Senior Systems Architect

About the Role

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking a Senior Systems Architect to be based out of one of IDT's offices. This person will work with a fast‑paced team of mission‑focused engineers by developing cutting‑edge technology to solve customer problems. Initiative, creativity, reliability, and efficient teamwork will be required to successfully deliver innovative solutions in this dynamic customer space.

The selected Senior Systems Architect will transform customers’ goals and needs into solutions and lead a team in developing, testing, and deploying automated testing and analysis technologies for rapid assessment.

The ideal candidate will have skills in instrumentation and data recording, data analysis, behavior assessment, understanding of Combat Systems, Kill Chains and/or effects chains, and presentation/visualization methods.

All applicants must be able to obtain and maintain an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.

This is an on‑site position requiring at least 4 days in the office, based in Arlington, VA or Mount Laurel, NJ or San Diego, CA.

Department:
Engineering

Employment Type:

Full Time

Location:

Arlington, VA (Remote workable if hybrid)

Compensation: $135,000 - $273,000 per year

• Develop test/data algorithms to reduce instrumentation and data streams to meaningful quantification of system actions, behaviors, and outcomes.
• Evaluate customer/operational needs to define system performance requirements, integrate technical parameters, and assure compatibility of all functional and program interfaces.
• Apply advanced systems/software technologies and principles to develop innovative solutions for in‑service and next‑generation complex software systems.
• Drive interdisciplinary teams to rapidly define, design, develop, integrate, and deploy tactical and test systems.
• Analyze and decompose requirements, review software designs, generate test cases, test procedures, and test plans, and troubleshoot discrepancies to fulfill customer needs.
• Perform analyses to optimize total system of systems and/or system architecture.
• Determine operational feasibility by evaluating analysis, problem definition, requirements, solution development, and proposed solutions.
• Determine SysML model implementation of Systems Engineering designs.
• Communicate directly with customer and users to understand needs and drive cross‑functional technical issues to closure.

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, other STEM field, or equivalent full‑time professional experience.
• 7‑10+ years experience building, testing, and fielding products.
• Ability and interest in converting program requirements into viable technical solutions.
• Mathematical and communication skills to understand what System Users and Testers need to make decisions and do assessments rapidly and accurately.
• Understanding of System Engineering and Software Engineering best practices.
• Experience with test and integration, applying best engineering practices, and developing test methodologies.
• Ability to apply analysis to systems, data, and processes to determine if exhibited behavior is expected.
• Ability to understand system behavior through reading system specifications and requirements.
• Understanding of the activities described by the Systems Engineering V‑Model.
• Ability to work onsite with potential hybrid flexibility.
• Ability to travel approximately 10%.

• Knowledge of modern AESA or DBF radar designs, distributed Kill Chains and Combat System, and management of distributed data for decision‑making.
• Ability to create Agentic AI workflows to accelerate turning data into decisions and rapid trade studies.
• Familiarity with Model Based Systems Engineering/Model Based Software Development using SysML or UML.
• Demonstrated knowledge in related disciplines (e.g., Software Engineering).
• Familiarity with Agile development processes.
• Experience developing or testing large, complex systems.
• Experience implementing algorithms in C++, Python, MATLAB or other languages.
• Systems Engineering experience with system integration, verification,…