Senior Principal Systems - Agile Project Engineer (Hybrid & 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 ensuring capabilities get to their intended destination. We are seeking a motivated Project Engineer to join our team to lead the agile execution of multiple engineering scrum teams.
This role is critical for ensuring the efficient delivery of complex systems in a government-funded environment. You will act as the primary driver for execution, working directly with Scrum Masters to ensure clarity of objectives, removing organizational obstacles, and escalating critical issues to leadership. While this role mirrors a Release Train Engineer (RTE), you will apply agile principles while ensuring we meet the firm delivery dates and rigorous requirements of our customers.
The Role
As a Project Engineer, you will be responsible for the operational health and throughput of multiple scrum teams. Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Government Program Compliance: Manage agile execution within the constraints of cost-plus or firm-fixed-price government contracts, ensuring that agile flexibility is balanced with firm customer due dates and deliverables. Effectively address the dynamic influx of new work, including small-scope efforts and numerous minor programs, by adapting processes to prioritize, integrate, and deliver these initiatives alongside larger projects.
• Agile Execution & Leadership: Lead the efficient execution of multiple scrum teams. Encourage continuous skill development, help teams establish optimized workflows, and foster an environment that boosts team health and productivity.
• Program Planning & Backlog Management: Guide teams through program planning to ensure backlogs are groomed, priorities are clearly understood, and teams are prepared before entering sprint planning cycles.
• Team Coaching & Mentoring: Act as a subject matter expert in agile best practices. Coach and mentor teams through the implementation of agile principles to deliver maximum value.
• Impediment Removal & Risk Management: Identify and resolve bottlenecks and impediments that hinder team progress. Proactively manage risks and escalate unresolved issues to the leadership team to ensure timelines are maintained.
• Stakeholder Synchronization: Organize and facilitate periodic synchronization meetings with Program Managers, IPT leads, and Scrum Masters. Maintain constant communication with stakeholders to ensure alignment between the firm's vision and technical execution.
• Performance Tracking: Implement and monitor agile metrics to track the progress of features and capabilities. Use data-driven insights to create roadmaps for improvement across development periods.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related).
• Experience:
  • 8+ years with a BS
  • 6+ years with an MS
  • 4+ years with a PhD
• Systems Rigor: Proven experience across the full product development lifecycle (Requirements, Architecture, Design, Integration and Test).
• Security: Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret security clearance.
• Government Program Experience: Proven experience working on government-funded programs where firm delivery dates are required.
• Communication & Leadership: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to coach teams, influence stakeholders, and maintain transparency regarding program health.
• Critical Thinking: Ability to quickly analyze complex situations and guide teams toward solutions in the shortest time possible.
• Project Management: Proficiency in Earned Value Management (EVM) and cost/schedule integration. Strong understanding of project control methodologies used in complex, multi-year government programs.
• Project Planning: Proven ability to guide others through the planning process by translating complex technical requirements into executable work packages and resource plans.
• Leadership: Proven track record of mentorship and a commitment to growing the technical and leadership capabilities of others. Ability to balance the drive for execution with a focus on the long-term health and professional development of the team.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Framework Development: Experience setting up agile frameworks that balance customer timeline requirements with the need to handle changing requests and scope.
• Agile Metrics: Proficiency in defining and tracking agile metrics to drive productivity and throughput.
• Clearance: Currently hold an active US Government Secret security clearance.
• Certification: Certification in Agile or Scrum (e.g., CSM, SAFe, or similar), though the ability to apply these flexibly is more important than strict adherence to a specific certification's prescription.
• PNT Domain Knowledge: Specific experience with military GPS, anti-jam (AJ) technology, or PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) solutions.
• Tool Proficiency: Experience with JIRA for work tracking and metrics generation.
• Applied AI: Proven experience leveraging generative AI tools to enhance and automate engineering tasks.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $120874 - $205486
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, Inc.
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.