System Engineer Phd Jobs in Rome, NY (NOW HIRING)

The Systems Engineer (Mission Integrator) provides advanced systems engineering, mission integration, and operational analysis support to the Headquarters Element under an awarded contract. This role enables the synchronization of activities across IPC and SOCPAC by aligning security cooperation, resourcing, operational capabilities, and stakeholder requirements across military and civilian-led initiatives. The incumbent supports the development, integration, and execution of operational plans and contributes to the creation and refinement of a civilian Common Operating Picture (COP) through concept development, operational analysis, modeling and simulation, and systems-level assessment. Working in a consultative and highly collaborative capacity, the Systems Engineer delivers technical and analytical support to senior leaders, planners, and mission partners to improve decision-making, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and enhance operational presence, resilience, and all-domain mission effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Mission Integration & Synchronization

• Enable mission integration across the Headquarters Element to support operational effects and mission objectives.
• Synchronize activities across IPC and SOCPAC, ensuring security cooperation, resourcing, and capability requirements are aligned.
• Integrate military and civilian-led efforts to support unity of effort, planning coherence, and mission execution.
• Advise leadership on systems-level interdependencies, operational impacts, and mission integration risks.

Operational Planning & COP Development

• Lead or support development and refinement of a civilian Common Operating Picture (COP) to improve situational awareness and decision support.
• Support concept of employment (CONEMP/CONOPS) development, mission analysis, and operational planning activities.
• Apply modeling, simulation, wargaming, and analytical methods to evaluate options, risks, and operational effectiveness.
• Translate strategic guidance into actionable plans, technical requirements, and integrated mission support activities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Serve as a liaison among military staffs, interagency partners, coalition stakeholders, and civilian mission partners.
• Participate in and support Joint Planning Groups (JPGs), Operational Planning Teams (OPTs), Working Groups (WGs), boards, bureaus, centers, cells, and working groups (B2C2WG) as required.
• Facilitate collaboration across functional teams to ensure plans, capabilities, and resources are integrated effectively.
• Build trusted working relationships that strengthen coordination, partnership, and mission alignment.

Analysis, Assessment & Reporting

• Conduct operational and systems analysis to identify mission requirements, capability gaps, and integration opportunities.
• Develop technical reports, decision support products, briefings, white papers, and executive-level documentation.
• Assess mission effectiveness and provide recommendations to improve planning, synchronization, and execution.
• Support data-informed decision-making through structured analysis, metrics, and operational assessments.

Process Improvement & Best Practices

• Develop, document, and refine standard operating procedures (SOPs), planning frameworks, and mission integration processes.
• Promote continuous improvement in systems engineering, operational planning, and information-sharing practices.
• Support knowledge management, lessons learned capture, and repeatable mission integration methods.
• Recommend and implement best practices aligned with joint, interagency, and defense mission environments.

• Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, Engineering, Operations Research, Applied Science, Computer Science, National Security Studies, International Affairs, or a related field.
• Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in systems engineering, mission integration, operational planning, defense consulting, or headquarters-level mission support.
• Demonstrated experience supporting joint, interagency, combatant command, service component, or special operations planning environments.
• Experience integrating military and civilian stakeholder requirements into operational or strategic plans.
• Experience with operational analysis, mission assessment, modeling and simulation, or decision-support methodologies.
• Advanced planning education; School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS).
• Knowledge of joint planning constructs, staff processes, and planning forums such as JPGs, OPTs, and WGs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including development of senior leader briefings and technical documentation.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-visibility, mission-oriented environment.
• Active TOP SECRET/SCI eligibility or access strongly preferred, subject to contract requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, Operations Research, National Security Strategy, Defense Analysis, Public Policy, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in operational planning, mission integration, systems engineering, or HQ-level defense support.
• Experience supporting INDOPACOM, SOCPAC, Joint Staff, service component commands, interagency coordination, or theater campaign planning.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods and tools.
• Experience developing or maintaining operational pictures, mission dashboards, COPs, or decision-support environments.
• Experience with wargaming, campaign analysis, force design, capability integration, or experimentation.
• Knowledge of security cooperation, partner integration, and civilian-military coordination in the Indo-Pacific or similar theater environments.
• Experience supporting contract deliverables in a U.S. Government or defense contractor setting.
• Professional certificates such as, INCOSE ASEP or CSEP, PMP, CAP, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher. DoD Acquisition / Systems Engineering credentials (e.g., DAWIA/Back-to-Basics where applicable), Prosci Change Management Certification, ITIL Foundation.

Relevant Professional Military Education (PME) - Preferred

For candidates with military or government planning backgrounds, the following PME is highly desirable:

• Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I or II.
• Command and General Staff College (CGSC) or service equivalent.
• School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), SAASS, or equivalent advanced planning education.
• Service War College or equivalent senior-level PME.