Systems Engineer at Peraton
Herndon, VA
$80,000–$128,000from the description
Jul 1, 2026
Herndon, VA
Jul 21, 2026
What this job asks for AI summary
A systems engineering role supporting FAA efforts to modernize the National Airspace System, with work centered on radar, surveillance, and air traffic management technologies. Day-to-day responsibilities span the full engineering lifecycle — requirements, design, integration, verification, and validation — along with trade studies, architecture documentation, and participation in system reviews. Suited to engineers with hands-on experience in complex, integrated hardware/software systems; familiarity with NAS or federal aviation programs is a plus.
Mid level · 5+ years · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · Full-time
“or” means any one of them counts — you don't need all of them.
We read this from the posting text with AI. Skim the description below before ruling yourself out.
Why we read it this way (8)
The role title is 'Systems Engineer' with no level modifier; advertised seniority is Unspecified. The basic qualifications accept a range of degree/experience combinations (e.g., Bachelor's + 5 years, Master's + 3 years, Associate's + 7 years, HS diploma + 9 years), so no single degree is hard-required — the degree requirement is set to None.
The clearance gate is 'ability to obtain/maintain a Public Trust' — this is a suitability determination, not a formal US security clearance level (Confidential/Secret/TS), so the clearance requirement is set to None.
Total years minimum is set to 5 (the lowest stated threshold, paired with a Bachelor's degree). The role's scope — full lifecycle SE, trade studies, mentorship from seniors, participation in reviews — is consistent with a Mid-level contributor rather than Senior.
Most skills in this role are systems engineering disciplines (lifecycle phases, trade studies, architecture documentation) rather than discrete named tools. Only the explicitly named tools (MBSE/SysML/Cameo, DOORS, INCOSE certifications) are captured as skills; the broader SE activities are reflected in the overall years minimum and the role classification.
MBSE, SysML, and Cameo are listed together as interchangeable options under Preferred Qualifications; DOORS is listed alongside them but is a distinct requirements management tool and is emitted separately.
FAA/NAS domain experience, radar/surveillance familiarity, NextGen knowledge, and safety-critical systems experience all appear under Preferred Qualifications and name no discrete tool — they are domain context rather than named technologies and are not emitted as skills.
Primary work location is Herndon, VA (on-site, 100%), with an alternate in Bowie, MD — both fall within the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria CBSA.
Ignored 4 non-technology phrase(s) as skills (responsibilities/concepts, not named tools): systems engineering, requirements development, system design, architecture documentation.
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