Sr. Principal Systems Engineer II – Staff Systems Engineering Strategic Lead

Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

Category: Engineering & Technology

Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Description
We are seeking a highly experienced Systems Engineering Leader to serve as a primary operational lead for the Systems Engineering Discipline Lead within the Navigation & Sensing Solutions (NSS) business area. This is a high-impact leadership role designed to provide cross-functional stability, resource orchestration, and execution oversight across multiple NSS product lines.
The ideal candidate is a "leader of leaders"—someone who can seamlessly pivot between high-level strategic planning and the tactical management of engineering teams. You will act as a force multiplier for the Discipline Lead, filling critical gaps in leadership (supporting Discipline Lead & Section Leads), managing discipline-level metrics, and driving the staffing and hiring strategies necessary to meet our growth objectives.
While this role requires a strong foundation in Systems Engineering, the primary focus is on organizational leadership and operational excellence. You will ensure that our engineering teams are properly staffed, mentored, and aligned with business goals, providing the connective tissue that allows our PNT product lines to execute with precision and agility.
Key Responsibilities

• Discipline Operations Leadership: Serve as the chief of staff to the Discipline Lead, managing the day-to-day operational health of the Systems Engineering organization across NSS.
• Cross-Product Leadership & Backfill: Provide agile leadership support across various product lines; act as a surrogate Product Line Discipline Lead (PLDL) or Section Lead when necessary to ensure continuity of execution.
• Resource & Talent Management: Drive the staffing strategy for the discipline, including identifying hiring needs, leading the recruitment process for new talent, and managing the allocation of engineers to maximize program success.
• Performance Metrics & Governance: Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the health and efficiency of the systems engineering process and team productivity.
• Organizational Mentorship: Coach and develop mid-level leads and engineers, focusing on leadership development, critical thinking, and professional growth.
• Execution Oversight: Conduct technical and operational reviews across product lines to identify bottlenecks, risks, or resource gaps, and implement corrective actions to keep programs on track.
• Strategic Alignment: Translate high-level business initiatives into actionable staffing and execution plans, ensuring the discipline is positioned to support the NSS long-term roadmap.
• Inter-Disciplinary Coordination: Collaborate with Hardware, Software, and Program Management leadership to ensure seamless integration of resources and a unified approach to product delivery.
• Process Stewardship: While not the primary driver of tool adoption, you will ensure that the teams are effectively utilizing the established SE standards and processes to maintain quality and consistency.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in a technical field (STEM) and a minimum of 12 years of applicable experience in Systems Engineering or Technical Management.
• Demonstrated experience in a lead role (e.g., PLDL, Section Lead, or Engineering Manager) overseeing multiple complex projects or teams.
• Proven track record of managing resources, staffing, and hiring within a matrixed engineering organization.
• Ability to rapidly "plug in" to a project or product line and provide immediate leadership and direction during transitions or gaps in staffing.
• Experience developing and using metrics to drive operational improvement and report on organizational health.
• Ability to interface effectively with both executive leadership and technical staff, translating business needs into operational reality.
• A "big picture" approach to problem-solving, with the ability to identify systemic issues across the organization and propose scalable solutions.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, or an MBA.
• Experience with Department of War (DoW) program structures and the unique challenges of PNT or similar real-time embedded systems.
• Experience with workforce planning and talent pipeline development.
• Strong understanding of the full systems engineering lifecycle (Requirements through Qualification).
• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $136000 - $231200

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.


About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.