Lead Program Systems Engineer, CyclopsDESCRIPTIONThe Lead Systems Engineer for the Cyclops Interceptor Program owns system level requirements, architecture, interface definition, and verification planning for Long Wall's interceptor. This role provides the technical backbone of the program, ensuring that all engineering work across propulsion, avionics, structures, mechanisms, GNC, software, and integration aligns with a coherent and traceable system design.
Operating closely with the program's Chief Engineer, Project Engineer and Responsible Engineers, the Lead Systems Engineer creates and maintains the structured technical framework that enables disciplined development. They ensure that architectures scale, requirements remain traceable, interfaces stay stable, and verification flows match both government-funded testing and rapid internal development.
RESPONSIBILITIES:- Own system level requirements for the Cyclops interceptor; define, refine, organize, and maintain requirements throughout the design and verification lifecycle.
- Build and maintain full traceability from customer objectives to subsystem requirements, ensuring visibility and coherence across all engineering disciplines.
- Develop and maintain the system architecture, integrating propulsion, avionics, structures, mechanisms, GNC, software, manufacturing constraints, and test operations into a stable, scalable design.
- Establish, maintain, and control Interface Control Documents (ICDs); ensure physical, electrical, data, and software interfaces remain stable and rigorously evaluated.
- Own the system level verification plan, defining verification methods, test flows, analysis strategies, and requirement closure mechanisms.
- Coordinate with engineering discipline leads to ensure subsystem designs align with system architecture, requirements, interfaces, and verification constraints.
- Partner with the Project Engineer to ensure development schedules reflect requirements flow, architecture constraints, integration needs, and verification planning.
- Support the Chief Engineer by supplying structured system artifacts needed to maintain the technical baseline and adjudicate major technical decisions.
- Work closely with Mission Assurance to ensure system requirements, architectures, and verification plans support safety, reliability, and readiness criteria.
- Lead system level technical reviews and major integration checkpoints; ensure system artifacts are complete, configuration controlled, and defensible.
- Maintain discipline in managing changes to requirements, interfaces, architecture, and configuration, ensuring all modifications are evaluated for system level impact.
- Support integration, test activities, and government milestone engagements by providing clear technical documentation, readiness artifacts, and configuration clarity
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:- Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
- 8+ years of experience in systems engineering for aerospace, defense, or complex technical systems.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:- Demonstrated experience defining requirements, architecture, and verification plans for multi-discipline systems.
- Experience with interface control documentation, configuration management, and system level technical reviews.
- Proven ability to build and maintain system level requirements, traceability matrices, and structured technical artifacts.
- Strong understanding of aerospace subsystems and how they integrate into coherent system architectures.
- Ability to define, review, and manage interface documentation and configuration structures.
- Experience developing verification plans, test flows, and requirement closure strategies for complex systems.
- Excellent communication skills; able to translate detailed technical architecture into clear guidance across engineering disciplines and program leadership.
- Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced environments that combine rapid internal development with structured external demands.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:- Prior systems engineering leadership experience on missile, interceptor, launch vehicle, spacecraft, or other multi-discipline aerospace systems.
- Familiarity with government customers, milestone reviews, and structured technical documentation environments.
- Familiarity with requirements tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama, JIRA) and model-based systems engineering approaches.
- Understanding of mission assurance, safety analysis, and reliability engineering for flight systems.
- Experience scaling systems engineering practices as products move from prototype to production.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
- Ability to use a computer for assignments and communicate effectively in person, via telepresence, and by phone.
- Ability to travel between Long Wall sites as needed
$150,000 - $230,000 a year
- P4: $150,000 to $190,000
- P5: $185,000 to $230,000
The posted pay range reflects the base salary range for this role in California only, and is the lowest to highest compensation range we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.
In addition to base pay and equity, we offer:
- Heavily employer-subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
- Long Wall paid life insurance and LTD coverage
- 4% 401k match
- Student loan repayment assistance program
- Paid parental leave
- Family planning assistance program
- Long Wall paid financial wellness program
- Paid time off for non-exempt employees and flexible vacation policy for exempt employees
ITAR RequirementThis position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted U.S. asylum status, or individuals admitted in U.S. refugee status) is a required qualification for this position.
