Senior Systems Engineer – Precision Timing & Synchronization

Arcfield Overview: Arcfield was purpose-built to relentlessly protect the nation and its allies from today’s national security threats. We have nearly 70 years of proven expertise and excel in space superiority, hypersonic defense and nuclear deterrence, digital transformation, and surface and undersea warfare domains. Our solution areas include space mission engineering, atmospheric science, digital engineering, mission assurance, and advances in modeling and simulation that together with our enterprise-wide adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning, lead to better systems and timely, reliable decision-making. Headquartered in Chantilly, VA with 18 North American offices, Arcfield employs 2,200 engineers, scientists, analysts, IT specialists and other professionals who challenge the status quo to deliver an efficient technological advantage to our national security and defense partners. Responsibilities:

Arcfield is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to provide Systems Engineering Technical Advisor (SETA) support for the integration, installation, testing, and sustainment of mission-critical capabilities across geographically distributed sites.

 

In this role, you will support the technical lifecycle of precision timing and synchronization capabilities, from requirements development and architecture analysis through system integration, site installation, verification, testing, software upgrades, and operational transition. You will work closely with Government stakeholders, developers, integrators, site personnel, and mission partners to ensure fielded solutions meet technical requirements and perform reliably within the broader enterprise architecture.

 

The ideal candidate brings strong systems engineering experience and technical knowledge of timing and synchronization technologies, with the ability to independently evaluate system performance, troubleshoot integration challenges, assess technical risks, and provide actionable recommendations to Government leadership. This position requires an engineer who is equally comfortable conducting detailed technical analysis and representing the Government during integration and test activities.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior systems engineering and technical advisory support for precision timing, synchronization, time distribution, and associated mission capabilities.
• Support requirements development, analysis, decomposition, traceability, and verification, including requirements for timing accuracy, reliability, resiliency, and interoperability.
• Evaluate timing architectures, synchronization protocols, system interfaces, and technical dependencies to identify performance limitations and integration risks.
• Plan and oversee system installation, integration, testing, verification, validation, and site acceptance activities.
• Travel to CONUS and OCONUS Government and contractor locations to support installations, upgrades, testing, integration events, and site verification.
• Assess system performance against technical and operational requirements, identify deficiencies, and troubleshoot complex integration and synchronization issues.
• Support software and hardware upgrades, evaluating impacts to timing performance, system interfaces, dependent capabilities, and mission operations.
• Coordinate with developers, integrators, site personnel, operators, System Program Offices, and other mission partners to resolve technical issues and ensure successful integration.
• Develop and review test plans, procedures, requirements documentation, interface control artifacts, installation plans, and engineering assessments.
• Document field activities through trip reports, test results, site verification findings, action items, and technical recommendations.
• Participate in technical reviews, readiness assessments, engineering boards, and other lifecycle decision forums.
• Track technical issues through resolution and provide independent engineering assessments and recommendations to Government leadership.
• Support the transition of new and upgraded capabilities into operational environments, ensuring technical readiness and compatibility with existing mission systems.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• 12–15 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor’s degree; 10–13 years with a Master’s degree; or 10+ years with a PhD in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM discipline.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• Significant systems engineering experience supporting complex, integrated hardware/software systems, including system architecture, interfaces, and technical performance assessment.
• Experience with system integration, installation, testing, verification, validation, or operational transition.
• Experience developing, analyzing, or verifying technical requirements.
• Technical knowledge of precision timing, network synchronization, time distribution, or related technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex system integration and performance issues.
• Experience developing technical reports, test documentation, engineering assessments, or similar artifacts.
• Ability to work independently and represent Government technical interests during integration and test activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel CONUS and OCONUS as mission requirements dictate.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with Precision Timing and Frequency systems or related technologies.
• Experience supporting distributed mission systems or geographically dispersed operational sites.
• Experience with mission readiness, site acceptance, or operational transition processes.
• Knowledge of Intelligence Community ground systems and mission operations.
• Familiarity with Agile development, DevSecOps, configuration management, and digital engineering practices.

Equal Pay Act: This is the projected compensation range for this position. There are differentiating factors that can impact a final salary/hourly rate, including, but not limited to, Contract Wage Determination, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location (For Remote Opportunities), education and certifications as well as Federal Government Contract Labor categories. In addition, Arcfield invests in its employees beyond just compensation. Arcfield ’s benefits offerings include, dependent upon position, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Retirement and Savings, Learning and Development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections. Min: $146,322.15 Max: $254,245.83 EEO Statement:

We are an equal opportunity employer and federal government contractor. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment as protected by law.