Systems Engineer 3 with Security Clearance

Systems Engineer III - MBSE Schriever Space Force Base / Colorado Springs, CO | Salary: $100,000 - $134,595 | Active Secret Clearance Required | 100% Onsite Caribou Thunder is seeking a Systems Engineer III to support a growing portfolio of mission-critical software products and systems supporting missile defense, space, and intelligence missions.

This position will contribute to modeling, simulation, and analysis programs by applying systems engineering principles across the full systems engineering lifecycle, from requirements definition and architecture development through integration, verification, and validation. The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to translate customer needs into mature, traceable system requirements, develop and maintain model-based architectures, and plan formal verification and validation activities.

The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), SysML, Cameo, DOORS, and systems engineering lifecycle methodologies, including the V-model. This is a fully onsite position at Schriever Space Force Base or another designated Colorado Springs location. A Day in the Life - What you'll do

• Define, analyze, document, and manage system requirements, ensuring traceability from stakeholder needs through system architecture, subsystem design, and verification results.
• Translate customer and mission needs into mature, technically sound, and baselined system requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and evaluate system architectures using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and modeling tools.
• Create and maintain SysML-based architecture models within Unified Architecture Framework (UAF), Unified Profile for DoDAF and MODAF (UPDM), or Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) environments.
• Use systems engineering tools such as Cameo Enterprise Architecture and IBM DOORS to support requirements management, architecture development, and technical baseline maintenance.
• Collaborate with software developers, systems engineers, modeling and simulation teams, and other technical stakeholders to develop and integrate system solutions.
• Support system design and development activities to ensure solutions meet established cost, schedule, performance, and mission objectives.
• Plan and coordinate system-level verification and validation activities, including acceptance criteria, performance thresholds, verification methods, and alignment with intended product use.
• Support formal verification and validation processes throughout the systems engineering lifecycle.
• Prepare, review, and maintain technical engineering artifacts, including system specifications, interface definitions, design descriptions, architecture models, and Technical Performance Measures (TPMs).
• Apply systems engineering lifecycle methodologies, including the V-model, to coordinate requirements development, design, integration, and verification activities.
• Conduct technical analyses and support trade studies to evaluate alternative system designs, architectures, and implementation approaches.
• Communicate complex technical concepts, engineering decisions, risks, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical customers.
• Coordinate engineering activities across multidisciplinary teams and support technical reviews and program milestones.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior-level engineers, as appropriate.
• Support Agile development practices and collaborate with software development teams to align systems engineering activities with iterative delivery schedules.
• Travel up to 10% as required to support program and business needs. Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline from an accredited university with 5 years of related experience, or:
• Master's degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of related experience, or
• PhD in a STEM discipline with 1 year of related experience.
• Active, current, and in-scope U.S. Government Secret security clearance at the time of application.
• Experience translating customer and stakeholder needs into mature, baselined system requirements.
• Proficiency with Cameo Enterprise Architecture, IBM DOORS, or other systems engineering and requirements management tools.
• Experience developing and maintaining architecture models using SysML within UAF, UPDM, or DoDAF environments.
• Experience with formal system verification and validation processes.
• Knowledge of systems engineering development lifecycles, including the systems engineering V-model.
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively to technical and non-technical customers.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% to support business requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current, active, in-scope U.S. Government Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
• Master's degree in Systems Engineering.
• Experience with Atlassian tools, including Confluence and Jira.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, and developing junior-level engineers.
• Experience in software development, software architecture, or software-intensive systems engineering.
• Familiarity with missile defense systems, missile defense mission requirements, and programs supporting the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
• Experience conducting engineering trade studies and applying established trade study methodologies.
• Experience working within Agile software development environments.
• Relevant systems engineering certifications, including:
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Graduate Certificate.
• International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) or Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP).
• Object Management Group (OMG) Certified Systems Modeling Professional (OCSMP)
• Model Builder Fundamental. Work Environment This position requires daily onsite attendance at Schriever Space Force Base or a designated Colorado Springs work location. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available. Who is Caribou Thunder? Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners. 35+ states and 20+ countries. We've delivered trusted solutions for over two decades - strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space. Why Caribou Thunder? TEAM THUNDER - Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve. Employee Advocacy Mission Proven Global Reach Skilled Teams Modern Tools Empowering Culture Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier - delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments. We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence - disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions. Employee Advocacy + Benefits Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being - knowing their success drives ours.
• Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with 6% Company Match
• Flexible PTO & Work Schedule
• Education & Certification Reimbursement
• Support for Military Leave
• Work-Life Balance & Traditional Family Values Your future, your flexibility, your well-being - we invest in you. Apply and let's connect.