**Description** Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is actively seeking a driven Systems Engineer to support on-going research and development efforts and develop new business in technologies for functional characterization of WMD facilities and their associated design. Are you a Systems Engineer virtuoso with a passion for engineering the world? Join us as a Principal Engineer and become a key player in characterizing large-scale and small-scale industrial, commercial, and institutional projects. As a critical part of our on-site team, you will work alongside clients, project management, and developers to create high quality deliverables. If you thrive on tackling complex challenges and driving innovation in reverse engineering underground facility construction and functional processes, this is the opportunity you've been waiting for! As a valued member of our team, the candidate will perform: + Innovative Design and Development: + Development of new processes and techniques for the characterization of WMD facilities + Refine processes and improve reverse engineering best practices + Dynamic Project Management: + Spearhead projects from vision to reality, delivering on time and within budget + Collaborate seamlessly with project managers, architects, and contractors + Present compelling project reports and updates to stakeholders + Cutting-Edge System Analysis and Optimization: + Dive deep into engineering analysis to design projects involving multiple disciplines and seeing them through to completion + Advance reverse engineering capabilities + Inspiring Leadership and Development: + Mentor and inspire junior engineers and technicians + Foster a collaborative, innovative, and continuous learning environment + Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies + Work mostly on-site and have extensive interaction with customers, clients, and other contractors **Principal Systems Engineer and Program Manager—Contingent Required Qualifications** + **US Citizenship required** + Due to the work you will perform and interactions with the intelligence community and DoD programs, an **active** **TS/SCI security clearance** is preferred, but a TS security clearance with SCI eligibility is accepted + Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering or similar with 12-15 years of relevant work experience **OR** MS with 10-13 years of relevant work experience + Ability to clearly express in writing technical analysis results + Team player with excellent written and oral communication skills and a proactive attitude + Ability to communicate highly technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences + Some travel to support customer and client meetings + Relocation to Reston, VA **Principal Systems Engineer and Program Manager—Contingent Desired Qualifications** + Master's degree in Systems Engineering or similar + Military or defense-related experience and an understanding of operational planning and functional defeat of hard targets and underground facilities + Background or experience with ITAR and EAR regulations **This offer is contingent upon contract award and in certain cases approval of your qualifications for the position by the Prime contractor and the government agency.** **Who is ARA?** Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 2,000 employee owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. ARA also prides itself, on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice with what happens in the company. We are also very proud of our Women’s Initiative Network (WIN), whose purpose is to motivate, support, and encourage professional career development for women to maximize career and professional accomplishments. To find out more about what the Software Enterprise Division has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/ **Qualifications** **Education** **Required** + Bachelors or better in Systems Engineering **Preferred** + Masters or better in Systems Engineering **Experience** **Required** + 12-15 years: Relevant Work Experience Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)