For engineers seeking a career where technical innovation directly impacts national security, the Department of the Navy offers unmatched professional opportunities. Located in the vibrant coastal hub of San Diego, California, a critical opening has emerged for a skilled and visionary Systems Engineer within the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC). This role is positioned within the Sensors Weapons and Launchers, Weapon Systems In-service Engineering Division, specifically supporting the Code E61 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Systems Branch. Operating under the highly flexible Warfare Centers Personnel Demonstration Project within the ND-04 pay band—equivalent to the traditional GS-12 and GS-13 grade levels—this role provides a competitive compensation structure alongside the chance to direct life-cycle engineering and system modernization. If you are an experienced engineer ready to translate your technical acumen into direct readiness support for the United States Navy fleet, this position is your pathway to a meaningful civilian career.

Job Responsibilities

As a Systems Engineer in the RAM Systems Branch, your efforts will span the full spectrum of programmatic, technical, and logistical lifecycles. Rather than working in isolation, you will act as a pivotal technical leader coordinating complex shipboard systems from initial acquisition through ultimate phase-out. Key responsibilities include:

• Programmatic Leadership: Lead diverse teams of engineering, logistics, and technical specialists to establish, update, and execute critical program goals and milestones.
• Technical Solutions and Tasking: Authoritatively assign engineering assignments, deliver technical solutions to emergent fleet system anomalies, and accurately forecast resource allocations, including long-term project budgets and personnel requirements.
• Acquisition Support: Draft, evaluate, and refine fundamental acquisition documents such as Statements of Work (SOW) and Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRL). You will also assess proposed engineering change proposals (ECPs) and shipboard installation updates.
• Fleet Support and Troubleshooting: Oversee hands-on maintenance, diagnostics, modernization, and repair efforts on Rolling Airframe Missile systems directly aboard active Navy vessels.

Comprehensive Requirements

To be considered for this professional engineering position, candidates must demonstrate both an elite educational foundation and targeted professional experience. Because this role demands high-level technical oversight, candidates must meet the strict criteria established by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

1. Educational Foundations

Candidates must hold a professional engineering degree from an institution accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Alternatively, applicants may qualify if their academic transcript includes at least 60 semester hours of physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences, including advanced calculus and physics across at least five of the following engineering areas: statics and dynamics, strength of materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electrical fields and circuits, material science, or other advanced engineering sciences. Applicants with current registrations as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or a Professional Engineer (PE) license are also eligible.

2. Specialized Professional Experience

Candidates must possess at least one continuous year of specialized engineering experience at or equivalent to the ND-03 pay band (which correlates to the GS-9/11 federal grade levels). This experience must clearly illustrate your ability to lead complex technical initiatives, resolve challenging engineering problems on shipboard combat systems, coordinate cross-functional project teams, and confidently brief high-level civilian and military stakeholders.

Salary Overview and the Demonstration Project

The salary for this position is highly competitive, ranging from $102,246 to $158,062 annually. This wide range is made possible by the Warfare Centers Personnel Demonstration Project, which utilizes broad-banded pay scales rather than the rigid step-and-grade structures of the standard General Schedule (GS). Specifically, this position is graded within the ND-04 pay band, encompassing all duties and responsibilities typical of both the GS-12 and GS-13 grade levels. This system offers outstanding flexibility, allowing for performance-based salary adjustments that reward individual contribution and expertise more dynamically than traditional longevity-based federal scales.

Pay Structure Comparison: ND-04 vs. Traditional General Schedule

Feature / Aspect	ND-04 Pay Band (Demonstration Project)	GS-12 / GS-13 (Standard General Schedule)
Salary Range	$102,246 to $158,062 (Includes Locality)	Split across distinct GS-12 and GS-13 pay limits
Salary Progression	Performance-based; broad flexibility within the band	Restricted to fixed, longevity-based step increments
Career Growth	Allows broader assignments without rigid grade barriers	Requires formal promotion actions to move from GS-12 to GS-13
Performance Focus	Directly ties salary increases to annual contribution scores	Ties progression heavily to scheduled time-in-grade milestones

Comprehensive Federal Benefits

Civilian employees with the Department of the Navy enjoy an industry-leading benefits package designed to support long-term personal, financial, and physical well-being. These benefits provide security during your career and peace of mind into retirement:

• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), combining a defined-benefit pension with Social Security and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The TSP functions similarly to a 401(k), featuring immediate agency matching contributions up to 5%.
• Comprehensive Healthcare: Access to a wide array of premium health, dental, and vision insurance options, alongside flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for medical and dependent care.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Accrual of annual leave (vacation time) based on service years, a dedicated sick leave program with no accrual limit, and 11 paid federal holidays annually.
• Work-Life Balance: This position supports telework arrangements and flexible work schedules, enabling employees to successfully balance professional obligations with family life.
• Incentives and Development: Eligible candidates may receive recruitment or relocation incentives to offset moving expenses. Additionally, the Navy funds extensive professional training, certifications, and advanced educational pathways.

Strategic Application Tips

Navigating the federal application process requires meticulous attention to detail. To ensure your package passes initial HR screenings and stands out to the hiring manager, incorporate the following strategies:

• Observe the Page Limit: This vacancy has a strict 2-page limit for resumes. Any information past page two will be discarded, and illegible resumes will be immediately disqualified. Keep your writing dense, impactful, and concise.
• Utilize the USAJOBS Resume Builder: To prevent missing mandatory federal data points, construct your resume using the official online tool. Ensure you include employer names, precise start/end dates (Month/Year), average hours worked per week, and the pay plan/grade level for any past federal experience.
• Document Your Credentials: Do not simply list degrees or professional engineering licenses; upload legible copies of your academic transcripts and PE/EIT/FE certificates directly to your application profile.
• Address Core Competencies: Ensure your descriptive experience bullet points directly reference your background in Electronics Engineering, Systems Engineering, and Systems Testing & Evaluation. Use active verbs and quantify accomplishments where possible.
• Redact PII: Prior to uploading documents like the DD-214 or SF-50, carefully redact sensitive personal identifying information, such as your full Social Security Number and exact date of birth, to protect your privacy.

Serving as a Systems Engineer for the Rolling Airframe Missile Systems Branch in San Diego is more than a job—it is a mission-critical leadership role at the intersection of advanced technology and national defense. By joining the Naval Surface Warfare Center under the flexible ND-04 pay band, you will enjoy premium federal benefits, exceptional salary growth potential, and the pride of knowing your daily work directly protects sailors around the globe. Do not let this short-duration opportunity pass you by. Gather your transcripts, refine your professional resume to two pages, and submit your application today to start your next civilian engineering chapter with the Department of the Navy.