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Competitive Range partners with the government to plan and deploy complex, IT-enabled, and mission-essential capabilities. Our goal is to help you develop and expand your professional capabilities while working on challenging, exciting projects in a collaborative, congenial environment.

We are seeking an experienced  Systems Engineer III  to analyze  functional business requirements , develop system architectures, and lead the  design, enhancement, and implementation of mission-critical IT systems  for DoD operations. This role requires extensive experience in  systems engineering, telecommunications, middleware, and IT modernization , ensuring seamless integration of  commercially available IT solutions (COTS)  into defense infrastructure. Key Responsibilities:

Analyze  functional business requirements and design specifications  for defense IT and engineering systems. Identify and resolve complex  system design and performance challenges , implementing new solutions as needed. Participate in the  analysis, design, and implementation  of next-generation IT systems for military applications. Develop system requirements ensuring proper implementation by  architecture and engineering teams . Evaluate and integrate  COTS solutions  to enhance operational efficiency and security. Maintain expertise in  telecommunications concepts, programming languages, operating systems, database/DBMS, and middleware . Collaborate closely with  cybersecurity experts, software engineers, and DoD stakeholders  to ensure compliance and efficiency. Support system  integration, testing, debugging, and performance validation  in secure environments. Ensure adherence to  DoD cybersecurity regulations, risk management frameworks (RMF), and IT governance protocols . Required Qualifications: Active Secret Clearance: TS preferred

Education: Master's Degree or higher with  3 years  of experience OR Bachelor's Degree with  6 years  of relevant experience.

Experience: 6 years  of experience with a  bachelor's degree  OR 3 years  of experience with a  master's degree or higher .

Proficiency in  systems engineering, IT architecture, secure software development, and cybersecurity best practices . Strong understanding of  network systems, database management, middleware integration, and telecommunications . Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working with  classified defense systems and DoD IT projects . Familiarity with  cloud computing solutions for DoD applications (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government) . Knowledge of  DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and secure software development methodologies . Certifications such as  Security+, CISSP, or DoD-approved systems engineering credentials .