Who are we?

Independent Software is a consulting, product, and solutions firm dedicated to the practical application of software and system engineering technologies to solve complex problems. We bring together world class engineers with proven engineering best practices, domain expertise, commercial technologies, and proven agile management approaches to create high value solutions aimed at helping our customers meet their most critical business and mission objectives.

Why Independent Software?

We are focused on continual learning and evolution. We don’t do things because “that’s the way we’ve always done things”; we listen to our employees and adapt to the changing marketplace. We look at the big picture and encourage our engineers to get training and certifications in emerging technologies that will help shape our customer’s mission.

We’ve been profitable year after year. We’re always on the lookout for great engineers to join the team and we recognize that our employees are the heart and soul of what we do. We focus on recruiting talented people, treating them right, and then allowing them to do what they do best. No red tape. No micromanagement. Smart people want to work with smart people, and we love people who are passionate about what they do and finding ways to do it better.

Top Reasons to Work at Independent Software:

Great people deserve even better benefits, from comprehensive healthcare coverage and generous leave time to discounts with all our vendors.
You are not just a job title. That's why we tip the work-life balance scale in your favor. It's not about being billable, it's about being valuable.
Whether you're working on-site or in our offices, your role at Independent Software is just as critical to our success as your coworker's.
We're constantly researching and implementing the latest technology, so you've always got the right tools at your disposal.
As we've grown, we've retained that small company feel. When we say we have an open-door policy, we actually mean it.
Independent Software is comprised of wonderfully generous folks. We believe in supporting the causes our employees care about. Bring us an opportunity to help and we'll listen.
Teamwork got us where we are today. Our collaborative environment allows you to maximize your true potential.
The work we do is exciting, critical stuff. No matter your role at Independent Software, you're helping us keep the nation safe and secure.
We have a history of great achievement, and, with each year, our company gets even bigger and better. As we grow, so does the opportunity for our employees.
We host a variety of fun employee and family events throughout the year to say thanks for all that you do to make Independent Software a technology leader as well as a phenomenal place to work.

Benefits:

Competitive salary
Company Sponsored Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance plans
Company Paid Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability and Life Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Your retirement plan is an important benefit you shouldn’t overlook. We offer a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust that offers a powerful way to enhance your long-term financial well-being by investing in yourself. We offer immediate eligibility and company matching.
A generous Paid Time Off and Holiday package
Paid training! We encourage all employees to seek out training opportunities like conferences, certification courses and seminars.
We truly believe the right work-life balance can exist, and it's here at Independent Software. Our work is extremely important, but your job is just a part of who you are. When you enjoy your life outside of our walls, you're at your best the next time you walk through our doors. We do all we can to assure that happens every day.

Independent Software is an Equal Opportunity Employer EOE, M/F/D/V.

System Engineer, Level 3

Annapolis Junction, MD

Full Time

Systems Engineering

Experienced

What You Will Do

As a Systems Engineer, you will apply systems engineering principles across all life cycle phases—Concept, Development, Production, Utilization, Support, and Retirement. You will serve as a technical liaison with government stakeholders and cross-functional teams, ensuring the integrity, quality, and completeness of work across one or more of the 25 process areas defined in ISO/IEC 15288. Your role will include supporting enterprise-level systems, contributing to technical architecture, performing complex analyses, and supporting data-intensive applications involving NiFi, Kafka, and Tier 2-3 troubleshooting.

This position provides the opportunity to influence the design and operation of highly critical national systems. You’ll collaborate with expert teams, leverage industry-leading tools, and support high-visibility missions that demand technical excellence and precision. If you're looking to challenge your systems thinking and broaden your impact, this is the role for you.

Key Responsibilities

Apply systems engineering activities across Technical, Project, Enterprise, and Agreement Process Areas as defined by ISO/IEC 15288.
Support stakeholder requirement definition, architecture design, integration, validation, and verification.
Contribute to system operation, maintenance, and disposal planning.
Perform technical trade studies and analyze engineering alternatives.
Develop and deliver engineering documentation and work products aligned with project milestones.
Collaborate with program teams and government leadership on system design, performance, and risk mitigation.
Provide Tier 2–3 support and assist in data flow troubleshooting and optimization (e.g., NiFi, Kafka).
Recommend and implement configuration, quality, and lifecycle management strategies.
Lead or assist in agreement and enterprise process activities including acquisition, supply, infrastructure, and HR coordination.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Understanding of systems engineering principles aligned with ISO/IEC 15288 process areas.
Experience with data integration, message brokering, and system monitoring tools such as Apache NiFi, Kafka, etc.
Ability to work independently and as part of cross-functional engineering teams.
Strong documentation, communication, and collaboration skills.
Familiarity with lifecycle management, requirements analysis, and risk management.

Education and Experience:
You must meet one of the following education and experience combinations:

Bachelor’s degree in a qualified engineering field or related discipline + six (6) years of systems engineering experience
Master’s degree in a qualified engineering field or related discipline + four (4) years of experience
PhD in a qualified engineering field or related discipline + four (4) years of experience
High school diploma or GED + ten (10) years of general systems engineering experience

Qualified Engineering Fields: Aeronautics, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Nuclear, Software, Systems, or Engineering Management
Related Disciplines: Chemistry, Computer Science, Information Systems, Mathematics, Physics

Clearance Requirement:

Must possess an active TS/SCI with Polygraph security clearance to be considered for this role.

Independent Software is an Equal Opportunity Employer EOE, M/F/D/V.

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