Systems Engineer (Shaw AFB, SC)
Position Summary:
OWT Global is seeking a Systems Engineer to support the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Collaborative Low-Altitude Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Effort (CLUE) with duty at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. While the primary place of performance is Shaw AFB, this position ultimately supports the operational mission needs of the AFCENT Battle lab and broader USCENTCOM requirements.
CLUE is focused on the integration, assessment, and operational employment of technologies designed to address the growing challenges posed by low-altitude unmanned aircraft systems. This effort supports the evaluation and integration of layered capabilities that enhance detection, tracking, identification, situational awareness, and response options for operational users in complex and evolving mission environments.
The selected candidate will provide systems engineering, technical integration, operational support, and coordination across government, contractor, and end-user stakeholders. This role requires a technically capable and mission-focused professional who can help bridge research, prototyping, field integration, and operational employment in support of AFCENT Battle lab experimentation, operational assessment, and USCENTCOM mission priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide systems engineering support for AFRL Collaborative Low-Altitude Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Effort (CLUE) activities conducted at Shaw AFB in support of AFCENT Battle lab and USCENTCOM mission requirements.
- Support the integration, configuration, testing, fielding, and sustainment of systems associated with low-altitude UAS detection, tracking, identification, and mission support.
- Assist with requirements analysis, system performance assessment, and technical evaluation of hardware and software solutions supporting layered air domain awareness and defense objectives.
- Coordinate with AFRL, AFCENT Battle lab, USCENTCOM stakeholders, operators, engineers, and support personnel to ensure mission alignment and technical execution.
- Support troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and corrective action for system issues encountered during operations, experimentation, test events, demonstrations, or fielding activities.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, engineering artifacts, test plans, procedures, SOPs, integration notes, and status reports.
- Participate in technical interchange meetings, design reviews, operational planning sessions, and working groups with government and mission partners.
- Support verification and validation efforts to ensure systems meet user, operational, and mission requirements.
- Provide systems engineering support for AFRL Collaborative Low-Altitude Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Effort (CLUE) activities conducted at Shaw AFB in support of AFCENT Battle lab and USCENTCOM mission requirements.
- Support the integration, configuration, testing, fielding, and sustainment of systems associated with low-altitude UAS detection, tracking, identification, and mission support.
- Assist with requirements analysis, system performance assessment, and technical evaluation of hardware and software solutions supporting layered air domain awareness and defense objectives.
- Coordinate with AFRL, AFCENT Battle lab, USCENTCOM stakeholders, operators, engineers, and support personnel to ensure mission alignment and technical execution.
- Support troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and corrective action for system issues encountered during operations, experimentation, test events, demonstrations, or fielding activities.
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, engineering artifacts, test plans, procedures, SOPs, integration notes, and status reports.
- Participate in technical interchange meetings, design reviews, operational planning sessions, and working groups with government and mission partners.
- Support verification and validation efforts to ensure systems meet user, operational, and mission requirements.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in systems engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in systems engineering, integration, testing, field support, or related DoD mission environments.
- Experience supporting DoD, USAF, AFRL, Combatant Command, or other defense-related engineering or operational programs.
- Strong understanding of systems engineering principles, including requirements development, integration, test, verification, validation, and sustainment.
- Strong understanding of airspace operations, including unmanned aircraft system (UAS) traffic management, airspace deconfliction, and integration of unmanned systems into complex operational environments.
- Experience with technical documentation, engineering analysis, and configuration management practices.
- Ability to troubleshoot technical issues across hardware, software, networks, and integrated systems.
- Strong communication and coordination skills with the ability to work directly with government customers, operators, and mission partners.
- Active Secret clearance required.
- Ability to work on-site at Shaw AFB and travel as mission needs require.
Desired Qualifications
- Prior experience supporting AFRL efforts, AFCENT, USCENTCOM, or operationally focused R&D, experimentation, and integration activities.
- Familiarity with C-UAS, low-altitude air domain awareness, sensors, mission systems integration, data fusion, C5ISR, or related defense technologies.
- Experience supporting system demonstrations, operational assessments, exercises, and field experimentation.
- Prior military experience or experience supporting Air Force operational units, battle labs, or Combatant Command mission sets.
- Experience working in classified and operational environments with multiple stakeholders.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently with limited oversight while also functioning effectively as part of a larger integrated team.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in support of mission timelines.
- Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Mission-first mindset with a strong customer and operator support focus.
- Ability to adapt to evolving mission requirements, operational priorities, and dynamic field conditions.
Work Environment
- Primary duty location is Shaw AFB, South Carolina.
- Work may be performed in office, lab, operational, and field environments.
- Candidate must be able to support occasional extended hours based on mission requirements, test events, exercises, or fielding schedules.
- Occasional travel may be required to support coordination, integration, demonstrations, and operational activities aligned with AFCENT Battle lab and USCENTCOM priorities (Up to 10–25% as required).