Research Engineer: Systems Engineering and Software Development

Department: Col of Engineering and Computing

Classification: Research Staff 12-month

Job Category: Research Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The C5I Center at Mason is the nation's first and only civilian university-based center offering a comprehensive academic and research program in Military/National Security applications of information technology and cyber security. The Center's mission is to perform advanced research in defense, intelligence, and security-related applications in IT and Cyber Security, bridging cultural gaps and aligning requirements between government, industry, and academia. It serves as a multi-disciplinary hub connecting faculty and researchers wanting to work on areas related to the Center's mission and be widely recognized as a premier source of knowledge and innovation to military and civilian authorities.

About the Position:

The primary purpose of the position performs systems engineering activities to support digital engineering and digital transformation activities with Model-based Systems Engineering.

*Please note, this is not a 100% remote/virtual position, but is telework friendly. Depending upon your department/office, you may have the ability to telework 1-3 days per week.

Responsibilities:

• Part of a multidisciplinary team developing a next generation Digital Engineering prototype system. Develops and integrates operational ontologies, mathematical algorithms, dynamic and control algorithms, and advanced systems engineering approaches in support of digital engineering and digital transformation;
• Collaboratively completes project tasks; formulates system design, develops and integrates code, tests, and documents system implementation/software code;
• Refines technical requirements, develops prototypes, and performs system level analysis;
• Works within a small team of developers and engineers to design and implement deployable code. Assists in the packaging and delivery of systems engineering and software products to clients; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience building software applications with a focus on Systems Engineering tools;
• Proficiency in systems engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and/or computer science (or equivalent experience);
• Proficiency in mathematical algorithms and coding;
• Must possess the ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team; and
• Must have U.S. citizenship due to the nature of sponsor funding.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in related technical field;
• Previous work experience with vehicle systems, knowledge of military systems, and experience with SysML, MATLAB, Python, ROS2, Issac SIM, WindChill, and/or Omniverse;
• Experience with performance optimization, system sensitivity, and trade-off analysis; and
• Experience with ontologies and mathematical algorithms.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Research Engineer: Systems Engineering and Software Development at Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Posting Open Date: August 28, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: September 24, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

A Force for Innovation in the Heart of Northern Virginia's Technology Corridor

About the College:

The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) at George Mason University is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and education. Ranked nationally in the top 100 in both undergraduate and graduate education, the CEC has more than 11,000 students in fall 2025. The college has 34 undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs including several first-in-the-nation offerings. Of its 326 instructional faculty, 100 are tenured, 64 are tenure-track, 100 are term faculty, and 62 are research faculty. As part of a nationally ranked research university, CEC research teams expended $83.7 million in sponsored research awards in the past year and had projects with over $66.8 million in awards. The college stands out for its leading research in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics engineering, cybersecurity engineering, biomedical imaging and devices, healthcare, autonomous systems, 5G/Next G communications, systems architectures, computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and more. The college encourages and supports multidisciplinary research and provides ample opportunities for faculty to work with other disciplines.

About the University and the Region:

George Mason University is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, with an enrollment of more than 40,000 students studying in over 200 degree programs. Mason is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. It was classified as an R1 research institution in 2016 by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutes of Higher Education. The university has campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William County. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. provides unmatched geographical access to federal agencies and national laboratories. Northern Virginia is also home to one of the largest concentrations of high-tech firms in the nation, providing excellent opportunities for interaction with industry. The region is consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the country and has an outstanding local public school system.

About the Future:

In conjunction with Amazon's decision to establish a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree programs in computing. As a result, George Mason has committed to accelerating its plans to grow its capacity in computing and high-tech fields. Among the university's exciting initiatives are the launch of the Institute for Digital Innovation-a university think tank and incubator to serve the digital economy-and the expansion of Mason Square home to its Arlington facilities. In 2025, Fuse, a new 355,000 square foot building, opened to students, faculty, and research teams. This net-zero facility will house the Institute for Digital Innovation, state-of the-art classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces. It will also include retail space, and leasing opportunities for local businesses. These initiatives reflect hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment by George Mason that will rapidly elevate the university's already leading national position in computing and related areas.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer