Lead Systems Engineer

Decision Technologies, Inc. was founded to bridge the gap between Department of Defense and Federal Government acquisition programs and technology, helping customers optimize decision‑making processes. Over the years the company has expanded its expertise to include systems engineering, program management, in‑service engineering, equipment repair, research and development, test and evaluation, and intelligence and counter‑intelligence support. The firm is recognized as a premier engineering and intelligence services provider contributing to national defense, with a culture that cultivates talented problem‑solvers focused on performance, teamwork, and responsiveness.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical, programmatic, and architectural road‑mapping across the entire IWS‑11 portfolio, identifying and transitioning emerging science & technology (S&T) and R&D solutions into future weapon system upgrades.
• Serve as trusted technical advisor to the Government Technical Director, integrating real‑world operational feedback, fleet experiences, and live combat engagements into near‑term CONOPS and long‑term capability baselines.
• Analyze cutting‑edge threat intelligence and adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) against current and planned surface weapon capabilities to identify gaps, update specifications, and drive survivability solutions.
• Direct system‑of‑systems (SoS) integration studies and define interfaces linking terminal defense weapons (e.g., RAM, CIWS) to ship combat systems (e.g., SSDS, Aegis) and advanced sensor suites (e.g., SPY‑6 EASR).
• Interface with senior executive and Flag/SES levels across PAE Munitions, PAE Mission Systems, OPNAV, warfare centers (NSWC Dahlgren, NSWC Port Hueneme, NAWC China Lake), international partners, and national security leadership.
• Guide the program office’s model‑based transition by applying Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) frameworks (SysML, Cameo/MagicDraw), digital threads, and Agile/DevSecOps practices to weapons modernization lifecycles.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a STEM discipline (or Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience directly with U.S. Navy surface weapon or combat systems).
• At least 10 years of systems engineering experience with U.S. Navy surface weapon systems, surface combat systems (e.g., SSDS, Aegis), or naval guided munitions.
• Active DoD Secret clearance (Top Secret eligibility preferred) with ability to access SIPRNet and handle classified intelligence/threat briefings.

Desired Qualifications

• Direct technical experience with Navy terminal defense elements, including Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) and Close‑In Weapon System (CIWS) weapons, launchers, and guided missile rounds.
• Proven track record leading requirements analysis, weapon specification development, and System Engineering Technical Reviews (SETR) per NAVSEA Technical Review Manual (TRM).
• Practical familiarity with MBSE tools and architectures (e.g., Cameo Systems Modeler, MagicDraw, SysML, DoDAF).
• Working knowledge of weapon‑to‑combat system interface documentation (ICDs, IRSs), firing policies, and combat system designation loops.
• Excellent executive briefing, written communication, and cross‑functional leadership skills, with poise to advise military program managers, technical directors, and international steering committees.

Travel Requirements

Limited travel required (~10%), primarily to warfare centers, test facilities, or OEM plant locations such as Dahlgren, VA; Port Hueneme, CA; China Lake, CA; and Tucson, AZ.

Pay

The pay range for this role is $145,000 – $175,000 USD per year (HQ).

Benefits

• Competitive Paid Time Off
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical, Dependent Care & Commuter)
• Company‑paid Short‑Term, Long‑Term, Life, and AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Certifications