Principal Systems Engineer for Capital Projects

BAE Systems, Inc.; Kingsport (TN); On-site; USD 96,623 - 164,259; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Disability coverage

Life and accident insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Parental, military, bereavement leave

Job summary

BAE Systems, Inc. in Kingsport, TN seeks a Principal Systems Engineer, Chemical Process Integration to lead and integrate chemical process systems across large-scale energetic manufacturing projects.

You will bridge chemical engineering and systems architecture, driving requirements, verification, and safe, compliant plant designs. The role demands autonomy in technical decision-making, leadership over design reviews, and accountability for on-time, on-budget delivery within regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Systems Engineering.
• 6+ years of relevant experience in industrial or government facilities.
• Experience in design, operation, or construction with process flow and equipment integration.
• Experience developing technical specifications and requirements documents to align stakeholders and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Interface with internal and external stakeholders of large-scale capital projects.
• Bridge the gap between chemical process engineering, civil/construction, and systems architectural design.
• Develop and maintain system requirements, verification and validation, and technical interfaces across the project lifecycle.
• Oversee the transition of projects from conceptual design through commissioning and qualification.
• Resolve complex technical challenges using innovative solutions aligned with organizational goals.
• Ensure safety, throughput, and regulatory compliance are maintained throughout project lifecycle phases.
• Define and manage system architecture to ensure multidisciplinary engineering efforts are integrated and aligned.
• Regular presence in a manufacturing or fabrication environment; comply with PPE requirements.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Technical leadership

Systems integration

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering

Tools

Cameo

MagicDraw

DOORS/Jama

Job description

Principal Systems Engineer, Chemical Process Integration

Join a mission‑driven team delivering life‑saving products and services to our nation's military. As part of the ordnance systems team at the Holston Army Ammunition Plant in Kingsport, TN, you will work alongside industry leaders at the forefront of energetics technology.

The Principal Systems Engineer, Chemical Process Integration provides technical leadership and systems integration oversight for energetics manufacturing construction projects. You will act as the primary bridge between chemical process engineering and systems architectural design, developing and translating requirements into scalable, safe, and efficient physical plant designs.

You will lead the definition and management of system architecture, ensuring multidisciplinary engineering efforts are integrated through traceability matrices, configuration baselines, and rigorous verification and validation. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, you will drive technical decisions, lead design reviews, and serve as the final technical authority for system integration to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in full regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Interface with internal and external stakeholders of large‑scale capital projects.
• Bridge the gap between chemical process engineering, civil/construction, and systems architectural design.
• Develop and maintain system requirements, verification and validation, and technical interfaces across the project lifecycle.
• Oversee the transition of projects from conceptual design through commissioning and qualification.
• Resolve complex technical challenges using innovative solutions consistent with organizational goals.
• Ensure safety, throughput, and regulatory compliance are maintained throughout project lifecycle phases.
• Define and manage system architecture to ensure all multidisciplinary engineering efforts are integrated and aligned.
• Regular presence in a manufacturing or fabrication environment; safe navigation of production areas that may include climbing, kneeling, stooping, and confined spaces, and compliance with PPE requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or Systems Engineering. Other relevant training may be considered.
• 6+ years relevant experience (fewer years may be considered for a more junior role or additional experience for a more senior role).
• Experience in the design, operation, or construction of industrial or government facilities, with a strong understanding of process flow and equipment integration.
• Experience developing technical specifications and requirements documents to align stakeholders and vendors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Department of War customer.
• Experience managing interdependencies between chemical processes, mechanical equipment, and control systems.
• Experience with energetics, propellants, or explosive materials manufacturing and associated safety constraints.
• Experience with Systems Engineering tools (e.g., Cameo, MagicDraw, DOORS/Jama).
• Experience managing the full lifecycle from initial requirements through Site Acceptance Testing and transition to production.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil) toward a unified system goal.

Pay and Benefits

Full‑Time Salary Range: $96,623 – $164,259.

Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings account; 401(k); disability coverage; life and accident insurance; employee assistance program; legal plan; discounts on home, auto, and pet insurance; paid time off, holidays, and various leave options including parental, military, bereavement, and federal/state sick leave; recognition program with monetary and non‑monetary awards; other incentives based on position level and job specifics.

Work Schedule and Environment

9/80 schedule (every other Friday off) and hybrid work environment (2–3 days on site).