System Engineer III

System Engineer III

BELONG. CONNECT. GROW. with K .

Around here, we define the future. We are a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers. But we all share one goal: to improve the world responsibly and safely.

Join us at the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center and help shape the future of Earth science data systems. As part of our mission-driven team, you’ll contribute to projects that make a global impact, supporting research, innovation, and technology that empower scientists and decision-makers worldwide.

K  is seeking a Mid-Level System Engineer in Sioux Falls, SD, to support the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. This is a full‑time, onsite role that requires regular in‑person interaction with team members, scientists, and domestic and international mission partners. This team, in collaboration with NASA and the Landsat project, specializes in remote sensing and provides over fifty years of satellite imagery data to global users and science organizations.

You will lead architecture decisions, mentor engineers, and ensure mission‑critical systems meet stringent reliability and security standards. Your work will shape the future of Earth observation technologies and have global impact.

• Lead design, development, and maintenance of scientific/engineering software systems, ensuring quality and compliance while meeting scope, schedule, and budget constraints
• Define and document system requirements, operational concepts, and integration/test plans
• Analyze customer requirements and translate them into design specifications; create prototypes and validate solutions
• Develop and execute test plans; perform integration, system, and acceptance testing
• Create and manage project schedules to ensure timely delivery of system components and milestones
• Evaluate vendor software and recommend adoption or integration
• Conduct studies to enhance efficiency, reduce cost, and meet evolving requirements
• Plan and coordinate work of engineers; mentor and train team members
• Conduct systems engineering activities in accordance with an established Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP)
• Submit, analyze, and manage configuration change requests in accordance with Configuration Management (CM) processes

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or related field
• 8+ years of progressive, related experience in systems engineering or software development for scientific/engineering applications
• Proven ability to lead complex system design and integration efforts
• Strong understanding of Software Design Life Cycle, configuration management, and quality assurance principles

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• AWS Solutions Architect or similar certification
• Agile software methodology experience
• Experience with hybrid‑cloud architectures and containerization
• Knowledge of image processing, database management, and software development
• Proficiency with tools such as DOORS, Jira, and Confluence Ability to conduct trade studies for technology upgrades, cloud services, and software updates
• Previous experience working with a diverse set of stakeholders, both domestic and international

Three years of continuous residency in the US for issuance of a Government Security credential.

The candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a national agency check and background investigation after hiring to obtain a badge for government facility access and user account.

Experience and/or Education in lieu of these qualifications will be reviewed for applicability to meet these requirements.

K  partners with several other companies to fulfill its requirements as a government contractor. The selected subcontracting companies align their benefits as closely as possible to those above.

K  offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement…