Engineer Senior Principal Systems - Lead Systems Engineer - EO/IR

Job Description
BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems (SMS) is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to provide program-level systems engineering leadership for advanced EO/IR system development. This role is responsible for ensuring alignment between mission needs, system architecture, and subsystem performance while guiding the program through design, integration, and validation.
The Lead Systems Engineer works closely with the Chief Engineer and cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive system design, effective integration, and successful delivery of EO/IR capabilities.
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 systems engineering execution for EO/IR system development programs.
• Ensure alignment between mission requirements, architecture, and performance.
• Enable successful integration, calibration, and validation of EO/IR systems.
• Strengthen engineering rigor in requirements, modeling, and verification.
• Integrate technical, cost, and schedule performance across program execution.
• Lead development and management of system requirements, decomposition, and allocation.
• Ensure alignment between optical, sensor, processing, and mechanical subsystems.
• Support development and maintenance of the technical baseline and system architecture.
• Guide the program through key technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR).
• Coordinate across multidisciplinary teams to ensure end-to-end system performance.
• Support development and execution of verification, validation, and calibration strategies.
• Perform or guide system-level performance analysis and trade studies.
• Identify and manage technical risks and integration challenges.
• Serve as a Control Account Manager (CAM) and/or Work Package Manager (WPM) supporting Earned Value Management (EVM) execution, including planning, status, variance analysis, and corrective action planning.
• Support customer interactions and technical briefings.
• Mentor engineers and reinforce systems engineering discipline.
• 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 Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 8 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of 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.
• 8+ years of experience in EO/IR, sensor systems, or related domains.
• Experience leading systems engineering efforts on complex development programs.
• Solid understanding of EO/IR system architectures and performance drivers.
• Experience supporting design reviews, integration, and system validation.
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) and integration of technical, cost, and schedule performance, including CAM and/or WPM responsibilities.
• Ability to work across multidisciplinary teams and influence technical direction.
• Excellent communication skills with experience supporting technical reviews and customers.

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Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Experience with imaging systems, focal plane arrays, or optical system design.
• Familiarity with image processing, calibration, and sensor performance modeling.
• Experience with modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB or equivalent).
• Experience with MBSE / digital engineering tools (e.g., Cameo, SysML).
• Experience supporting development-to-production transitions.
• MS in Engineering, Physics, or related technical field preferred.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $132962 - $226035
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 Space & Mission Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for government and commercial customers. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.
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.
Multiple positions may be available on this opening.