Secret Lead Systems Engineer

Insight Global; Lexington Park (MD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to head the MQ-9 Common Control Environment (CCE) team for a NAVAIR-led U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9 program.

You will be the technical authority for about 10 systems and software engineers, guiding design, integration, and certification of GCS software and capabilities. The ideal candidate has 10+ years in systems engineering or defense programs, hands-on unmanned systems experience, and a proven record leading engineering teams.

Qualifications

• US Citizenship required.
• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret/SCI.
• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer, Software or Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in systems engineering or software-intensive defense programs.
• Hands-on experience with unmanned systems, ground control stations, or avionics control software.
• Prior experience leading engineering teams (tech lead, IPT lead, or manager).
• Strong understanding of requirements management, interface definition and control.
• Ability to make technical decisions in a fast-moving acquisition environment.
• Strong communication skills with engineers and government stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical authority and team lead for the MQ-9 CCE engineering group (~10 engineers).
• Lead design, integration, and certification of GCS control software and related capabilities.
• Develop and manage requirements; plan and conduct lab and flight tests; ensure interoperability with mission systems.
• Collaborate with program managers, test teams, and industry partners to meet performance, safety, and certification standards.

Skills

Leadership

Unmanned systems

Systems engineering

DoD programs

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems/Software/Electrical Engineering

Tools

DOORS

Ground Control Station software

Job description

Insight Global is seeking a motivated and experienced Lead Systems Engineer to lead the MQ-9 Common Control Environment (CCE) engineering team supporting a NAVAIR-led U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9 program. In this role, you will serve as the technical authority and team lead for a group of approximately 10 systems and software engineers, driving the design, integration, and certification of ground control station (GCS) control software and associated capabilities.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience with unmanned aircraft control systems, software-intensive systems engineering, and DoD acquisition programs, along with a passion for mentoring engineers and shaping technically sound, operationally relevant solutions. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with government engineers and program leadership, influence system architecture and technical decisions, and see your work directly impact fleet operations. Candidates who thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and are eager to deliver innovative, mission-critical capabilities to the warfighter will find this role both challenging and highly rewarding.

This position supports tasking at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Executive Office, Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO(U&W)), located in Patuxent River, MD. The selected candidate will provide technical leadership for the integration, testing, and sustainment of the Common Control Environment (CCE) on the MQ-9 MUX MALE platform. Responsibilities include developing and managing requirements, planning and executing lab and flight tests, ensuring interoperability with other mission systems supporting engineering change proposals, analyzing technical risks, and recommending solutions to enhance CCE integration. There will also be close collaboration with program managers, engineers, test teams, and industry partners to ensure the CCE meets performance, safety, and certification standards.

• Must be a US Citizen.
• Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI.
• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline
• 10+ years of experience in systems engineering or software-intensive defense programs
• Hands-on experience with unmanned systems, ground control stations, or avionics control software
• Prior experience leading engineering teams (technical lead, IPT lead, or manager)
• Strong understanding of:
• Requirements management (DOORS or equivalent)
• Interface definition and control
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams
• Comfortable making technical decisions in a fast-moving acquisition environment
• Strong communication skills with both engineers and senior government stakeholders
• Mission-focused, collaborative, and customer-oriented mindset