SE Digital Engineering & AI Adoption Lead (Hybrid)

Posted Yesterday
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Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
Hybrid
136K-231K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Where purpose connects.
The Role
Leads systems engineering strategy within a Digital Engineering and AI council, defining standards, roadmaps, adoption metrics, and reusable practices. Embeds with programs to coach teams and integrate model-based systems engineering, digital workflows, AI-supported techniques, and traceability across requirements, architecture, analysis, design, and verification. Tracks adoption, reports outcomes, supports transition to team ownership, and provides ongoing subject-matter expertise across defense engineering programs.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Description
See what you're missing. Our employees work on the world's most advanced electronics - from detecting threats for F-35 pilots to illuminating the night for soldiers. Spanning air, land, sea, and space, we are developing the technology of tomorrow, delivered today. Drawing strength from our differences, we're innovating for the future. And you can, too. Our flexible work environment provides you a chance to change the world without giving up your personal life. We put our customers first - exemplified by our mission: "We Protect Those Who Protect Us®." Sound like a team you want to be a part of? Come build your career with BAE Systems.
In Precision Strike & Sensing Solutions, we design and manufacture state-of-the-art systems and technology that enable our customers to execute their precision strike missions.
What's it like to engineer technologies that give U.S. and allied forces the accuracy, survivability, and mission confidence they depend on? At BAE Systems, it means contributing to Precision Strike & Sensing Solutions-designing advanced seeker systems, secure anti-jam GPS receivers, and mission displays that deliver precision effects in the toughest environments. In this Systems Engineer job, you'll work across air, ground, maritime, and weapon platforms to develop and integrate navigation solutions, missile seekers, and precision-guided capabilities, applying disciplined systems-engineering practices through requirements analysis, architecture development, modeling, trade studies, and verification. You'll collaborate daily with cross-functional teams to create resilient, high-performance systems that operate reliably even in contested signal environments, making a direct impact on national defense while advancing your engineering career in a mission-driven, innovative, and supportive culture.
We are seeking a Senior Principal Systems Engineer to coordinate and directly support adoption of systems engineering discipline strategy as part of a Digital Engineering & AI strategy council. In this role, you will jointly set direction for how systems engineering practices evolve-defining priorities, standards, and adoption outcomes that strengthen engineering rigor, transparency, and decision quality across programs. You will collaborate with program and engineering leadership across product portfolios to ensure strategies are actionable and executed in day-to-day engineering work.
Council & Roadmap Responsibilities
Serve as a core member of the Digital Engineering & AI council, contributing to roadmap development, cross-program and portfolio priorities, and adoption status tracking for the broader organization. Translate strategy into practical guidance, templates, and measures; capture lessons learned and feed improvements back into the roadmap to enable consistent adoption across multiple programs.
Program Adoption Engagement
You will execute adoption as a day-to-day team member embedded within a program, coordinating work, coaching engineers, and integrating DE/AI practices into planning, requirements, architecture, analysis, and verification activities. Over approximately 3 to 6 months you will enable the team to assume full ownership of these practices and establish stable routines for themselves followed by transition into an on-call subject-matter expert for that program before rotating to the next program.
Key Responsibilities

  • Collaborate on systems engineering discipline strategy within the DE/AI council; define standards, priorities, and measurable adoption outcomes.
  • Work closely with program teams in the initial phase to model workflow changes and embed DE/AI practices into the adopting team.
  • Introduce and mature model-based systems thinking and structured digital workflows to improve transparency, rigor, and traceability.
  • Strengthen digital continuity by linking requirements, architecture, design artifacts, analysis, and test evidence.
  • Identify practical AI-supported engineering techniques that enhance throughput and decision-making; pilot and operationalize them with the team.
  • Define adoption metrics, track progress, and report results in program and council reviews.
  • Enable long-term team ownership and provide on-call support.
  • Capture lessons learned and reusable methods to support adoption across future programs and consistency across the portfolios.

Because this role involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work, it will take the form of a hybrid work format, with time split between working onsite and remotely.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline and 10+ years of relevant experience.
  • Leadership experience in cross-functional engineering environments.
  • Hands-on experience with model-based or digital engineering methods.
  • Familiarity with digital workflows that integrate requirements, architecture, design, analysis, and verification.
  • Strong collaboration, communication, and coaching skills.
  • Ability to define measurable metrics and use data to guide progress.
  • U.S. citizenship and eligibility for a DoW Secret clearance.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
  • Experience introducing or maturing engineering practices across diverse teams.
  • Background in systems digital transformation.
  • Experience with modern engineering collaboration ecosystems or digital toolchains.
  • Professional certifications or an advanced degree in digital engineering.

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.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline
  • 10+ years of relevant experience
  • Leadership experience in cross-functional engineering environments
  • Hands-on experience with model-based or digital engineering methods
  • Familiarity with digital workflows integrating requirements, architecture, design, analysis, and verification
  • Strong collaboration, communication, and coaching skills
  • Ability to define measurable metrics and use data to guide progress
  • U.S. citizenship and eligibility for a Department of War Secret clearance
  • Experience introducing or maturing engineering practices across diverse teams
  • Background in systems digital transformation
  • Experience with modern engineering collaboration ecosystems or digital toolchains
  • Professional certification or advanced degree in digital engineering

What the Team is Saying

BAE Systems, Inc. Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage is presented as comprehensive, paired with an EAP, fertility and transgender care options, and HSA‑compatible plans that can include employer contributions with coverage starting on day one in some cases. These resources are reinforced by wellness tools and immediate eligibility noted on official benefits materials.
  • Retirement Support — A 401(k) savings plan is broadly available, with employer matching and other contributions that vary by business unit, and some U.S. employee groups retain pension arrangements. Company‑paid basic life insurance equal to 2x base salary (up to $1M) further strengthens financial security.
  • Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave (e.g., 160 hours for full‑time employees) sits alongside adoption and surrogacy reimbursement and Bright Horizons backup child and elder care. These benefits help reduce care gaps and complement PTO and applicable state programs.

BAE Systems, Inc. Insights

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The Company
HQ: Falls Church, VA
40,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1999

What We Do

Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do. As a leading aerospace, defense, and security company, we work together to deliver a full range of products and services for air, land, space, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. How we work is rooted in purpose – a purpose to protect those who protect us, to unite our community of colleagues and customers, and to drive forward the growth and development of our exceptional team members. It's where purpose connects.

Why Work With Us

We believe your career should be filled with innovation and discovery. And that's exactly what you'll find at BAE Systems. As you work to develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills and expand knowledge. On a sharp and collaborative team, you will be challenged – and supported – at every turn.

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BAE Systems, Inc. Teams

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About our Teams

BAE Systems, Inc. Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

As the work place continues to evolve, so do we. Remote and hybrid opportunities are available at BAE Systems depending on the nature of the role. Check your job requisition to learn more.

Typical time on-site: Not Specified
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HQBAE Systems, Inc. headquarters
Annapolis Junction, MD
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Austin, TX
Boulder, CO
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Space & Mission Systems headquarters
Burlington, MA
Cedar Rapids, IA
Dallas, TX
Endicott, NY
Fort Wayne, IN
Greenlawn, NY
Huntsville, AL
Jacksonville, FL
Los Angeles, CA
Maple Grove, MN
Intelligence & Security headquarters
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Electronic Systems headquarters
Redmond, WA
San Diego, CA
San Jose, CA
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Sterling Heights, MI
Washington, DC
Wayne, NJ
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