Chief Systems Engineer

Company: Lockheed Martin
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

The coolest jobs on this planet… or any other… are with Lockheed Martin Space Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security and our humanity. While others view space as a destination, we see it as a realm of possibilities, where we can do more — we can innovate, invest, inspire and integrate our capabilities to transform the future. OVERVIEW: At Lockheed Martin Space, we aim to harness the full potential of space to cultivate innovation, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. We’re creating future-ready solutions, focusing on resiliency and urgency through our 21st Century Security® vision. We’re erasing boundaries and forming partnerships across industries and around the world. We’re advancing spacecraft and the workforce to fuel the next generation. And we’re reimagining how space can connect us, ensuring security and prosperity. Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that's built for you. What does this role look like? Lockheed Martin is looking for a Program Chief Systems Engineer (CSE) to lead the Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test (SEIT) organization for the Space Development Agency Tranche 2 Tracking Layer program within the Tracking, Transport and Warning (TT&W) Mission Segment of the National Security Space (NSS) Line of Business (LOB). The successful candidate will lead the T2TK SEIT Team in delivering the end-to-end mission capability with sound systems engineering practices while managing the team’s technical direction, financials, schedule, risk posture, staffing, and collaborative interfaces with senior management, customers, and subcontractors. The CSE will oversee all T2TK SEIT responsibilities—including technical baseline management, risk and opportunity management, system integration, mission and performance analysis, CONOPS development, trade studies, interface and design integration, requirements definition and verification, specialty engineering, and systems testing. This is a high-visibility position that offers an opportunity to quickly make a significant impact on the future of TT&W and LM Space. This position requires a high level of technical and business acumen to balance priorities, drive issue prevention/resolution, and clearly communicate status and needs to our customers/partners, and with both Lockheed Martin and supplier executives. This position is expected to require domestic travel less than 15%. Basic Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering field. • Demonstrated performance as a successful engineering manager developing space products and/or systems (cost/schedule/technical/risk) and personnel. • Established expertise in systems engineering for space products and/or systems on a development program. • Proven business acumen with experiences: utilizing earned value management as Control Account Manager (CAM), managing headcount, developing schedules, generating Basis-Of-Estimates (BOEs), and supporting proposal development activities. • Familiarity with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) principles and processes. • Active TS/SCI security clearance, thus US Citizenship is required. Desired skills • Master's Degree in Systems Engineering, or relevant Graduate Degree. • Demonstrated performance as Chief System Engineer through the entire lifecycle of a development program. • Demonstrated performance as a successful engineering manager developing space products and/or systems (cost/schedule/technical/risk) and personnel (minimum 5 year). • Established broad expertise in systems engineering lifecycle processes and tools for space products and/or systems on a development program (minimum 10 year). • Recognized as an authority in systems thinking techniques with the demonstrated ability to apply them to a wide range of complex problems and train others in their application. • Proven business acumen with additional experience beyond basic qualifications: executing firm fixed price contracts, evaluating supplier Basis-Of-Estimates (BOEs), developing contractual documentation and correspondence, and performing a key role in developing a large proposal (>$500M), including strategy development and negotiations. • Experienced in developing, deploying, and managing model-based engineering/systems engineering. • Demonstrated abilities to: build and shape high performance teams; plan strategically and translate this strategy into daily/weekly/monthly tactical actions; motivate and energize a diverse and geographically distributed team. • Experience supporting the Missile Warning and/or Missile Tracking missions, or similar remote sensing/national defense, missions and programs. Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics. The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration. * At Lockheed Martin, we use our passion for purposeful innovation to help keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work. With our employees as our priority, we provide diverse career opportunities designed to propel, develop, and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. We place an emphasis on empowering our employees by fostering an inclusive environment built upon integrity and corporate responsibility. If this sounds like a culture you connect with, you’re invited to apply for this role. Or, if you are unsure whether your experience aligns with the requirements of this position, we encourage you to search on Lockheed Martin Jobs , and apply for roles that align with your qualifications. Other Important Information By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings. Ability to work remotely Onsite Full-time: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility. Work Schedule Information Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits. Security Clearance Information This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration. Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $151,200 - $266,570. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer. Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year. This position is incentive plan eligible. Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $173,900 - $301,415. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer. Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. This position is incentive plan eligible.

Keywords: Lockheed Martin, Santa Rosa , Chief Systems Engineer, Engineering , Sunnyvale, California