Product Line Chief Engineer Weapon System Integration (WSI)

Vectrus, Inc; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

V2X is seeking a Product Line Chief Engineer in Indianapolis, Indiana, serving as the primary technical authority for defense programs. You will lead cross‑disciplinary teams to ensure delivery of compliant solutions and manage technical risks.

This role requires proven technical leadership in aerospace or DoD environments, effective communication with stakeholders, and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with significant experience. The role offers an opportunity to impact mission success in an innovative environment.

Qualifications

• Proven technical leadership of multi-disciplinary teams on complex DoD or aerospace programs.
• Experience with system architecture, design integration, requirements development, and risk management.
• Proficiency with DoD acquisition lifecycle, systems engineering V-model, and technical review process.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority and design owner for assigned programs.
• Lead cross-disciplinary technical teams across systems, software, hardware, cybersecurity, integration, and test.
• Identify, assess, and manage technical risks throughout the program lifecycle.

Skills

Technical leadership

System architecture

Requirements development

Risk management

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Description

V2X is seeking a Product Line Chief Engineer within the Weapons System Integration (WSI) Team in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Product Line Chief Engineer (CE) serves as the primary technical authority for assigned defense programs, with full accountability for technical execution, risk posture, and design integrity across the program lifecycle. The CE partners closely with Program Managers, customer technical leadership, and cross‑functional teams to ensure delivery of mission‑capable, cost‑effective, and compliant solutions aligned to customer requirements, V2X technical standards, and contractual obligations.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority and design owner for assigned programs.
• Develop, maintain, and control the technical baseline, architecture, interfaces, and design integrity.
• Lead cross‑disciplinary technical teams across systems, software, hardware, cybersecurity, integration, and test.
• Act as the customer‑facing technical lead for design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and program execution.
• Identify, assess, and manage technical risks throughout the program lifecycle.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager to ensure technical cost, schedule, and performance objectives are achieved.
• Lead technical gate reviews and readiness assessments (e.g., SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR).
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards (DoD, MIL‑STD, ITAR, cyber compliance, etc.).
• Lead resolution of critical technical issues impacting program execution or delivery.
• Provide technical leadership for proposals, including basis of estimate (BOE), architecture development, and capture support.
• Partner with V2X functional engineering leadership to ensure application of design processes, specialty engineering, and independent technical assessments.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic technical thinker with ability to balance innovation and disciplined execution.
• Highly collaborative leader able to work across functional teams, customers, and leadership.
• Effective communicator with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Decisive problem solver with strong ownership of program’s technical posture.

Required Skills

• Proven technical leadership of multi‑disciplinary teams on complex DoD or aerospace programs.
• Experience with system architecture, design integration, requirements development, and risk management.
• Proficiency with DoD acquisition lifecycle, systems engineering V-model, and technical review process.

Desired Skills

• Prior Chief Engineer, IPT Lead, or Lead Systems Engineer experience at a major defense integrator.
• Experience with rapid prototyping, software‑enabled solutions, open architectures, or digital engineering approaches.
• Experience interfacing with senior defense customers, including Program Executive Officers (PEOs) and Program Management (PM) offices.
• Familiarity with MIL‑STD compliance, safety standards, cybersecurity compliance (RMF, NIST).
• Active Secret clearance preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering discipline with 15+ years of experience in defense system development, emerging engineering leadership, and program execution.
• Master’s degree preferred.

Other Information

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