Lead Systems Engineer, Defense 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

Position Title

Lead Systems Engineer, Defense Programs

Position Description

Protingent Staffing has an exciting direct hire Lead Systems Engineer, Defense Programs opportunity.

Job Responsibilities

• Capture & Business Development: Lead capture engineering on defense pursuits, from early customer discovery through proposal submission
• Identify and develop the technical discriminators that separate Longshot from conventional and non-conventional competitors
• Shape technical solutions that align to customer requirements, acquisition strategy, and evaluation criteria
• Partner with business development and program management on pursuit strategy, bid decisions, and teaming
• Debrief the internal team on what the customer actually said, and what it means for the roadmap
• Systems Engineering: Conduct trade studies across cost, performance, risk, schedule, and supportability to defend solution choices
• Perform requirements analysis, functional decomposition, and architecture development for defense applications of our launch platform
• Define and document system interfaces, requirements traceability, and verification and validation plans
• Proposal & Program Documentation: Author and review technical white papers and responses to RFIs, BAAs, and RFPs
• Build and lead SRR, PDR, CDR, and TRR packages, including the analysis and traceability behind them
• Draft statements of work, work breakdown structures, milestone definitions, and integrated master schedule inputs
• Develop CDRL deliverables and ensure compliance with applicable Data Item Descriptions
• Customer-Facing Communication: Track and report technical performance measures, risks, and opportunities
• Prepare and deliver technical briefings to program offices, service leadership, and senior government stakeholders
• Build capability briefings and quad charts that hold up to technical scrutiny

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering within aerospace and defense programs.
• Direct experience with DoW/DoD customers and programs (hypersonics, long-range strike, missile defense, or space access), including capture engineering and developing technical solutions for defense acquisition
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills, including preparing and delivering briefings to DoW/DoD customers, program offices, and senior leadership
• Strong understanding of DoD acquisition lifecycle (MDD, MSA, TMRR, EMD, P&D) and systems engineering processes (requirements, architecture, V&V)
• Experience with requirements management and traceability tools (DOORS, Jama, or equivalent)
• Ability to work fully onsite at our Alameda, CA facility, with up to 25% travel to test sites, government partner sites, bases, conferences, and tradeshows.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Proven track record of writing technical white papers, proposals, PDR/CDR packages, and other program deliverables

Job Details

• Job Type: Full-time, Direct-Hire
• Salary Range: $160K-$200K
• Location: Alameda, CA (Onsite).
• ITAR obligations are associated with this role, U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a) (1), (3) is required.

About Protingent

Protingent is a niche provider of top Engineering and IT talent to Software, Electronics, Medical Device, Telecom, and Aerospace companies nationwide. Protingent exists to make a positive impact and contribution to the lives of others as well as our community by providing relevant, rewarding, and exciting work opportunities for our candidates.