Senior Principal Systems Engineer (Contingent)- Onsite
$132,400–$251,600 year
On-siteAurora, Colorado, United States
Job Summary
Establish and lead the program's systems architecture, technical roadmap, and modernization strategy for the AF DCGS High Band Mission Applications Software Sustainment and Development program. Refine architectures, interfaces, and end-to-end mission data flows while driving consistency across engineering teams. Lead decisions on cloud-native deployment patterns, containerization, orchestration, and cybersecurity controls, ensuring alignment with software, cyber, DevSecOps, and data engineering teams. Own system baselines and define complex acceptance criteria, mission workflows, and operational constraints. Decompose requirements, manage traceability, and oversee integration and verification of distributed, cloud-enabled mission applications. Resolve interface issues, lead working groups, and ensure compliance with cybersecurity and mission assurance requirements. Represent the program in technical reviews and provide direction as the senior engineering authority. Mentor systems engineers, solution architects, and product owners. Occasional CONUS/OCONUS travel up to 25%.
Required Qualifications
- Active and transferable U.S. government issued security clearance
- U.S. citizenship
- Extensive experience in systems engineering: requirements, architecture, interfaces, integration, verification
- Demonstrated experience as a Lead Systems Engineer, Architect, or technical lead for distributed or cloud native systems
- Proven ability to coordinate across complex engineering disciplines and stakeholder groups
- Strong understanding of interface, configuration management, and secure by design principles
- Experience with cloud based or distributed systems, containerization, orchestration, and related technologies
- Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and 10 years prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field and 7 years of experience
- Occasional CONUS/OCONUS travel (up to 25%)
Desired Qualifications
- CompTIA Security+
- Experience with Kubernetes, Docker, managed cloud services, and automated deployment pipelines
- Familiarity with DevSecOps pipelines, automated testing, CI/CD, observability, and monitoring tools
- Knowledge of DoD mission systems, cybersecurity requirements, zero trust principles, and mission assurance methodologies
- Experience leading technical baseline management and architecture for largescale mission systems
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