About this role
Eng Sr Prin - Sys
Job Description: BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems (SMS) is seeking a highly experienced and collaborative Payloads Systems Engineer to lead program execution activities supporting the successful development and delivery of complex systems for our National Space customers. As a key member of the program team, you'll be responsible for establishing and managing the engineering entrance and exit criteria for program and customer milestone reviews, leading internal and external gate reviews, and ensuring verification, validation, and compliance activities are planned, executed, and documented in accordance with program and customer expectations. If you're an experienced systems engineering professional with a passion for technical leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and delivering high-quality products, we encourage you to apply.
The Space Systems Strategic Business Unit unites space activities under one umbrella and collaborative environment: Civil Space, National Space, and Military Space.
The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit 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: • Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of internal and external engineering gate reviews, including Contract Initiation/ATP, SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, HSR, and PSR, ensuring successful program execution and customer satisfaction. • Establish, document, and maintain engineering entrance and exit criteria, required deliverables, and review expectations for Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), subcontractors, and customer milestone reviews. • Collaborate with program leadership, IPTs, subject matter experts, subcontractors, and customers to define review scope, negotiate deliverables, Statements of Work (SOW), and verification and validation expectations, and ensure all review products are completed on schedule. • Develop and maintain integrated execution plans that align engineering activities and program schedules to support successful gate reviews and customer commitments. • Serve as the technical authority for verification, validation, compliance, and deliverable products, providing approval for IPT and subcontractor deliverable packages and ensuring technical completeness and quality. • Coordinate verification and validation activities across engineering disciplines to ensure customer deliverables meet contractual, technical, and program requirements. • Mentor and onboard new Verification & Validation team members, fostering consistent engineering processes, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across the organization. • 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 related degree, i.e., Master’s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of related 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 with ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI Polygraph. • Experience operating within classified program environments.
• Experience working with DoW and/or IC technical support contractors and program technical representatives. • Payload Systems Engineering Experience. • DOORS • Requirements allocation, traceability, and technical baseline • Facilitate life-cycle customer gate reviews • Ensure milestone criteria and contractable deliverables are satisfied • Requirements verification & validation: program design compliance, verification planning, and selloff execution • Specification development and release • Design compliance matrix • System and subassembly specification management
• Proven technical competence in space-based payloads. • Demonstrated excellent technical leadership and interpersonal skills in relevant technical environments. • IPT ownership • Mentoring • Technical review presentation • Customer liaison
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Preferred Skills and Education: • MS or Ph.D. in Physics, Engineering, Math, or a related field. • 10 years of experience with payload and mission architecture for the intelligence community. • Project management experience or formal training. • Experience in supporting proposals. • Superb presenter with documented presentation experience to grow new business opportunities. • Excellent communication and technology evaluation skills. • Aspirations to grow into a Chief Engineer role. • A current, active TS/SCI with Polygraph security clearance.
Benefits Information: 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.
Intern Benefits: Temporary employees generally are not eligible for BAE Systems benefits, but can elect to participate in the 401(k) savings plan. Temporary employees working 20+ hours per week are eligible for medical benefits, the employee assistance program, and business travel accident insurance.
Please note: Some benefits may be different for union employees that are governed by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or for positions covered by a wage law called the McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act (SCA).
About BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems: 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.