Systems Engineer (Software)

Role Summary
Lead DO-178C documentation planning, development, and compliance execution for embedded software supporting multi-discipline aerospace and defense training systems. Collaborate with Software Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Quality Assurance, Test, Systems Engineering, and Program Management to ensure rigorous requirements definition, design assurance, verification, traceability, configuration management, and certification readiness in alignment with DO-178C and related aerospace and defense standards.

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Key Responsibilities DO-178C Compliance Leadership

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  Lead the creation, maintenance, and integrity of DO-178C lifecycle data, ensuring completeness, consistency, and audit readiness.
  
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  Define and maintain the overall compliance strategy, including planning artifacts, standards alignment, review gates, and objective evidence collection.
  
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  Own and drive full traceability across:
  
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    High-level requirements
    
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    Low-level requirements
    
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    Design
    
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    Source code
    
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    Verification results
    
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  Establish and enforce documentation quality standards, including formatting, review checklists, objective evidence expectations, and independence criteria where applicable.
  

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Documentation & Lifecycle Data Development

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  Author, review, and maintain DO-178C lifecycle deliverables appropriate to program scope and software level, including:
  
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    Plan for Software Aspects of Certification (PSAC), as applicable
    
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    Software Development Plan (SDP)
    
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    Software Verification Plan (SVP)
    
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    Software Configuration Management Plan (SCMP)
    
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    Software Quality Assurance Plan (SQAP)
    
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    Software requirements and design artifacts (e.g., HRS, SRS, SDD or equivalent)
    
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    Verification procedures, verification results, traceability matrices, and problem reports
    
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    Stage of Involvement (SOI) readiness packages and audit support artifacts
    
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  Coordinate cross-functional reviews with Systems, Software, Test, and Quality teams and drive issue resolution to closure.
  

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Verification & Evidence Readiness

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  Partner with Test and Verification teams to ensure test cases and procedures satisfy DO-178C objectives, including requirements-based testing and applicable structural coverage requirements.
  
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  Ensure tool outputs, logs, reviews, approvals, and verification artifacts are captured, reproducible, and maintained as compliant objective evidence.
  

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Cross-Functional Program Support

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  Support program planning and execution activities, including schedules, risk management, certification milestones, and external stakeholder interactions.
  
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  Participate in technical interchange meetings and audits, presenting compliance status, identified gaps, and closure plans to internal and external reviewers.
  

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Minimum Qualifications

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  Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
  
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  8+ years of experience in systems engineering, software engineering, or a related field.
  
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  Demonstrated experience leading DO-178C documentation and lifecycle data development.
  
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  Strong hands-on background in embedded software development (C/C++ typical; other languages acceptable depending on system architecture).
  
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  Proven ability to manage requirements, traceability, and verification evidence in an auditable, regulated environment.
  
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  Experience working within formal aerospace or defense quality systems, including reviews, configuration control, and change management.
  
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  Excellent technical writing, document configuration discipline, and stakeholder management skills.
  
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  Proficiency with collaboration and development tools (e.g., Git-based repositories, documentation and planning tools).
  
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  Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation, reports, and presentations.
  
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  Ability to interface confidently with engineers, management, program leadership, and customers.
  
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  Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
  
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  Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
  

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Preferred Qualifications

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  Familiarity with DO-330 tool qualification concepts and tool classification rationale.
  
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  Exposure to DO-254 interfaces, including hardware/software partitioning considerations for certification artifacts.
  
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  Experience supporting audits and certification reviews (e.g., SOI-style reviews), including readiness checklists and evidence packaging.
  
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  Prior military service or government contract experience.