Systems Engineer

Job Description
We're hiring a Systems Engineer who brings disciplined systems thinking to complex, secure enterprise and mission systems. You'll join a multi-disciplinary team shaping end-to-end architectures, translating operational needs into clear technical requirements, and integrating software, data, AI/ML, cloud, cyber, and hardware components into resilient capabilities. You will help define measurable outcomes, manage interfaces and technical risk, and guide systems from concept through verification and operational deployment. This role involves leadership in the technical framework as well as direct engagement with stakeholders who will use the capabilities developed.
Serve as a technical leader within the Chief Innovation & Strategy Organization (CSO) in McLean, VA. We want technical leaders with visionary solutions who can tame complex technical problems and set the standard for engineering excellence across a wide spectrum of technical disciplines.
To maximize growth and ensure agility in changing markets, our leadership is evolving our structure and assembling our top talent into a unified engineering engine designed to outpace emerging challenges and drive sector-wide advancement. You will be a primary driver of that mission, charting technical pathways, leading high-impact initiatives, and mentoring the next generation of engineers.
You won't be weighed down by bureaucratic stagnation. You'll join a culture that values bold technical risks, rewards creative engineering, and gives leaders the authority to shape the future of our technical and strategic portfolio. Join a rapidly growing organization, scaling our agentic construction of capabilities, serving our customers and ourselves leveraging advanced frameworks. You will be important to continuing to evolve with and ahead of the market.
Opportunity
We are hiring a Systems Engineer to contribute as a technical leader across our multi-disciplinary portfolios. This mid-level role is focused on system architecture, requirements, integration, and verification in an AI-centric engineering environment, with the opportunity to learn and expand your scope. You will support the architecture and execution of high-visibility systems, providing leadership across:
• System Architecture, Requirements Development, and Technical Baselines
• Model-Based Systems Engineering and Digital Engineering
• Complex AI/ML Service Integration and Agentic System Design
• Interface Management, Integration, Verification, and Validation
• Secure Cloud, Edge, Hardware, and Multi-Platform Enterprise Ecosystems
Responsibilities
• Design & Implement End-to-End Systems - Develop system concepts and architectures that connect user needs, mission threads, functional requirements, interfaces, software, data, cyber controls, and operational constraints.
• Develop & Manage Requirements - Elicit, analyze, decompose, trace, and validate requirements while maintaining alignment among stakeholders, technical teams, and verification activities.
• Lead Integration & Verification - Plan and execute integration, test, verification, and validation activities; identify interface issues, performance limitations, and technical risks before operational deployment.
• Scope Technical Pathways - Collaborate directly with Principal Investigators (PIs), strategists, engineers, and technical leadership to evaluate feasibility, conduct trade studies, and architect solutions for incoming initiatives.
• Mentor & Guide Junior Engineers - Lead by example, sharing systems thinking, structured problem-solving, technical documentation, and AI-native engineering practices with junior teammates.
What We Are Looking For - The Essentials
• Systems Engineering Foundation - Demonstrated experience applying systems engineering principles across requirements, architecture, interfaces, technical planning, integration, verification, validation, and risk management.
• Architecture & Digital Engineering - Experience developing logical and physical architectures, operational views, system models, interface definitions, or technical baselines using MBSE or comparable methods.
• Cross-Domain Technical Fluency - Working understanding of software, data, cloud, cybersecurity, AI/ML, networks, hardware, or embedded systems sufficient to identify dependencies and guide integrated solutions.
• Analytical Decision-Making - Ability to conduct trade studies, define measures of effectiveness and performance, assess technical risk, and communicate recommendations with clear assumptions and evidence.
• Collaborative Leadership - Demonstrated success partnering with research, product, mission, and engineering stakeholders while driving alignment across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Track Record - History of success supporting viable systems from concept through integration and deployment while adapting to changing requirements, tools, and frameworks. Be prepared to share lessons learned.
A Modern Mindset - Your Growth Edge
• AI-Integrated Systems Engineer - You leverage AI-assisted engineering tools, digital models, and automation to improve requirements quality, architecture analysis, testing, and delivery timelines.
• Adaptable Problem Solver - Comfortable operating with ambiguity, structuring complex technical problems, and turning high-level strategic objectives into executable engineering pathways.
Character & Culture
• Ownership Mentality - Takes complete responsibility for the stability, scalability, quality, and mission impact of delivered capabilities.
• Intellectual Honesty - Transparently evaluates risks, communicates technical trade-offs clearly, and drives practical solutions.
• Mission-Driven & Competitive - Deeply committed to delivering bulletproof technical solutions that solve critical operational challenges.
• Generous Team Member - Earns respect through technical depth, emotional intelligence, and an active commitment to mentoring and uplifting others.
Working Conditions
• Onsite in McLean, VA. Flexible work and time options.
• Occasional travel to other BAE Systems sites, partner facilities, and stakeholder meetings.
• Reports to: Sr. Director, Capability Development.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
Experience - 2-5 years of professional systems engineering, systems integration, technical architecture, or related engineering experience.
• Education - Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field. A Master's degree or equivalent practical experience is a plus.
• Experience executing rapid-cycle R&D in defense, aerospace, advanced prototyping, or adjacent mission areas.
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks, autonomy, cyber engineering, or human-machine teaming, as applicable to the role.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance. TS/SCI Preferred.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
Experience with MBSE tools and methods such as SysML, digital engineering environments, requirements management, or architecture frameworks.
• Experience integrating software-intensive, cloud, cyber-physical, autonomous, or AI-enabled systems.
• Fluency in at least two of the following: Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, AI Harness Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, Hardware/Firmware/Embedded Systems.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $149603 - $254317
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.