Engineer 2/3 - Systems Engineering Analyst

ABOUT NOVUS CAPSTONE Novus Capstone is a unique company operating at the crossroads of federal research and development institutions, intelligence and national security programs, and private sector entrepreneurialism. Novus Capstone was formed in 2017 as a certified veteran-owned small business to provide focused research and technical services to the federal national security community and its commercial and industry partners. Leveraging many decades of federal and private sector national security technology development experience, Novus Capstone brings its entrepreneurialism and innovative thinking to our partner’s national security programs. POSITION OVERVIEW Novus Capstone is seeking experienced Systems Engineering Analysts to support missile defense and overhead persistent infrared systems development activities on a multi-year contract. This position is a critical part of an engineering team responsible for developing and analyzing specialized combat systems that provide advanced algorithms to improve tracking, prediction, and discrimination capabilities for emerging threats worldwide. This position leverages OPIR and other sensor data to support the software development and analysis of these systems. This position requires a DOD security clearance. TYPICAL DUTIESSystems Analysis & PerformanceConduct end-to-end system performance analysis for missile defense and OPIR-enabled tracking/discrimination algorithms, including sensitivity, latency, timeliness, and accuracy assessments. Develop and maintain measurement frameworks (e.g., ROC/PR curves, confusion matrices, track quality metrics, false alarm rates) to quantify algorithm and system effectiveness under varied threat and background conditions. Perform requirements analysis and decomposition, tracing system/software requirements to test cases and performance metrics; support requirements verification through simulation, analysis, and lab/flight test data.Execute trade studies to evaluate architecture, sensor, and algorithm design options (e.g., detection thresholds, track association strategies, discrimination features, fusion approaches).Modeling, Simulation & ValidationBuild and extend physics-informed models and Monte Carlo simulations to emulate OPIR sensor phenomenology, target signatures, backgrounds, clutter, and kinematics. Design and run closed-loop simulations for tracking and discrimination (including data association, filtering, and prediction), ensuring realistic timing, noise, and scenario variability.Develop verification & validation (V&V) plans, define acceptance criteria, and perform statistical validation of models and algorithms against truth/reference data.Analyze hardware- and software-in-the-loop (HIL/SIL) results; document findings, limitations, and model credibility (assumptions, uncertainties, and sensitivities).Algorithm Development & Analysis Prototype and evaluate detection, tracking, and discrimination algorithms (e.g., matched filtering, adaptive/background modeling, Kalman/UKF/particle filters, gating/JPDA, feature-based classification). Implement multi-sensor/multi-platform data fusion strategies (track-to-track or measurement-level) to improve observability, track continuity, and false-alarm rejection. Optimize algorithms for throughput and robustness (e.g., vectorization, parallelization, numerical stability, precision/recall tuning) and prepare them for transition to production codebases.Missile Defense System (MDS) Integration Apply domain knowledge of the Missile Defense System (MDS) components, interfaces, and CONOPS to ensure analytical fidelity and operational relevance.Author Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and integration test procedures; support integrationevents, discrepancy resolution, and configuration management across baselines.Collaborate with systems, software, and test teams to ensure traceability from operational needs →system requirements → design → verification.Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) FocusLeverage OPIR data (e.g., raw frames, radiometric products, tracks) for algorithm development andsystem analysis; implement radiometric calibration and background modeling.Characterize sensor phenomenology (detector noise, saturation, dynamic range, smear, jitter) and theirimpact on detection, tracking, and discrimination performance.Curate and label datasets; establish data quality checks, metadata standards, and reproducible pipelines for OPIR processing and analysis.Linux-Centric Development & AutomationDevelop and operate analysis pipelines in Linux environments; manage jobs in compute clusters; createBash scripts for automation, reproducibility, and CI workflows. Apply software engineering best practices (version control with Git, code reviews, branching strategies, issue tracking, containerization where applicable).Python / MATLAB Engineering Implement analysis tools and simulations in Python (NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, Matplotlib/Seaborn,Jupyter) or MATLAB (Signal Processing, Statistics, Optimization). Build modular, well-documented libraries for repeatable analyses, including unit tests, configuration management, and data I/O abstractions. Generate technical visualizations and reports (plots, dashboards, notebooks) and communicate insights to both engineering and leadership audiences.Test, Evaluation & Data ExploitationDesign test campaigns and analytical experiments; define Design of Experiments (DoE) to maximize coverage and insight within test constraints. Perform root-cause analysis on anomalies; produce clear recommendations for algorithm tuning, sensorconfiguration, and software updates. Prepare deliverable-quality artifacts: analysis plans, V&V reports, requirements verification matrices(RVMs), configuration baselines, and stakeholder briefings.Security, Compliance & Collaboration Work within classified/unclassified environments, adhering to data handling, OPSEC, and program security requirements.Coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams (systems, software, sensor, test, mission analysis) andprogram stakeholders to align priorities, risks, and schedules.MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (Systems Engineer 3)5 Years with Bachelor's Degree or; 3 Years with Master's Degree or; 0 Years with PhD.Current DoD secret security clearance. System analysis/tool development Experience with performance analysis, requirements verification, simulation, validation, and algorithmsFamiliarity with the Missile Defense System Familiarity with Overhead Persistent InfraredLinux experiencePython or MATLAB experienceADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (System Engineer 4) Minimum requirements for Systems Engineer 39 Years with Bachelor's Degree or; 7 Years with Master's Degree or; 4 Years with PhD.PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS A current active in-scope U.S. Government DoD issued Top Secret security clearance.BENEFITS401(k) 7% direct company contributionUnlimited paid time off (minimum commitment to customer and other funded work must be met)Health insurance monthly premium reimbursementRELOCATION ASSISTANCE YesThis position will be filled in one of two labor categories dependent on years of experience and qualifications. Novus Capstone considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.SALARY RANGE: $120,000-180,000CONTENGENCIES: RESUME APPROVAL BY CUSTOMERNovus Capstone, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Novus Capstone, LLC retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.