Bring the big picture together at the core of naval air and missile defense. As a Junior Combat Systems Engineer supporting the Navy’s Terminal Defense Systems program office, you will be the connective tissue between complex radars, guided missiles, automated launchers, and warship command-and-control architectures.
We are seeking a qualified Junior Combat Systems Engineer in Arlington, VA. This position is not eligible for hybrid or remote work situations. This is a 100% on-site, in-office position.
Position Description:
Instead of focusing on just one isolated component, you will look across entire multi-element combat weapon suites (such as Aegis and the Ship Self Defense System) to analyze requirements, map out digital architectures, define critical system interfaces, and verify performance through modeling, simulation, and live fleet testing. Working alongside senior systems architects and test directors, you will apply modern engineering methodologies to ensure diverse defensive technologies operate together seamlessly in high-stress, real-world operational environments.
YOU MUST BE ELIGIBLE FOR A DOD SECRET CLEARANCE
Responsibilities and Duties:
- · Combat System Architecture & Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE): Build and maintain digital system-of-systems models using SysML and tools like Cameo/MagicDraw. Map operational requirements down to functional behaviors and software/hardware components, creating integrated digital architectures that demonstrate how terminal defense systems communicate across shipboard combat networks.
- · Interface Definition & Data Flow Modeling: Support the development, review, and integration of system-to-system interfaces and Interface Control Documents (ICDs). Define message protocols, track handoffs, latency bounds, and data structures linking weapons, search radars, and shipboard Command and Control (C2) baselines.
- · System Requirements Analysis & Traceability: Analyze and decompose top-level warfighter needs and threat baselines into clear, testable system and subsystem performance requirements using tools like DOORS. Track requirements traceability across the entire systems development lifecycle to evaluate readiness and identify functional gaps.
- · Fire Control Loop & Engagement Integration: Analyze end-to-end fire control loops from initial target detection, tracking, and combat system designation, to launcher positioning, missile fly-out, and terminal intercept. Review firing policies, weapon scheduling rules, and battle management logic to eliminate response latency and maximize overall probability of kill ().
- · Modeling & Simulation (M&S) Studies: Run and evaluate digital system-level simulations using MATLAB, Python, or specialized defense simulation frameworks. Analyze multi-target engagement runs, sensor fusion performance, and system behavior under complex raid scenarios to inform tactical baselines and engineering trade studies.
- · Test & Evaluation (T&E) and Live Range Support: Participate in end-to-end test planning, execution, and data analysis for land-based integration test sites and live-fire at-sea missile events. Evaluate test scenarios, verify requirement compliance against objective test data, and review post-test system telemetry to validate digital models against real hardware performance.
- · Technical Reviews & Engineering Change Assessments: Review OEM Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), System Engineering Technical Review (SETR) milestone packages, and Technical Data Packages (TDPs). Evaluate how proposed hardware, software, or sensor changes impact overall combat system behavior, backwards compatibility, and fleet interoperability.
Required Qualifications and Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical/STEM discipline (recent college graduates are encouraged to apply
Desired Qualifications:
- Systems & Digital Toolkit: Academic coursework or hands-on project experience with systems modeling concepts (SysML/MBSE, Cameo, MagicDraw), requirements tools (DOORS), or programming/analysis software (MATLAB, Python, Simulink).
- Analytical Mindset: A strong interest in big-picture system integration, network data flows, interface definition, and seeing how individual hardware and software components interact to accomplish complex missions.
- Curiosity & Collaboration: Enthusiasm for learning military combat weapon baselines, participating in cross-functional engineering teams, and turning complex operational problems into structured, verifiable technical solutions.
Travel Requirements:
- Limited travel requirements (<10%)
Compensation:
Compensation at Decision Technologies, Inc. is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience; as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements.
Employee Benefits:
- Competitive Paid Time Off
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical, Dependent Care & Commuter)
- Company paid Short-Term, Long-Term, Life and AD&D Insurance
Decision Technologies, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity that provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.