Principal Systems Engineer IPT Lead – Airborne Products

Job Description Job Summary
Are you a technical leader with a passion for aviation and defense? The Navigation and Sensor Systems (NSS) organization is seeking an ambitious Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead to guide the development of cutting-edge airborne navigation solutions. In this role, you will lead the IPT responsible for the design, implementation, and testing of systems solutions—integrating embedded software, security, and hardware—specifically for BAE Systems' airborne products. This position is critical to ensuring our airborne GPS technologies are secure, innovative, and compliant with rigorous aviation standards. If you are committed to our mission, “We protect those who protect us,” and ready to drive technical success in a high-stakes environment, we want to hear from you.
Job Responsibilities
The Systems IPT Lead for Airborne Products is accountable for the budget, schedule, and technical success of the Systems Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) allocated to airborne programs. They will support the planning, execution, and technical direction of all phases of the program, and coordinate efforts with other integrated product team leads and technical staff to optimize and monitor performance of assigned tasks. The IPT Lead owns various program activities and communication paths to senior management, while supporting the program managers and business teams. Such tasks include weekly/monthly program management reviews, risk and opportunity management, earned value management, project scope estimation and long-term forecasting, development lifecycle process adherence, and action item capture and closure. The IPT Lead must provide scope-based, time-phased demand for systems engineering tasks, and work with engineering management to identify appropriate skills and staffing to implement the plan. The IPT Lead is accountable for interfacing cross-functionally with software, hardware, security, development environment, manufacturing test, quality, and program management teams to ensure a smooth flow from design to delivery of the systems product.

Key responsibilities include:
- Coordinate with other disciplines (software/hardware/security) and other roles (Product Owner, Scrum Master, Agile Release Train Engineer, Project Engineering Managers, Program Managers)
- Perform earned value management and reporting
- Support Schedule and Cost Analysts through Control Account Management (CAM) reviews and Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) crashes and updates
- Support bid and proposal activities using basis of estimate data
- Proactively identify and manage risk and opportunities associated with the systems development activities
- Identify objectives for Agile planning ceremonies to meet program plans, schedules, and budgets from both internally defined goals and customer statements-of-work
- Ensure compliance with engineering design plans and processes
- Ensure customer deliveries occur on time
- Review recommendations for scope change and enhancements to systems tasks via the program Change Control Board (CCB)
- Apply critical thinking, sound logic, and relevant metrics to make data-driven decisions
- Demonstrate sound judgement by quickly assessing the cost, benefits, and risks of courses of action
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) discipline.
- 5+ years experience in system design and test activities and use of the software development life-cycle activities.
- 2+ years of experience with project management activities and demonstrated success leading teams (formally or informally).
- Working familiarity with airborne product requirements and aviation certification standards (DO-178 and DO-254).
- Demonstrated understanding of earned value management (EVM).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with senior management and customers.
- Candidate must currently possess or be eligible to obtain a U.S. DoD Secret Security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- Experience with TSO/MSO certification processes and documentation.
- Experience with military GPS, anti-jam (AJ) technology, or PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) solutions.
- Fluency with Atlassian ALM, Jira, and Microsoft Project.
- Strong understanding of Agile and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) methodology.
- PMP certification.
- Prior experience in a customer-interfacing role and experience with embedded software products.
- Master’s degree in a STEM field.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $107359 - $182510

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.