Systems Engineer

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad.  Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted. 

The Space and Intelligence Division provides engineering services and analytic support to the Air Force, Space Force, Combatant Commands, the Intelligence Community, and NASA. Our work includes systems engineering and integration, test planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, developing approaches and concepts to meet emerging, high priority National Defense needs, and assessing and developing cutting-edge technologies and capabilities to meet those needs. 

SPA has an immediate need for a Systems Engineer.

As a Systems Engineer  at SPA, you will be assigned to support SSC/SZYO who is tasked with defending the USSF mission systems by further developing software for systems listed below in support of rapid agile development of defensive cyber solutions to protect, defend, and respond to both ground and space-based cyber adversarial threats. The development activities adhere to the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), which offers proven, integrated principles, practices, and competencies to implement lean, agile, and secure Development, Security, and Operations (DevSecOps) at scale. DevSecOps automates the integration of security at every phase of the software development lifecycle, from initial design through integration, testing, deployment, and software delivery. Additionally, the USSF leverages Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) where possible, licensed applications where necessary, and well-documented processes to ensure repeatable software releases.  Development efforts shall result in two deployable defensive cyber solutions to protect, defend, and respond to USSF mission systems as described herein:

1. System One: The first system, called Manticore is an Out-Of-Band (OOB) defensive cyber solution designed to provide enterprise-level cyber “Identify and Detect” capabilities for USSF legacy and future Space Mission Systems. Manticore duplicates data and analyzes the data passively with no ability to impact mission data or mission systems in real time.
2. System Two: The second system, called Kraken is an in-band defensive cyber solution that provides enterprise-level cyber “Protect/Respond” capabilities for USSF legacy and future space mission systems. Ultimately, Kraken allows data and mission systems the real-time ability to demonstrate “active” defense against cyber threats.

Systems Engineers monitors installed hardware and software systems. Assists with network tap design and system survey to ensure data is properly sampled and transported. Evaluates existing systems and assists with technical refreshes. Lead and/or assist with hardware installation and software deployment at mission system sites.The duties associated with this role include but are not limited to the following:

• Work collaboratively with Requirements Owners and the Requirements Community from to synthesize operational needs and author formal requirements to enable Program Office acquisitions and development;
• Reinvigorate the requirements development and analysis process by establishing and leading technical interchanges and working groups with all relevant stakeholders – the objective being to document updated operational requirements to meet mission needs today and into the future;
• Ensure requirements are authored in a measurable and testable fashion, with a clear method for verification;
• Support the translation of these Capability Need Statements into executable technical and performance specifications required for development activities;
• Collaborate with the model-based systems engineering team to ensure requirements are captured and modeled appropriately, including integration with risks/dependencies attributable to each requirement;
• Collaborate with the integrated test team to ensure their test plans and procedures will achieve the desired results based on the intent of each requirement;
• Collaborate with the configuration management team to ensure requirements changes are properly accounted for to avoid unanticipated consequences to the system;
• Manage and monitor installed hardware and software systems;
• Assist with network tap design and system survey to ensure data is properly sampled and transported;
• Evaluate existing systems and assists with technical refreshes;
• Lead and/or assist with hardware installation and software deployment at mission system sites.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 4 years of Systems Engineering experience working in the Space industry focused on requirements definition, analysis, and management
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution
• Your resume must demonstrate experience:
  
  • Working with end-users to define feasible, balanced, and fully integrated requirements
  • Defining systems that meet end-users’ operational mission requirements within specified cost and schedule constraints
  • Generating well-defined and executable requirements, to include documentation, interface controls, and test/verification methods
  • Establishing and maintaining a comprehensive requirements traceability matrix
  • Incorporating design considerations, including constraints, into an iterative requirements analysis process
  • Conducting requirements analysis and trade studies for technical solutions
  • Working in an Agile software development environment
  • Managing software requirements for all phases of the software development life cycle
  • Experience with the following programs: Python, Linux CLI, bash scripting
  • Certifications in CCNA, Security+, CCNP, JNCIS-Sec, JNCDA OR equivalent
  • Active Secret Clearance, with eligibility for a Top Secret  SCI 

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent.  Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.  

SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.  

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.

Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only.  Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.  California/Colorado Pay Transparency Range:  100k - 150k.