Lead Defense Systems Engineer, DoD Programs

Protingent; Shoreline (WA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Protingent is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer for Defense Programs to drive capture engineering and shape technical solutions for aerospace and defense customers. This role requires extensive experience with DoD programs, clear technical writing, and the ability to advocate for robust system architectures.

The successful candidate will work onsite in Alameda, CA, coordinate with business development and program management, and influence proposals and program documents across SRR, PDR, CDR, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field is required.
• 5+ years of systems engineering experience in aerospace and defense programs.
• Direct experience with DoW/DoD customers and programs including capture engineering.
• Excellent technical writing and briefing skills for DoW/DoD customers.
• Strong understanding of DoD acquisition lifecycle and SE processes.
• Experience with requirements management and traceability tools (DOORS, Jama).
• Onsite work at Alameda, CA with up to 25% travel to test sites and partner sites.

Responsibilities

• Capture engineering and business development leadership on defense pursuits from discovery to proposal.
• Identify technical discriminators to separate Longshot from competitors.
• Shape technical solutions aligned to customer requirements and evaluation criteria.
• Partner with business development and program management on pursuit strategy.
• Debrief internal teams on customer feedback and roadmap implications.
• Conduct trade studies across cost, performance, risk, schedule, and supportability.
• Perform requirements analysis, functional decomposition, and architecture for defense launch platforms.
• Define system interfaces, requirements traceability, and V&V plans.
• Author and review technical white papers and responses to RFIs/BAAs/RFPs.
• Build SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR packages with traceability and analyses.
• Draft statements of work, WBS, milestones, and integrated master schedule inputs.
• Develop CDRL deliverables and ensure compliance with Data Item Descriptions.
• Track and report technical performance, risks, and opportunities to stakeholders.
• Deliver technical briefings to program offices, service leadership, and senior government personnel.
• Create capability briefings and quad charts that withstand technical scrutiny.

Skills

Technical writing

Communication

Requirements management

Systems engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

DOORS

Jama

Job description

Protingent is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer for Defense Programs to drive capture engineering and shape technical solutions for aerospace and defense customers. This role requires extensive experience with DoD programs, clear technical writing, and the ability to advocate for robust system architectures.

The successful candidate will work onsite in Alameda, CA, coordinate with business development and program management, and influence proposals and program documents across SRR, PDR, CDR, and