SYSTEMS ENGINEER
Customs and Border Protection — Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Job description
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters (USBP-HQ), Program Management Operations Directorate (PMOD), located in Washington, D.C.
Duties:
In this position, you will develop or oversee engineering projects, initiatives, and policies that support the CBP Office of Acquisition and the broader acquisition workforce. Your work directly impacts CBP's mission by providing authoritative systems engineering analysis, recommendations, and policy support that shape major system acquisitions and affect mission accomplishment across the Component. This position starts at a salary of $143,913.00 (GS-14, Step 1) to $187,093.00 (GS-14, Step 10). As a Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for providing systems engineering oversight, technical guidance, and policy support for CBP acquisition programs across the systems engineering life cycle. Typical duties will include: Providing systems engineering oversight of CBP acquisition programs to ensure technical viability and compliance with DHS and CBP policies and procedures. Advising officials, program managers, and acquisition workforce personnel on systems engineering processes, including requirements, design, interoperability, test and evaluation, risk management, configuration management, cybersecurity, and lifecycle logistics. Reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating systems engineering plans, reports, and program documentation, and providing recommendations to program officials and senior acquisition leaders. Developing and recommending changes to CBP systems engineering policies, procedures, guidelines, and directives. Representing CBP and the Office of Acquisition in coordination with DHS components, other government entities, and industry on systems engineering matters.
Location: Washington, District of Columbia
Education:
Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.
How you will be evaluated:
This position is being filled under a Direct Hire Authority. We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. All applicants who meet minimum qualifications and any basic requirements applicable to this position, will be forwarded to the hiring manager for consideration and may be contacted for an interview. As a part of the interview process, additional selection criteria may be administered by the hiring manager. The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are: Knowledge of Modeling and Simulation, Digital Engineering, Model Based Systems Engineering, Cyber Security, Risk Management, Configuration Management, Analysis of Alternatives Processes and/or Systems Architecture. Ability to communicate orally and in writing to represent the Acquisition Workforce and provide full technical authority. Knowledge of processes and procedures and the principles of technical systems sufficient to formulate, develop, and administer major Component-wide Systems Engineering practices. Ability to review, approve, and document requirements of the Systems Engineering and acquisition processes, and to formulate acquisition program goals, plans, and evaluation metrics. Veterans: Veterans preference does not apply to selections made using the Direct Hire Authority. Veteran applicants will be considered along with all other applicants who apply. Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, you must have knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as defined above which clearly exceed the minimum qualification and any applicable basic requirements for the vacancy. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this job announcement.
Other information:
Security Clearance: You will be required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance for this position. Required Certification: This is a DHS acquisition certification-covered position. The incumbent must possess a DHS Level III certification in Systems Engineering (SE) or Test & Evaluation (T&E) within 24 months of placement. Desired Certification: A secondary certification in Program Management, Systems Engineering, Test and Evaluation, or Life Cycle Logistics is highly desired, although not required. Work Environment: The work is usually performed in an office setting. There may be occasional travel to field offices and contractor facilities, including occasional outside work, as necessary, to perform assigned duties. The vacancy questionnaire includes four short, free-response essay questions. This provides an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13047223 The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
How to apply:
To begin your online application, click "Apply Online" to create a USAJOBS account and follow the prompts or log in to your existing account. Your application packet must include a completed assessment questionnaire, a resume, and any applicable and/or required supporting documentation. Please see the "Required Documents" section for additional information. All application materials, including transcripts, must be in English. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. The address below is for inquiries only. You may apply more than once, but the most recent application is the only one that will be used. You must submit your resume, your online questionnaire, and any supporting documents by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 09/04/2026. It is your responsibility to verify that any information entered or uploaded is received and is accurate. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application. Determining your eligibility and qualifications is dependent on the supporting documentation and information provided, which may impact your referral for further consideration. If a document is not legible, you will not be able to view it in your application and you must again upload it by the closing date Please upload your resume under the "Resume" document type. Any other relevant supporting documents should be uploaded under their appropriate document types as mentioned above. Only resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Applicants with resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Do not submit documents as a PDF Portfolios. You may submit a curriculum vitae (CV) and attach in the "other document" option. DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include: flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. After CBP completes its hiring, the resumes of the remaining candidates referred for selection consideration may be shared with other DHS Components and other federal agencies. During the application process, you may choose to opt-in if you would like your name, application material, and assessment results to be shared. There is no guarantee of further consideration, and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to hc-recordsmgmt@cbp.dhs.gov. View common definitions of terms in this announcement.