Independent Software

System Engineer, Level 3

Systems Engineering - Annapolis Junction, MD - Part Time

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.

Apply: System Engineer, Level 3
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