Contract Ignition Developer Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Work Arrangement

This is an onsite position in Tampa, FL, Huntsville , or Northern, VA.

Job Overview

The Systems Engineer 2 supports the development, integration, and sustainment of complex aerospace and defense systems throughout the program lifecycle. This position contributes to defining system architectures, developing and managing requirements, and ensuring technical solutions meet customer, mission, and regulatory objectives.

Essential Functions

• Support the development, decomposition, and documentation pf system and subsystem-level requirements, including specified and derived requirements, in accordance with program and contract objectives.
• Support the full requirements lifecycle, including identification, traceability, verification, validation, and configuration management.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation such as system block diagrams, interface control documents (ICDs), specifications, user manuals, and standard operating procedures.
• Participate in systems engineering planning, including risk management, resource allocation, schedule coordination, and technical performance assessment.
• Apply disciplined systems engineering principles to analyze, plan, and evaluate design, integration, test, and sustainment activities in accordance with established processes and standards (e.g., INCOSE, MIL-STD, AS9100).
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, tools, and controls to ensure consistency and compliance across programs.
• Support ground test, hot-fire, integration, and flight test planning and execution
• Assist with defining propulsion system architectures, including engines, RATO units, ignition systems, fuel delivery, and controls
• Manage propulsion interfaces with airframe, avionics, power, controls, and safety systems
• Support certification, compliance, and range safety requirements as applicable
• Support technical issue resolution across research, development, production, and lifecycle sustainment phases for manned and unmanned aircraft systems or mission-related platforms.
• Support the preparation and review of engineering analyses, technical reports, change proposals, and other supporting documentation for internal and customer delivery.
• Participate in and support technical and programmatic reviews, including Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews (PDR/CDR), Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs), integration meetings, and flight or laboratory test events.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support successful program execution.

Standard Essential Functions

• Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX's cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Qualifications

• Proficient knowledge of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations, maintenance, modification, and research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities across the system lifecycle.
• Working familiarity with MIL-STD-810 (environmental testing) and MIL-STD-461/464 (EMI/EMC and electromagnetic environmental effects) test standards, including application in qualification and verification planning.
• Demonstrated proficiency with configuration management tools such as Jama Connect, Windchill, DOORS, or Git, and a solid understanding of CM principles per MIL-HDBK-61A and AS9100 frameworks.
• Working knowledge of scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash, or Perl) for process automation, data parsing, or test result analysis is desirable but not required.
• Proven ability to plan and prioritize work effectively, manage and prioritize concurrent technical tasks, and make sound, data-driven decisions in a dynamic engineering environment.
• Proficient analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize data into practical, actionable engineering solutions.
• Proficient written and verbal communication

Education / Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Experience

• 3+ years of relevant engineering experience supporting defense, aerospace, or related technical programs.
• Experience with report template scripting (e.g., Jama Velocity templates or equivalent markup) for automating documentation and customizing data exports.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is:

• Constantly required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment
• Frequently required repetitive movements of wrists, hands, and/or fingers

For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the work day, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.

Security Clearance

• Ability to obtain/maintain a Top Secret DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required.