Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Colorado
Software Systems Engineer jobs in Colorado concentrate heavily in aerospace and defense, government contracting, and enterprise software, with the Front Range corridor supporting one of the most active markets in the country for this discipline at every level from early-career to principal engineer. Denver, Colorado Springs, and Boulder anchor the bulk of hiring, where established employers like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Ball Aerospace consistently maintain large engineering workforces. The most in-demand specialties right now are embedded systems, systems integration, and model-based systems engineering. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world.
To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Citizen. This position requires an active U.S. Government security clearance, applicants who do not currently hold the required clearance will not be eligible for consideration. Employment for cleared roles is contingent upon verification of clearance status.Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
Please review the job details below.
Position Summary
The Senior Staff Software Systems Engineer - Cybersecurity & Compliance serves as a senior technical authority within Core Mission Systems, helping ensure complex software-intensive mission systems meet applicable cybersecurity and compliance requirements.
Working across engineering, cybersecurity, program, and operational teams, this engineer interprets security requirements, assesses impacts to system architecture and engineering processes, and translates compliance obligations into practical technical solutions. The role supports classified and unclassified environments while helping Core Mission Systems achieve and sustain compliance with frameworks such as NIST and CMMC without compromising mission effectiveness, system resiliency, or engineering velocity.
Success in this role requires strong systems thinking, software architecture expertise, cybersecurity knowledge, technical leadership, and the ability to bridge security requirements with real-world engineering execution.
This position involves regular interaction with internal security organizations, engineering teams, and U.S. Government customers supporting classified and unclassified programs and may require limited travel.
Responsibilities
Serve as the senior technical authority for cybersecurity and compliance across software-intensive mission systems, ensuring engineering solutions align with applicable security and regulatory requirements.
Partner with engineering teams, security organizations, U.S. Government customers, and program leadership to translate compliance requirements into technical direction and engineering priorities.
Lead the integration of cybersecurity and compliance requirements into system architecture, software development, cloud infrastructure, and operational processes.
Assess technical risk, identify compliance gaps, and guide engineering teams in developing practical, sustainable remediation strategies.
Support security assessments, accreditation activities, and continuous compliance efforts while balancing mission performance, schedule, and operational objectives.
Mentor engineers and promote secure systems engineering practices that improve consistency, quality, and collaboration across multiple teams.
Champion the responsible use of AI-assisted engineering to improve compliance analysis, technical documentation, and engineering efficiency while maintaining security and data protection requirements.
AI-Enabled Systems Engineering
Artificial Intelligence is transforming how secure software-intensive systems are engineered. We are seeking engineers who understand that as AI accelerates software development, strong systems engineering and cybersecurity become increasingly important.
Apply AI-assisted techniques to improve compliance analysis, architecture reviews, requirements evaluation, technical documentation, and engineering workflows.
Evaluate AI-generated technical work products using sound engineering judgment and cybersecurity best practices.
Identify opportunities to improve engineering efficiency while maintaining the rigor required for mission-critical and classified environments.
Ensure AI-assisted engineering practices align with organizational policies, customer requirements, and data protection standards.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Demonstrated experience applying systems engineering principles to complex software-intensive systems in regulated or classified environments.
Experience implementing or supporting cybersecurity compliance frameworks such as NIST, CMMC, or comparable government security standards.
Strong understanding of modern software architecture, cloud technologies, cybersecurity principles, and secure software development practices.
Experience translating security and compliance requirements into engineering solutions, system designs, and technical implementation plans.
Active U.S. Government security clearance appropriate for the supported mission environment.
Excellent communication and technical leadership skills with the ability to influence engineering teams, security organizations, and government customers.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, National Security Space, or other regulated government environments.
Experience with Risk Management Framework (RMF), NIST 800 standards (53 and 171), CMMC, or other related security control implementation.
Experience with DevSecOps, secure cloud architectures, or continuous compliance practices.
Experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) or formal systems architecture methods.
Relevant cybersecurity or cloud certifications (for example, CISSP, Security+, or AWS Security Specialty).
What Success Looks Like
Enable Core Mission Systems to achieve and sustain cybersecurity compliance while maintaining engineering agility and mission effectiveness.
Translate complex compliance requirements into clear, actionable engineering solutions.
Identify and resolve security and compliance risks early in the system lifecycle.
Improve collaboration between engineering, cybersecurity, and program teams.
Strengthen the organization's cybersecurity posture through sound systems engineering and technical leadership.
Deliver secure, resilient, and mission-ready capabilities that meet customer expectations.
Pay Transparency: To support pay transparency, Vantor includes salary ranges in all U.S. job postings. Starting pay for this role will fall within the listed range and will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role should not expect to receive compensation at the top of the range. The listed range reflects the expected pay for this position, and final offers will be determined based on each candidate’s experience, expertise, and alignment with the role.
- The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $128,000.00 - $170,000.00 - $187,000.00 annually.
For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.
Benefits: Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life. You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.Vantor.com/careers
Additionally, this position is incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific incentive plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.
The date of posting can be found on Vantor's Career page at the top of each job posting.
To apply, submit your application via Vantor's Career page.
EEO Policy: Vantor is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We believe in fostering an environment where all team members feel respected, valued, and encouraged to share their ideas. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
See All 26 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Colorado
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Where Colorado roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Systems Engineer Job Market in Colorado
A snapshot from current Colorado openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
- Technology & Software
- Marketing & Advertising
What Colorado Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software systems engineer jobs across Colorado.
- Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or closely related field
- Proficiency in systems engineering frameworks such as Model-Based Systems Engineering or SysML
- Experience with requirements management tools like DOORS, Jama, or IBM Rational
- Active or eligible DoD security clearance, often required for Colorado defense and government contracts
- Familiarity with integration, verification, and validation processes across complex hardware-software systems
- Experience with agile or iterative development methods applied to large-scale engineering programs
Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software systems engineer in Colorado?
Most hiring managers in Colorado require at least a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field. No state-issued license is required to work as a software systems engineer in Colorado. Candidates targeting defense and aerospace roles should pursue or be eligible for a DoD security clearance, which is effectively a prerequisite with major Colorado employers. Professional certifications such as INCOSE's Certified Systems Engineering Professional strengthen applications significantly.
How much do software systems engineers make in Colorado?
Software systems engineers in Colorado earn a median of about $138,390 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $96,480 for the lowest 10% to over $213,010 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire software systems engineers in Colorado?
Companies currently hiring software systems engineers in Colorado include Apple, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Colorado's deep concentration of aerospace, defense, and space technology firms means many of these employers run multi-year programs that generate consistent, long-term systems engineering demand.
Which Colorado cities have the most software systems engineer jobs?
Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Littleton lead Colorado for software systems engineer openings. Denver drives volume through its broad base of technology and government contracting firms, Colorado Springs is anchored by major defense installations and contractors like the Space Force and Raytheon, and Boulder's aerospace and research corridor, including Ball Aerospace and several NIST-affiliated organizations, accounts for a strong share of specialized systems roles.
Are there remote software systems engineer jobs in Colorado?
Yes, and more than in many engineering disciplines, though a significant share of Colorado roles require on-site work due to security clearance restrictions and hardware integration responsibilities. About 36% of software systems engineer openings tied to Colorado are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting a genuine split between cleared defense programs and commercial software-oriented systems roles. Model-based design, requirements management, and architecture work are the sub-areas most likely to permit remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a software systems engineer in Colorado with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a systems engineering associate or junior engineer role at one of Colorado's large defense and aerospace primes, which regularly hire new graduates into structured programs. Lockheed Martin Space and Raytheon Intelligence and Space both operate early-career rotational programs based in Colorado. A degree in electrical, computer, or systems engineering is the strongest credential, and candidates who have completed capstone or senior design projects involving requirements definition or system-level testing stand out. Entry from adjacent roles like quality assurance engineer, integration and test engineer, or even a technical program coordinator position is also a well-traveled path into systems engineering at Colorado employers.
Where can I find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in Colorado?
You can find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in Colorado on Migrate Mate, which lists current Colorado openings updated continuously. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level, specialization, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 26 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Colorado
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