Senior Systems Engineer - Weapons

ASEC, Inc; Patuxent Highland (MD); On-site; USD 170,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) with company match

Tuition assistance

11 paid holidays

Job summary

ASEC, Inc is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer - Weapons at NAS Patuxent River, MD. This role involves providing expert engineering oversight and lifecycle support for NAVAIR's Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons Program Office. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and at least 10 years of relevant experience. Skills in risk management, requirements development, and effective communication are essential. ASEC offers a comprehensive benefits package and an employee-owned culture.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in weapons systems engineering within DoD.
• Demonstrated experience in guided missile acquisition.
• Proficient in building collaborative relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical authority for NAVAIR's Strike Weapons Program.
• Provide mentorship to PMA-242 leadership.
• Conduct gap analyses aligned with warfighter needs.
• Serve as SME in weapons development lifecycle.
• Coordinate with test communities and industry partners.

Skills

Technical guidance

Requirements development

Risk management

Systems integration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Description

Location: NAS Patuxent River, MD

Security Clearance Requirement: Active Secret

Telework Eligible? No

What You’ll Do:

As the Senior Systems Engineer -Weapons, you will serve as a lead technical authority by providing expert engineering oversight, systems integration leadership, and full lifecycle support for NAVAIR's Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-242). This role requires deep technical expertise in weapons system design and platform integration, comprehensive knowledge of DoD acquisition processes, and the ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, logistics, program management, test, and fleet communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level technical guidance and mentorship to PMA-242 leadership and IPTLs on assigned weapon systems, subsystems, interfaces, and mission capabilities.
• Lead Systems Engineering Technical Reviews (SETRs), requirements development, system architecture, risk management, and configuration management activities.
• Conduct gap analyses aligned with warfighter needs to deliver traceable capability requirements for current and future weapons roadmaps.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in all aspects of the weapons development and acquisition lifecycle.
• Guide requirements definition, capability roadmapping, and integration planning for emerging DoD strike weapons.
• Coordinate with developmental and operational test communities, intelligence organizations, program offices, NAVAIR, JPO, industry partners, and fleet/combat air forces.
• Lead risk assessment activities related to aircraft and system-of-systems integration.
• Serve as a primary technical interface with fleet users, OPNAV sponsors, contractors, platform PMAs, weapons safety boards, and joint service partners.

This description outlines the general nature and scope of the role. Additional duties may be assigned as necessary.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering, or a related technical discipline is required. Master’s degree is preferred.
• At least 10 years of experience in weapons systems engineering within DoD or a comparable environment is required. A master’s degree and 8 years of experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience in the DoD acquisition of guided missiles or other complex weapons is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of U.S. Navy or Marine Corps aircraft weapon integration, MIL‑STD environments, and stores airworthiness and certification processes.
• Experience supporting DoD acquisition programs and familiarity with DoD 5000‑series instructions.

Equally Important

• Ability to build positive, collaborative relationships across teams and with external partners.
• Effective communicator with strong verbal and written skills.
• Proactive, self‑directed work style with the ability to operate independently.
• Analytical thinker with proven problem‑solving capabilities.
• Highly organized, with the ability to balance competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

Security Clearance Requirement

• This position requires U.S. citizenship and an active DoD Secret clearance. Selected candidate will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Salary Range

• The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $170,000 - $185,000 annually, commensurate with an individual’s experience, qualifications, and skill set. ASEC is committed to providing fair and equitable compensation.

Why work at ASEC?

• 100% employee‑owned company. Learn more about our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) here!
• Comprehensive benefits package, including 11 paid holidays, medical/dental/vision coverage, HSA/FSA options, disability insurance, and more!
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition assistance for undergraduate and graduate education
• Veteran‑friendly employer
• Thriving employee culture

ASEC offers access and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws.

ASEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, hire, train, compensate, and promote employees based on qualifications, merit, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy or related conditions (including breastfeeding), or any other status protected by law.

ASEC also complies with all applicable pay transparency laws and will not discriminate against employees or applicants for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing compensation.