Location NAS Pax River
Shift First
Description Pono Aina Management LLC is currently seeking a Senior Systems Engineer (SSE) to join their team. This senior technical role provides high-level systems engineering expertise, airworthiness oversight, and system safety support for the Royal Australian Air Force's F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets. The position serves as a key technical advisor to the Australian Liaison Office, ensuring that all platform configurations, modifications, and upgrades meet rigorous Australian and U.S. airworthiness and safety standards. The successful candidate will work closely with NAVAIR, Boeing, and other stakeholders in a complex, binational defence engineering environment.
Key Responsibilities: - Provide senior-level systems engineering support across airworthiness, system integration, configuration management, and technical risk areas
- Support the Australian Aircraft Structural Integrity Program (ASIP), System Safety Program, and overall Sustainment Program
- Conduct and support hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk mitigation activities for the RAAF fleet configuration
- Track and evaluate NAVAIR Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), Technical Directives (TDs), and other technical documentation for systems impacts
- Liaise with NAVAIR, Boeing, and other CONUS stakeholders on technical, safety, and integration matters
- Develop high-quality briefing materials, engineering reports, and presentations for senior Australian and U.S. stakeholders
- Independently represent the RAAF in technical forums, working groups, and program reviews
- Advise on platform integration activities and future capability insertions from a systems engineering perspective
- Contribute to the identification and management of technical risks affecting fleet safety, availability, and capability
Mandatory Requirements: - U.S. or Australian Citizenship
- Current or ability to obtain a U.S. SECRET clearance (or Australian AGSVA equivalent)
- Significant experience in the operation, maintenance, acquisition, or sustainment of tactical military aircraft (F/A-18 experience highly preferred)
- Strong project management and coordination skills in a defence program setting
Important Requirements: - Tertiary qualifications in Engineering, Project Management, Aviation, or a related technical field
- Demonstrated understanding of U.S. DoD and USN acquisition processes
- Experience with spiral development or incremental capability upgrade programs
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (especially Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams)
Physical Requirements: - Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Requires the ability to walk short distances.
- Exerting up to 15 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
- Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. the worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.
Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time
Position Senior Systems Engineer (SSE)
Position Requirements Please see the above job description
Salary $135,000-$165,000
Direct Contract/Indirect DepartmentDivision Pono Aina Management LLC
Close DateCreated By Daniel Berg
Number of Openings 1
Number Filled 0
Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt
Hiring Manager(s) Judge Ashmore
Open Date 4/16/2026
This position is currently accepting applications. 
