific, or technical discipline.

  • Ten (10) years of professional technical experience, including at least five (5) years of specialized experience in:

  • Computer hardware engineering, embedded systems design experience.

  • Software design, coding, and compilation.

  • Computer or software requirements management.

  • Computer systems or software integration.

  • Use of systems engineering software tools.

  • Demonstrated ability to engineer complex systems with integrated hardware and software solutions.

  • Experience related to weapons systems or Navy programs.

  • Experience with HTML, C, C++, Unix, and Linux environments.

  • Specialized experience developing RealTime VxWorks SMP software.

  • Expertise in hardware and software development for missile internal interfaces, including:

  • SM3 Kill Warhead Data Link (KWDL)

  • SM3 Missile Test Data (MTD)

  • SM2/SM6 initialization message digital interface

  • Vertical launch system interfaces

  • Successful background and drug screening check.

Preferred Requirements:

  • Experience supporting Standard Missile (SM) or ESSM programs.

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

  • Effective written and verbal communication abilities.

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$100–150K/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
This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 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.

Prepare for this role

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.