Job DescriptionBAE Systems Space & Mission Systems (SMS) is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to provide program-level systems engineering leadership for advanced EO/IR 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.
The Lead Systems Engineer works closely with the Chief Engineer and cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive system design, effective integration, and successful delivery of EO/IR capabilities.
What You'll Do:- Lead systems engineering execution for EO/IR system development programs.
- Ensure alignment between mission requirements, architecture, and performance.
- Enable successful integration, calibration, and validation of EO/IR systems.
- Strengthen engineering rigor in requirements, modeling, and verification.
- Integrate technical, cost, and schedule performance across program execution.
- Lead development and management of system requirements, decomposition, and allocation.
- Ensure alignment between optical, sensor, processing, and mechanical subsystems.
- Support development and maintenance of the technical baseline and system architecture.
- Guide the program through key technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR).
- Coordinate across multidisciplinary teams to ensure end-to-end system performance.
- Support development and execution of verification, validation, and calibration strategies.
- Perform or guide system-level performance analysis and trade studies.
- Identify and manage technical risks and integration challenges.
- Serve as a Control Account Manager (CAM) and/or Work Package Manager (WPM) supporting Earned Value Management (EVM) execution, including planning, status, variance analysis, and corrective action planning.
- Support customer interactions and technical briefings.
- Mentor engineers and reinforce systems engineering discipline.
- 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 Skills and Education- 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 TS/SCI security clearance is required.
- 8+ years of experience in EO/IR, sensor systems, or related domains.
- Experience leading systems engineering efforts on complex development programs.
- Solid understanding of EO/IR system architectures and performance drivers.
- Experience supporting design reviews, integration, and system validation.
- Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) and integration of technical, cost, and schedule performance, including CAM and/or WPM responsibilities.
- Ability to work across multidisciplinary teams and influence technical direction.
- Excellent communication skills with experience supporting technical reviews and customers.
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Preferred Skills and Education- Experience with imaging systems, focal plane arrays, or optical system design.
- Familiarity with image processing, calibration, and sensor performance modeling.
- Experience with modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB or equivalent).
- Experience with MBSE / digital engineering tools (e.g., Cameo, SysML).
- Experience supporting development-to-production transitions.
- MS in Engineering, Physics, or related technical field preferred.
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.
Multiple positions may be available on this opening.
