Lead Systems Engineer

Peraton; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 135,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking qualified candidates to support NORAD and USSPACECOM operations at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex under the NCMC-ITW/AA and NISSC III contracts. The role focuses on operating, maintaining, and sustaining critical national mission systems to deliver resilient threat warning and space capabilities for national defense.

The Lead Systems Engineer will supervise requirements analysis, system integration, and modernization across complex space, missile warning, and C2 systems, while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of relevant experience; OR Master’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience. Additional four (4) years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility required, ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI access required.
• 8+ years leading complex engineering projects while managing technical performance, schedules, staffing, and budgets.
• 8+ years developing project requirements in partnership with PMOs and TPOCs, including technical scope, staffing plans, schedules, performance criteria, CDRLs, and project kickoff activities.
• Experience using CAME, or related tools.
• MS Project experience or related tracking tools.
• Extensive experience with Model Based Systems Engineering concepts and application and tools to develop and manage requirements.
• Familiarization with agile development process and ability to utilize the process to accomplish requirements and tasks to meet Customer objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical teams, senior leadership, and government customers.
• Knowledge and demonstrated ability to apply System of Systems Engineering discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering, integration, sustainment engineering, and digital engineering activities supporting NORAD/USSPACECOM within the Cheyenne Mountain Complex environment.
• Oversee requirements analysis, system integration, technical baseline management, modernization, testing, sustainment, and operational engineering efforts across space, missile warning, and C2 systems.
• Mentor engineers and partner with government stakeholders to solve critical IC problems.
• Provide technical leadership as senior engineering authority and primary technical POC.
• Define project scope, technical requirements, schedules, staffing, performance metrics, and CDRLs with PMO/TPOCs.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Agile methodologies

Model Based Systems Engineering

Systems engineering

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of relevant experience

Master’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience

Tools

MS Project

CAME

Job description

Responsibilities

Peraton is seeking incumbent and external qualified candidates to support North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Cheyenne Mountain Complex (NCMC) – Integrated Tactical Warning/Attack Assessment (NCMC-ITW/AA) and Space Support Contract III (NISSC III).

Please note that this is contingent upon contract award, with an anticipated decision expected by Mid to late 2026

Qualified candidates will help operate, maintain, and sustain critical national mission systems to deliver resilient strategic threat warning and space capabilities as part of a worldwide architecture, providing strategic warning that our nation depends on during a conflict. This program will provide an opportunity to exploit the capabilities inherent in our diverse national systems to better meet the needs of the national command authority and warfighters to detect, track, and respond to strategic threats through 2030 and beyond.

Lead Systems Engineer / Systems Engineer will lead systems engineering, integration, sustainment engineering, and digital engineering activities supporting mission‑critical NORAD and USSPACECOM operations within the Cheyenne Mountain Complex environment. This role will oversee requirements analysis, system integration, technical baseline management, modernization, testing, sustainment, and operational engineering efforts across complex space, missile warning, and command‑and‑control systems. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience supporting complex DoD programs in operational or classified environments while leading collaboration efforts across software, cybersecurity, integration, and operations teams to improve system reliability, mission readiness, and operational effectiveness throughout the program lifecycle.

This is an opportunity to influence mission‑critical engineering efforts, mentor technical professionals, and partner with government stakeholders to solve some of the Intelligence Community's most challenging problems.

• Serve as the program's senior engineering authority and primary technical point of contact.
• Lead the technical planning, design, execution, and evaluation of complex engineering projects from concept through completion.
• Apply advanced engineering principles to develop innovative, technically sound end‑to‑end solutions that meet mission requirements.
• Partner with Program Management Office (PMO) personnel, Technical Points of Contact (TPOCs), and government stakeholders to define project scope, technical requirements, schedules, staffing plans, performance metrics, and CDRLs.
• Monitor technical performance, project schedules, staffing levels, and budgets to ensure successful execution across multiple concurrent efforts.
• Present technical findings, recommendations, and risk assessments to senior leadership and customers.
• Develop clear, concise technical reports, briefings, and engineering documentation.
• Collaborate across government and contractor engineering teams to resolve technical challenges and improve mission outcomes.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Successfully manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, mission‑focused environment.
• Oversee actions to identify and mitigate risks to the overall program.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of relevant experience; OR Master’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience. Additional four (4) years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility required, ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI access required.
• 8+ years leading complex engineering projects while managing technical performance, schedules, staffing, and budgets.
• 8+ years developing project requirements in partnership with PMOs and TPOCs, including technical scope, staffing plans, schedules, performance criteria, CDRLs, and project kickoff activities.
• Experience using CAME, or related tools.
• MS Project experience or related tracking tools.
• Extensive experience with Model Based Systems Engineering concepts and application and tools to develop and manage requirements.
• Familiarization with agile development process and ability to utilize the process to accomplish requirements and tasks to meet Customer objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with technical teams, senior leadership, and government customers.
• Knowledge and demonstrated ability to apply System of Systems Engineering discipline.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarization with ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2023, IEEE 15288.1, and DAFI 63‑101/20‑101 as it pertains to Systems Engineering Management Plans.
• Experience supporting NORAD NORTHCOM and – Integrated Tactical Warning/Attack Assessment (NCMC-ITW/AA) systems.
• Technical intelligence analysis involving current and emerging defensive systems, subsystems, and associated technologies.
• Radar and missile system engineering, planning, operations, and design.
• Integrated Technical Evaluation and Analysis of Multiple Sources (ITEAMS) methodologies.
• Threat Modeling Analysis Program (TMAP) digital models, simulations, and hardware representations used to evaluate system performance, capabilities, and vulnerabilities.

Target Salary Range

$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO

Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.