Airborne Systems Section Lead (Hybrid, Sign On Bonus & Relocation Available)

Job Description
Navigate the Future of Defense.
At BAE Systems, our employees develop the world's most critical electronics-from protecting pilots in contested airspace to enabling precision landings at sea. We are seeking a motivated engineering leader to serve as the Airborne Systems Section Lead, guiding a high-performance team dedicated to the development of military GPS products for the airborne and maritime market spaces.
In this role, you will operate as a "player-coach." You will operate as a functional manager, mentoring a team of 10-15 engineers and fostering a culture of technical excellence, as well as a technical leader with the ability to influence the design of the products. This is not just about oversight; it is about leveraging your technical knowledge to guide the team and the development of some of the most advanced PNT solutions available for airborne and maritime platforms.
You and your team will lead the charge on cutting-edge navigation solutions, including working on the next-generation Maritime and Aviation Receiver Card (MAVRC) program and supporting existing programs such as the Joint Precision Approach and Landing Systems (JPALS). We are looking for a leader who deeply understands airborne product needs and possesses the experience to guide their team through the rigors of DO-178C and DO-254 standards to move products from design to deployment.
This is a unique opportunity to own the technical direction of a critical product line while building the next generation of BAE Systems engineering talent.
Roles and Responsibilities

• People Leadership: Provide direct supervision, mentoring, and performance management for a team of 10-15 systems engineers, focusing on career development and professional accountability.
• Talent Development: Lead recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding efforts to ensure the team has the skill sets required to meet evolving business objectives.
• Culture: Foster a safe, inclusive, and collaborative team culture that celebrates technical achievement and continuous learning.
• Technical Execution: Actively engage in program execution to drive sound technical decision-making. You will ensure the team is "building the right thing" within cost and schedule constraints while identifying ways to improve the technology or the approach to deliver value to the customer faster and more efficiently.
• Certification Guidance: Serve as a subject matter expert and mentor, guiding the team through complex product certification processes, specifically focusing on DO-178C (Software) and DO-254 (Hardware). This includes overseeing the development of certification strategies and ensuring compliance with TSO/MSO authorization processes.
• Systems Rigor: Apply deep systems engineering rigor to the development of airborne and maritime GPS products, ensuring robust requirements decomposition, architecture design, and verification.
• Strategic Collaboration: Partner with Program Managers and Business Development to influence technical roadmaps and ensure product competitiveness in the airborne and naval sectors.
• Technical Engagement: Participate in design reviews, bid and proposal efforts, and the development of next-generation navigation solutions.

Because this role requires a balance of collaborative team leadership and independent technical analysis, it will be performed in a hybrid work format (minimum 50% onsite).
Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science).
• 10+ years of experience in systems engineering with a proven track record of leading technical teams (either functionally or as a technical lead).
• Strong understanding of the full systems engineering lifecycle, from requirements definition through design, integration, and test.
• Experience with airborne product requirements and the unique constraints of aviation environments, including a working familiarity with DO-178 and DO-254 development and certification standards.
• Ability to obtain a DoW Secret security clearance.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor junior-to-mid-level engineers toward high-performance standards.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical decisions to program leadership and customers.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Certification & Authorization Expertise: Extensive background in TSO/MSO certification processes, documentation, and compliance demonstration. Proven experience guiding teams through DO-178C and DO-254 lifecycles, including coordination with MSO to obtain program authorizations (e.g., C204).
• Domain Knowledge: Experience with military GPS, anti-jam (AJ) technology, or PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) solutions.
• Management Experience: Prior experience as a functional manager (performance reviews, staffing, and resource management).
• Clearance: Currently hold an active DoW Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
• Advanced Degree: Master's degree in a STEM field.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $136000 - $231200
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
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.
About BAE Systems Electronic 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.