Lockheed Martin

RFS Product Center Chief Engineer

Lockheed Martin$139K — $246K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  • Significant multi-discipline technical leadership experience.
  • Capability to manage complex technical projects with minimal oversight.
  • Experience managing budgets and forecasting resources.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the technical strategy for future RF capabilities and initiatives.
  • Develop and maintain the RF Product Center technical roadmap.
  • Collaborate with Senior Program Manager on maturing emerging capabilities to production.
  • Define scalable product architectures with Product Center Architects.
  • Evaluate and recommend investment priorities for emerging technologies.
  • Support technical strategies and solutions for CRAD and IRAD initiatives.
  • Champion systems engineering practices while promoting rapid innovation.

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
  • 401(k) matching
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Education Assistance
  • Parental Leave
  • Paid time off and Holidays
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Missiles and Fire Control RF Product Center is seeking an experienced Chief Engineer to lead the technical strategy and execution of future Sensor products that will shape the next generation of the MFC and Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) business areas. This position operates to innovate and develop emerging technologies, products, and investments to define future scalable technical solutions that can be transitioned across programs and into production.
The Chief Engineer will partner closely with Product Center leaders to identify, mature, and transition advanced capabilities from concept through operational deployment. This role will help define the technical and capability roadmaps for future Sensor product development while ensuring new capabilities are architected for manufacturability, affordability, reuse, scalability, and long-term sustainment.
Success requires balancing technical depth with strategic thinking, working across Lockheed Martin Business Areas, Engineering disciplines, Product Management, Operations, Advanced Programs, Business Development, and program teams to align technology investments with future business needs.
This is an opportunity for an engineering leader who enjoys solving the most difficult technical challenges, connecting disparate efforts into a cohesive product strategy, and influencing the future direction of the organization.
Key Responsibilities
• Serve as the technical lead for the RF Product Center future capabilities and strategic initiatives that are not yet aligned to an existing program of record.
• Develop and maintain the RF Product Center technical roadmap, ensuring alignment with customer needs, business strategy, and technology investments.
• Partner with the Senior Program Manager to mature emerging capabilities from concept through program adoption and production transition.
• Partner with Product Center Architects to define scalable product architectures that maximize reuse across programs while balancing cost, schedule, technical performance, and manufacturability.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend investment priorities that strengthen long-term Product Center competitiveness.
• Support CRAD, IRAD, proposal, and capture activities by developing technical strategies, solution concepts, and execution approaches.
• Lead engineering cost, schedule, and technical product development, execution and integration activities across multiple organizations and Business Areas.
• Identify technical risks early and develop mitigation strategies that enable successful transition into programs and production.
• Champion systems engineering rigor while enabling rapid innovation and technology maturation.
• Foster collaboration across engineering disciplines and organizational boundaries to ensure technically integrated solutions.
• Work closely with business development, product management, sensor architects to help support the development of product, capability, and technology roadmaps in order to define investment strategy for future Sensor development.
• Guide IPT leads and cross-functional teams in program planning, scheduling, trade studies, design concepts, verification, and critical life cycle reviews along with DVT, CQT, and SQT level testing.
• Ensure engineering teams are staffed appropriately for all development activities.
• Support internal and external customer meetings, weekly IPT status, Technical Interchange Meetings, Technical Readiness Reviews, metrics generation, PDRs, CDRs, and critical program Failure Review Boards, Risk Management, and Mission Success Reviews.
• Success requires more than technical excellence. It demands system's thinking, strategic agility, the ability to build and manage complex cross-organizational and cross-Business Area relationships, and a passion for transforming emerging concepts into scalable, reusable products that can be successfully adopted by programs and transitioned into production.

Basic Qualifications
• The successful candidate must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university, with existing professional experience.
• Candidate must have the ability to obtain and maintain a security Clearance with an investigation in the past 5 years.
• The successful candidate must have significant multi-discipline technical leadership experience and be able to manage a highly complex technical project with little oversight.
• The candidate must be able to manage a budget, forecast resources, and develop close working relationships with associate IPT Leads, functional managers, and Customer counterparts.

Desired skills
• Demonstrated experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, Technical Director, or equivalent technical leadership role on complex defense or aerospace programs.
• Experience developing technical strategies and architectures for advanced technologies or complex systems.
• Experience supporting proposal development, technology demonstrations, or capture activities.
• Experience transitioning technology from development into production and/or operational programs.
• Experience working in product-based organizations or reusable product architectures.
• Experience with technology maturation, prototype development, and transition planning.
• Familiarity with CRAD, IRAD, or other technology investment strategies.
• Strong systems engineering background with experience balancing technical performance, manufacturability, affordability, and lifecycle considerations.
• Experience collaborating across multiple organizations and Business Areas.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior technical and business leaders.
• Experience developing long-range technology roadmaps.
• Prior experience with RF Sensor development is highly desired.
• Experience in planning and leading technical solutions from proposal through all aspects of development. This includes SRR, PDR, CDR, Qualification, System Verification & Test, FCA and transition to production.
• Experience in leading or presenting at technical reviews and boards is desired.

National Pay Statement

Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $139,600 - $246,100. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
(Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
This position is incentive plan eligible.

Premium Pay Statement

Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $160,500 - $278,300. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
This position is incentive plan eligible.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security company that engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems and products. It also provides a range of management, engineering, technical, scientific, logistic, and information services. The company operates in four business segments: Aeronautics, Electronic Systems, Information Systems and Global Services, and Space Systems. Lockheed Martin was formed in 1995 from the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta. In September 2008, Lockheed Martin Corporation acquired Aculight Corporation. In January 2009, it completed its acquisition of Universal Systems & Technology, Inc. (UNITECH). In August 2009, it completed its acquisition of Gyrocam Systems LLC (Gyrocam). Gyrocam develops and supplies gyrostabilized optical surveillance systems and sustainment field services, principally to the United States military. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, a unit of the Company's Electronic Systems business area, would manage the Gyrocam business.

Lockheed Martin Careers

Joining Lockheed Martin provides more than just a job opportunity; it offers a platform to be part of a leading team dedicated to advancing global security and aerospace innovation. As a cornerstone of technological prowess, Lockheed Martin invites you to contribute to a legacy of impactful achievements in defense and technology.

Work You’ll Do

At Lockheed Martin, your role will extend beyond fulfilling job responsibilities to reshaping the future of aerospace and defense. Our team at Lockheed Martin is engaged in critical missions that protect citizens and advance the boundaries of science. From engineering to cybersecurity, the opportunities for professional growth are boundless.

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Step into a career at Lockheed Martin and you will be at the forefront of innovation and leadership. We empower our employees to lead projects that redefine industry standards and incorporate cutting-edge technology. Lockheed Martin is not just about thinking of the next big idea; it’s about making it a reality.

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Lockheed Martin is committed to the professional growth of every team member. We offer unparalleled career advancement opportunities including professional development, leadership programs, and continuous learning through our Lockheed Martin University. Whether you are looking to advance your skills in engineering, project management, or AI, Lockheed Martin is equipped to take your career to the next level.

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We believe that diversity drives innovation. Lockheed Martin fosters an inclusive culture that embraces diversity in thoughts and experiences. Through diversity training and networking, we ensure that every employee can thrive. Our leadership is committed to building a diverse workforce where everyone is heard, respected, and valued.

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Kickstart your career with Lockheed Martin’s internship programs. These opportunities allow you to apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects, gaining invaluable industry experience. Internships often lead to full-time positions, as we love to see young professionals grow into future leaders within our company.

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Lockheed Martin is renowned for its vibrant culture and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the various needs of our diverse team. From competitive salaries and health benefits to employee wellness programs and flexible working conditions, we ensure that our team is well taken care of, motivated, and healthy.

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Explore the numerous employment opportunities on our careers page. We are continuously hiring skilled professionals eager to make a difference. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences, prepare for your interview, and join a team known for its commitment to excellence and innovation.

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Lockheed Martin: Your Future is Here

Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, Lockheed Martin offers a range of positions and career paths that align with your ambitions and skills. Join us in our mission to solve complex challenges, advance scientific discovery, and deliver innovative solutions that make a difference.

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Learn more about Lockheed Martin
Size
114,000 employees
Market Cap
$126.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.8 billion
Founded
1995
5 Year Trend
+7.2%
Revenue
$65.3 billion
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