Combat Systems Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

MIKEL invests in people and technology – empowering the creative process, building responsive relationships, and propelling innovative solutions from conception to completion for the U.S. Navy. MIKEL is a small woman owned business that has been providing Undersea Warfare Solutions to the Department of Defense since the company’s inception in 1999.

Be a part of our dynamic team whose solutions and services enable the Navy to solve their toughest problems and meet their mission requirements. We have undersea operations experience, combined with engineering and specific subject matter expertise, that provides an in-depth understanding of the problem and a novel, innovative and cost-effective solution. MIKEL is committed to providing an environment that challenges its employees to use and advance their skills and knowledge to provide solutions that exceed customer expectations.

Position: Systems Engineer

Position Summary

Serve as the primary liaison between Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PEO C4I) Program Management Warfare Office 150 (PMW-150), Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC), and the Submarine Force. The Systems Engineer provides operational and technical expertise to ensure Submarine Command and Control (C2) requirements, fleet operational needs, and platform constraints are incorporated throughout the Global Command and Control System – Maritime (GCCS-M) software development lifecycle.

This position bridges the gap between fleet operators, acquisition stakeholders, and software developers to ensure GCCS-M capabilities effectively support submarine mission requirements.

Responsibilities

Full Lifecycle Engineering Support

• Support NIWC in the development, test and evaluation (T&E), integration, deployment, and sustainment of GCCS-M capabilities.
• Provide operational insights regarding submarine employment of GCCS-M throughout the software lifecycle.

Requirements Management

• Analyze, validate, and document submarine fleet operational requirements.
• Ensure submarine requirements and platform constraints are incorporated throughout the GCCS-M development lifecycle.
• Support requirements traceability from operational need through implementation and testing.

Software Development Support

• Identify, document, and brief restrictions and limitations associated with submarine hardware, software, cybersecurity, and communications environments.
• Provide technical recommendations to development teams to ensure compatibility with submarine platforms.

Capability Analysis

• Conduct in-depth capability analyses, operational assessments, gap analyses, and technical evaluations of GCCS-M functionality.
• Develop and present briefings to NUWC, PMW-150, NIWC, and Fleet stakeholders regarding operational impacts, risks, and recommended improvements.

Fleet Engagement

• Coordinate with Fleet operators, waterfront personnel, Type Commander (TYCOM) representatives, and acquisition stakeholders to gather feedback and identify capability gaps.
• Serve as a trusted advisor for submarine operational requirements and Command and Control capabilities.

Subsystem Collaboration

• Serve as the primary Submarine Command and Control Subject Matter Expert (SME) supporting coordination and integration efforts between GCCS-M and submarine combat, navigation, communications, and tactical systems.

Test and Evaluation Support

• Participate in software test planning, execution, and assessment activities to validate GCCS-M functionality within submarine operational environments.
• Support operational test events, fleet assessments, and user evaluations.

Risk Assessment

• Identify operational, technical, and integration risks associated with GCCS-M implementation aboard submarine platforms.
• Develop recommendations and mitigation strategies to address identified risks.

Training Support

• Support the development, modification, and validation of training materials, user guides, and operational procedures to ensure effective submarine employment of GCCS-M capabilities.

Required Experience

• Deep understanding of Submarine Force operational concepts, mission planning, fleet requirements generation, and Command and Control operations.
• Demonstrated expertise in submarine combat systems employment, Tomahawk strike operations, third-party targeting, mission planning, and tactical kill-chain execution.
• Knowledge of Target Motion Analysis (TMA), torpedo employment, tactical data links, and submarine tactical operations.
• Strong technical writing, briefing, communication, and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across operational, technical, engineering, and acquisition communities.

Desired Experience

• Experience with GCCS-M, Common Operational Picture (COP), Common Tactical Picture (CTP) or related Navy C4ISR systems.
• Experience with Windows, Windows Server, and Microsoft Exchange.
• Experience with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), VMware, virtualization technologies, and containerized software environments.
• Experience with Enterprise Network Services (ENS), Host-Based Security System (HBSS), and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
• Experience with PowerShell or other scripting languages and automation tools.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years of operational experience aboard a U.S. Navy submarine as an enlisted Sailor or officer.
• Active Department of Defense Secret security clearance at the time of hire.

Desired Qualifications

• IAT Level II certification (e.g., Security+, CySA+, GSEC, CCNA Security, or equivalent).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Work Location

San Diego, California

Travel Requirements

• Approximately 10% travel.
• Quarterly travel (1–2 weeks) to Newport, Rhode Island.
• Occasional travel (up to 2 weeks per trip) to fleet concentration areas including Bremerton, Washington; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and Guam.

MIKEL offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), 401k Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Paid Time Off (PTO), and Tuition Reimbursement.

Department of Defense Secret Security Clearance or higher is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

MIKEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.