Principal Systems Engineer

The Swift Group

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Annapolis Junction, MD on site Until 9/27/2026 15+ years exp First posted July 29, 2026 Last posted July 29, 2026
Job description
Swift is a privately held, mission-driven and employee-focused services and solutions company headquartered in Reston, VA. Our capabilities include Software Development, Engineering & IT, Data Science, Cyber Enablement, Logistics, and Training. Founded in 2019, Swift supports Civilian, Defense, and Intelligence Community customers across the country and around the globe.

We're looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to work in Laurel, Maryland. The Principal Engineer (PE) will provide oversight to tactical engineering activities to accomplish system goals to include coordinating and participating in design meetings and technical reviews. The PE will support HPC installation and deployment while working as lead system engineer supporting and achieving HPC program goals.

Required Skills: Specialized expertise in logical architecture assessment, quantum algorithm simulation, architecture-aware performance modeling, ISA/compiler analysis, and system-level benchmarking is required to assess algorithms of interest on a functional representation of a target quantum system. This work supports estimation of time to solution and probability of success at the logical architecture level and enables gap analysis between projected system performance and mission requirements. Responsibilities include analyzing and refining functional system models, incorporating the relevant ISA specification, and performing compiler-level analysis to map algorithms onto the architecture. Additional work includes assessing structural code-framework issues and resolving remaining ISA/compiler integration issues needed for realistic simulation. This expertise is needed to generate credible performance estimates, identify capability gaps in proposed architectures and simulation capabilities, connect architectural assumptions to algorithm outcomes, and support mission-informed assessment of system capability.

Level 3 Qualifications:
  • Three (3) years of experience with an agency or HPC development program.
  • Fifteen (15) years of experience in technical roles for Government or industry customer.
  • Ten (10) years of experience as a system engineer supporting programs to develop and field large- scale systems to include expertise in system architecture, requirements analysis, system documentation, system evaluation, and process execution and evaluation.
  • B.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or other related technical discipline from an accredited college or university. May substitute four (4) years relevant experience in lieu of a degree. 

Security Clearance:
  • A current government clearance, background investigation, and polygraph are required.

The Swift Group and Subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class.

Pay Range: $49,996.80 - $290,004.00
Pay ranges are a general guideline and not intended as a guaranteed and/or implied final compensation or salary for this job opening. Determination of official compensation or salary relies on several different factors including, but not limited to: level of position, complexity of job responsibilities, geographic location, work experience, education, certifications, Federal Government contract labor categories, and contract wage rates. 
At The Swift Group and Subsidiaries, you will receive comprehensive benefits including but not limited to: healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, education, and time off benefits. 

About this role

Summary

Lead system engineering for HPC projects, assessing architectures, algorithms, and performance.

Job title

Principal Systems Engineer

Experience level

15+ years

Minimum experience

15+ years exp

Industry

software

Location requirements

On-site in Annapolis Junction, MD, no remote work allowed.

Salary

$50k–$290k

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

logical architecture assessmentquantum algorithm simulationarchitecture-aware performance modelingISA/compiler analysissystem-level benchmarking

Preferred skills

None specified

Specializations

system architecturequantum algorithmsperformance modelingISA analysiscompiler analysis
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Annapolis Junction, MD, USA

On-site City