Systems Engineer Sr Principal – Chief Systems Engineer - Sign On Bonus

Job Description Minimum $10,000 Sign on Bonus being offered for external hires.

BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems (SMS) is seeking a Chief Systems Engineer to provide program-level systems engineering leadership for advanced technological system development. This role is responsible for ensuring alignment between mission needs, system architecture, and subsystem performance while guiding the program through design, integration, and validation.

This position is for an experienced individual who can work in and lead a multi-disciplinary team through every stage of program’s lifecycle to develop, maintain, verify and communicate the technical baseline for a Mission-scoped program that includes Segment, Element. and/or Subsystems level ownership. You’ll coordinate with Customers, the Program Management Office, the Chief Engineer and other engineering disciplines, suppliers, and partners to lead the architectural development, technical integration, and verification of space systems and their associated ground and launch systems as necessary.

The Systems Engineering Department is part of the Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit (SCU) that comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact, discriminating technologies for our customers’ missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.

What You’ll Do:

• The Chief Systems engineer is the technical authority for the technical requirements baseline of a program and will supervise and lead a team of Systems Engineers to define mission objectives, identify stakeholders, and establish system architecture during the development, design, integration, and V&V of a mission.
• Work with Engineering Management and the PMO to manage the staffing assignments for a team of Systems Engineers and Lead Systems Engineers depending on Mission complexity.
• Work closely together with the PMO to balance technical performance with programmatic constraints.
• Provide systems engineering leadership of technical teams in the development, verification, delivery, and operations of Missions, Segments, Elements, and Subsystems.
• Support the proper allocation, traceability, and verification of requirements at all levels through the lifecycle of the program.
• Interact with our teams of subject matter experts to develop the required allocation analysis and verification artifacts.
• Interface with and support the program’s stakeholders including the Customer, PMO, suppliers, and internal SBUs.
• Coordinate and own trade studies and their impact to the technical baseline while working cross-functional teams.
• Own the activities and products, including setting expectations, preparations, and delivery, for major gate reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, PSR) and other technical interchanges throughout the program lifecycle.
• Own and delegate requirements and interface verification with I&T activities according to company processes to ensure a successful V&V campaign.
• Use Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) for architecture to requirements traceability and interface development in coordination with Customers
• Own the System-level technical budgets.
• Mentor other system engineers assigned to the team.
• Support the program Risk & Opportunity Management and ERB processes.
• Prepare and give presentations to peers, management, and customers.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
• May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
• May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 8 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master’s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• A current, active Top Secret security clearance is required with ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Polygraph.
• Experience using requirements database tools (DOORS, Jama, Cameo Requirements Modeler, e.g.).
• Experience with Cameo Enterprise Architecture, SysML and DoDAF/UAF/UPDM.
• Demonstrated ability to manage effective and verifiable requirements – detail oriented.
• Demonstrated experience in systems engineering processes, including requirements development, requirement allocation, change management, verification and validation – a self-starter that will own this activity.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary teams including meeting schedule and performance goals.
• Customer Relationships: extensive knowledge of missions and customers across core technologies areas. Knowledge/experience working with critical customer base, established relationships with key personnel within customer community.
• Good presentation skills with experience to senior decision making and technical audiences.

#LI-MB2Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field plus 15 or more years related experience.
• Demonstrated experience as a Chief or Lead Systems Engineer on space-based development and manufacturing programs.
• Demonstrated experience on Mission-scope programs requiring the management and coordination of teams spanning all Mission Segments.
• Demonstrated experience in new business and architecture development including BOE and schedule development.
• Related experience in either mission operations, mission systems, spacecraft systems, ground systems or payloads.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $132962 - $226035

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc.BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.