SDN Backbone Chief Engineer

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience as a technical lead for hardware or software development with one or more subsystems or disciplines
• Demonstrated experience with design reviews, integration and test
• Detailed knowledge of engineering and program planning throughout development, design, build, test, and integration phases
• U.S. citizenship required to maintain / Obtain Secret clearance

Job Description

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.

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.

This position is contingent upon contract award to Lockheed Martin. Estimated award date is currently August 2026. The applicant selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Any job offers extended to chosen candidates will include a contingency clause stating that the offer is dependent on Lockheed Martin securing the contract.

Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that's built for you. Lockheed Martin is looking for a dynamic Chief Engineer to lead a cutting edge space-based program. Your role at LM Space is critical for the successful development of the most advanced technology and complex systems in the world. You will be the chief technical authority for a team that works closely with the Program Manager and customer to develop technical solutions, drive affordability, and lead development on this critical program.

Responsibilities

• Technical integrity of the system and assigned products to meet the customer's needs within the program’s cost and schedule constraints
• All technical activities on the programs and initiatives assigned, as the senior technical professional
• Promoting best practices and engineering processes execution and improvement across the program
• Leveraging the full capabilities of LM Space and supporting enterprise initiatives
• In this capacity, you will be the primary technical authority on the program, responsible for 100% mission success
• Drive top technical issue resolution, chair key Failure Review Boards (FRBs), Engineering Review Boards (ERBs), and Critical Integration Reviews (CIRs)
• In coordination with Mechanical and Electrical Systems Engineers, lead a technical team of cross-functional engineers to ensure successful product and system development and execution, across the program life cycle
• Serve as the system’s Executive Certified Principal Engineer (CPE) and define the CPE hierarchy and product certification approach for the program
• Avoidance of standard technical methods and engineering processes in coordination with the appropriate functional department
• Approval of any waivers to engineering processes in coordination with the appropriate functional department
• Serve as the technical conscience of the program or product area
• Support Mission Segment CE and Line of Business strategic direction
• Provide timely communications with LM leadership with a focus on placing events and issues in the right broader context (e.g. relative risk, impacts and implications) as the technical execution quality conscious of the program
• Be the key point of contact and advocate for the Engineering team with program management, other program segments / IPTs, external partners and subcontractors

Desired Skills

• Experience as CPE or RSE
• Prior experience as an LM Space Chief Engineer
• Experience working as an Electrical Systems Engineer, Mechanical Systems Engineer, Spacecraft Systems Engineer, or experience defining and/or testing HW and HW/SW interfaces
• Experience interfacing and partnering with government customers
• Knowledge and application of engineering processes and Command Media
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong social skills, and ability to build consensus among peers while building solid relationships with team members, leadership, subordinates, and customers
• Master’s degree in engineering or science
• Experience contributing to or leading the technical response for a competitive proposal effort