Systems Engineer Level 3 with Security Clearance

Zachary Piper Solutions is seeking a Model-Based Systems Engineer (MBSE) Level 3 to support advanced aerospace and defense programs within a leading national security organization. You'll join a high-impact Systems Engineering & Integration team driving next-generation autonomous and weapons system development across highly complex, proprietary programs. This role is ideal for engineers who thrive in fast-paced environments and want to contribute directly to mission-critical, cutting-edge systems. This role is fully onsite in St. Louis, Missouri or Seattle, Washington . Candidates must hold an active secret clearance .

Responsibilities Include

• Support cross-functional engineering teams in developing advanced autonomous and complex systems aligned with program milestones and customer expectations.
• Implement and mature Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies within a Digital Engineering ecosystem.
• Develop and maintain system architectures, requirements, and interfaces using tools such as Cameo , MSOSA , and SysML .
• Execute full lifecycle systems engineering activities, including:
• Requirements decomposition & traceability
• System architecture modeling
• Interface definition & management
• Operational and environments analysis
• Specification development
• Trade studies and technical assessments
• Risk identification & mitigation
• Verification, validation, and test planning
• Certification planning & execution
• Support technical reviews, documentation, and customer-facing deliverables.
• Collaborate with SMEs across multiple engineering disciplines to integrate complex system capabilities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of engineering experience with a Bachelor's, 3+ years with a Master's, or relevant experience with a PhD.
• Hands-on experience with MBSE , Cameo/MSOSA , and/or SysML .
• Active Secret Clearance (required prior to start).
• Ability to work 100% onsite in St. Louis or Seattle.

Preferred Skills

• Experience supporting proprietary or classified aerospace/defense programs.
• Background in autonomy, mission systems, or advanced weapons system development.
• Familiarity with Digital Engineering pipelines and model-based lifecycle integration.
• Strong communication skills and comfort working with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Range: $90,000-$160,000 **depending on experience**
• Full Benefits: Cigna Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, PTO, Sick Leave if required by law, and Holidays