Senior Staff Hardware Systems EngineerJob DescriptionThis role focuses on the integration, testing, deployment, sustainment, and lifecycle management of advanced mission systems, with a strong emphasis on the right side of the systems engineering lifecycle. You will serve as a hands-on systems engineer who builds and integrates complex hardware-based systems, develops and executes verification plans, and ensures mission systems are successfully delivered and maintained in operational environments. You will collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, logistics, suppliers, quality assurance, and operations teams to ensure system readiness and mission success, while also helping to shape systems engineering processes on a new, modern defense program.Responsibilities
- Lead system integration, verification, validation, testing, deployment, and sustainment activities for mission-critical systems across the full systems engineering lifecycle.
- Develop detailed test requirements, verification plans, and acceptance criteria, and execute system-level test procedures to validate system performance and compliance.
- Perform hands-on system build activities including rack-and-stack integration, hardware installation, cable management, system initialization, and configuration of complex hardware-based systems.
- Create and maintain technical artifacts such as system architecture diagrams, DoDAF views, topology diagrams, interconnect diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), and technical specifications.
- Troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues, perform root cause analysis, and drive corrective and preventive actions to improve system reliability and performance.
- Maintain hardware and software baselines within a formal Configuration Management (CM) environment and support engineering change processes including ECR, ERB, and CCB activities.
- Support hardware lifecycle management activities including technology refresh, logistics coordination, inventory tracking, and return material authorization (RMA) processes.
- Coordinate with customers, suppliers, and internal engineering teams to plan and support system deployments, field installations, testing events, and transitions into operational use.
- Support and participate in design activities such as requirements development, concepts of operations (CONOPS), and design reviews (PDR, CDR) to ensure testability, deployability, and sustainment considerations are incorporated.
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, including the application of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and SysML where appropriate.
- Support and, when needed, lead factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and operational test events for deployed systems.
- Assist with platform integration activities, including SWaP-related considerations, interconnect design, and integration of RF, DSP, signal processing, and satellite communication components.
- Provide on-site and remote support for deployed systems in field or operational environments, including troubleshooting and sustaining activities.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between system design, integration, logistics, and operational needs, driving continuous improvement across deployed systems.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- At least 5 years of experience in systems engineering, integration, test, or deployment supporting complex technical programs.
- Proven experience supporting system integration, verification, validation, and deployment activities for complex systems.
- Demonstrated experience creating and executing test procedures and verification plans for hardware and software systems.
- Hands-on experience building, integrating, and troubleshooting hardware-based systems in a lab or field environment.
- Experience with rack-and-stack installations, including hardware mounting, cable management, and system build activities.
- Experience generating system architecture artifacts such as topology diagrams, interconnect diagrams, and technical documentation.
- Experience working within a formal Configuration Management (CM) environment, including maintaining hardware and software baselines.
- Experience supporting engineering change processes and managing technical baselines.
- Active Secret Security Clearance.
- Ability to travel approximately 15% to support CONUS and OCONUS activities.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Master's degree in a related technical discipline.
- Experience supporting SATCOM, tactical communications, networking, or mission systems.
- Experience with DoDAF architecture products and system architecture development.
- Experience supporting factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and operational test events.
- Experience supporting deployed systems in field or operational environments.
- Experience with SWaP analysis and platform integration activities.
- Familiarity with engineering change processes including ECR, ERB, and CCB.
- Experience with logistics, supply chain management, inventory management, or RMA processes.
- Familiarity with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and configuration management systems.
- Experience supporting government, defense, aerospace, or national security programs.
- Exposure to or interest in model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and SysML.
- Background or familiarity with DSP, signal processing, RF, radio frequency systems, and satellite-related technologies.
- Experience contributing to or supporting design activities such as requirements development, CONOPS, and design reviews (PDR, CDR).
- Interest in growing into or performing a lead systems engineer role, including shaping systems engineering processes on new programs.
Work EnvironmentThis position follows a hybrid work model, with two days per week on site in Warrenton, VA, after an initial training period of approximately one to two months during which you will be on site full-time. The role is based in a modern technology park environment that includes nearby amenities such as a brewery, winery, and fitness facilities, contributing to a collaborative and relaxed campus feel. You will work in an open office setting with laptops and access to personal devices, rather than a traditional secure compartmented facility, which helps the work feel more like a commercial technology project while still supporting a defense mission. The team uses open-source modern technologies and is building a new system early in its architecture, providing opportunities to influence processes, tools, and technical approaches. The broader team consists of more than 90 professionals, offering a supportive and collaborative culture with opportunities to lead or grow into a lead systems engineer role. Work is mission-focused, with a strong connection to real-world operational outcomes, and the organization emphasizes paying for hours actually worked, offering flexibility and transparency in how work time is recognized. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Warrenton, VA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $55.00 - $98.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Warrenton, VA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a hybrid position in Warrenton,VA.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
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