Systems Engineer - Optical Level 3/4

This is a Systems Engineer role focused on Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) tracking systems for a defense/space program — it does not map cleanly to any single SOC code in the computer/mathematical occupations list. 15-1299 (Computer Occupations, All Other) is used as the closest available code; 15-1211 (Computer Systems Analysts) is noted as a runner-up given the systems analysis and requirements management emphasis.

The posting covers two levels simultaneously: Level 3 (Principal, $98,400–$147,600, BS+5 yrs or MS+3 yrs) and Level 4 (Sr. Principal, $122,800–$184,200, BS+8 yrs or MS+6 yrs). The compensation range shown reflects Level 3 as the primary/lower band; the secondary range ($122,800–$184,200) is for Level 4.

Clearance: the JD states candidates must have the *ability to obtain* a DoD Secret clearance (not an active clearance at start). An active Secret or higher is listed under Preferred Qualifications. The clearance gate is therefore set to Secret (ability to obtain), consistent with the posting's 'CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No' header.

U.S. Citizenship is explicitly required as a hard gate.

The skills list is limited to concrete, domain-specific technical capabilities. Generic systems engineering activities (requirements management, verification, design review execution) appear only under Preferred Qualifications and are marked accordingly. Soft skills and general engineering methodologies are omitted per extraction rules.

Ignored 4 non-technology phrase(s) as skills (responsibilities/concepts, not named tools): line-of-sight analysis, EO/IR error budget analysis, requirements management, design review execution.

Requires a Secret clearance — the cleared population is a small fraction of this occupation, so the real candidate pool is materially smaller than the estimate below, which does not model clearance.