Systems Engineer II-III

Next Generation Very Large Array System Engineer

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) is an exciting and prestigious research facility that plays a vital role in the study of the universe. The Observatory operates a variety of radio telescopes that span the globe, including the famous Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) in West Virginia, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA).

These telescopes are among the most advanced in the world, allowing astronomers to explore the universe in unprecedented detail.

The Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) is a transformative astronomical observatory designed to deliver science-ready data products to a broad community of users. The Computing and Software System (CSS) is the backbone of this vision, encompassing all the software and hardware required to control the telescope, manage the flow of data, execute processing pipelines, and provide user-facing services. The CSS is decomposed into several major systems, each with a distinct role in the data lifecycle, from observation planning to final data analysis.

The ngVLA project is seeking a highly skilled and experienced system engineer with a software background. The system engineer will collaborate with System Architects and Engineers with domain expertise (subject matter experts) to formalize, capture and manage the evolving sub-system requirements, computing and software sub-system architecture, and sub-system designs. This position extends and implements the project-level systems engineering management plan and software development plan, ensuring that a rigorous design process is followed and deliverables meet project quality standards.

This position will be located at the NRAO facility in Charlottesville (VA).

• Successfully lead all systems engineering tasks for CSS.
• Ensure requirements traceability and process alignment between CSS and the ngVLA project, including tracking the traceability of requirements down to CSS software subsystems within the ngVLA Cameo model.
• Document requirements, elaborate verification and validation (V&V) plans, update CSS design and system architecture, and create other technical documents needed for gate reviews.
• Define and maintain internal and external Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for CSS software subsystems within the ngVLA Cameo model.
• Model system and software subsystem behavior - including activity diagrams and state/mode diagrams - to document functional flows and control logic
• Support the execution of verification and validation (V&V) activities for CSS software subsystems, working with development teams to confirm requirements are met.
• Manage the development of all Systems Engineering plans and documentation for CSS needed for successful system design reviews.
• Utilize Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) techniques - specifically Cameo Systems Modeler, SysML, and Magic Draw - to update and extend the ngVLA Cameo model, document workflows and system models, and maintain interface specifications.
• Prepare technical documentation and presentations for CSS gate reviews and assist in managing subsystem design reviews
• Participate in the systems engineering management processes, including configuration management, baselining, change management and document management processes

The successful candidate will join a team of professionals engaged in research and development in the fields of science, engineering, software development, and education. Work is typically performed in a research or development environment.

• You have a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, physical science, computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, or related field or significant work experience in a similar environment.
• At least five years working as a Systems Engineer in integrated project teams, preferably in scientific R&D environments.
• Incose or similar certification beneficial.
• Demonstrated experience with core systems engineering principles, including requirements capture, verification and validation plans, full project…