Software Systems Engineer

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:On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility:Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary:Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check:Yes

Security Clearance Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Rapid Prototyping Research Center (RPRC) focuses on providing its Department of Defense (DoD) sponsors a unique perspective on rapid prototyping that aligns with Section 804 in the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act. Specifically, rather than developing a new system to satisfy intractable problems on the battlefield, the RPRC integrates new technology into existing infrastructure. This unique approach reduces acquisition costs since the sustainment tail is in place. It also reduces the time to field intractable solutions to the battlefield from 10-14 years to 1-3 years. It assures that the prototype involved is integrated with the latest technology, not dated technology due to lengthy acquisition delivery timelines.

About the Position:

The Software Systems Engineer will have the responsibility for architecting, designing, and developing software application using web technologies, distributed computation and storage frameworks, data collection nodes, and sophisticated, cutting-edge domain analytics. The Software System Engineer will also support the Program Manager to maintain the program schedule, provide input to the program budget, support program planning activities, and deliver contractually required periodic reports and briefs, engineering status reports, and other program documentation.

Responsibilities:

• Design and deploy dynamically scalable, highly available, highly reliable and fault-tolerant systems on advanced computing architectures including cloud computing infrastructure.
• Architect, design, and deploy software applications based on business requirements.
• Guide software development team, create architectural approaches for software design and implementation, including high-level product specifications and design documents.
• Participate in software development processes, providing technical guidance to the development team and supporting quality assurance, version control, and building processes.
• Design and develop software architecture for distributed systems that are a combination of COTS, GOTS, and MOTS hardware, software, and custom developed solutions.
• Lead the development of system software, including application programming interfaces, application databases, algorithms, etc.
• Assist with design reviews.
• Work with quality control teams to optimize testing techniques.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to program teams.
• Track industry trends and maintain knowledge of new technologies to better serve the program's architecture needs.
• Assess new and emerging technologies and utilize that knowledge to improve current deployment, increase scalability and adoption rates.
• Support the Program Manager and Chief Science Officer to maintain the program schedule, provide input to the program budget, support program planning activities, and deliver contractually required periodic reports and briefs, engineering status reports, and other program documentation.
• Continuously evaluate and improve RPRC processes and tools, and provide leadership in the adoption of new network technologies and methodologies.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to RPRC engineering team members and help to build a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with product development lifecycle including design, engineering, prototyping, LRIP, and the deployment of production systems (products).
• Experience with systems operations and functions, to include data analysis/statistics, networking, and data security:
  • Systems of systems, mesh processing, parallel/redundant operations; and
  • Modeling and simulation of large distributed systems.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, including communicating with nontechnical audiences.
• Knowledge in the following technologies:
  • Software Design Methodologies: Object Oriented Design and Analysis, Unified Modeling Language (UML), Agile/Scrum, Waterfall;
  • Programming Languages: C/C++, C#, .NET, Java, Python;
  • Scripting: JavaScript, Shell;
  • Packages: NumPy (Python), BLAS/LAPACK (C/C++);
  • Operating Systems: Unix, Linux, Android, Ubuntu, RTOS, Windows;
  • Cloud-Based Systems and Communications: AWS, Azure, VPN; and
  • Source Control: CVS (SVN), Rational ClearCase, Git.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in related field.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Software Systems Engineer at Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

Posting Open Date: January 5, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: January 16, 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 enrolled a record high of 10,933 students in fall 2023. The college has 34 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs including several first-in-the-nation offerings. Of its 320 full-time faculty, 93 are tenured, 77 are tenure-track, 90 are term faculty, and 60 are research faculty. As part of a nationally ranked research university, CEC research teams expended $65 million in sponsored research awards in the past year and had projects with over $119 million in current and anticipated 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 architecture, computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and more. The college encourages and supports multidisciplinary research and provides ample opportunity 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, Mason has committed to accelerate 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, will open 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 Mason that will rapidly elevate the university's already leading national position in computing and related areas.