Lead Systems Engineer (Hybrid)

Company Overview:

VALT Enterprizes, Inc. is revolutionizing aerospace with cutting-edge hypersonic research and development to pioneer America’s first-of-its-kind hypersonic launch system, combining rocket and air-breathing propulsion to empower our nation’s warfighters with the tools they need to safeguard our country. We envision a world where access to space is no longer a privilege for the few but an opportunity for all. Our team is driven by data, fueled by passion, and united by a shared commitment to innovation and resilience. Challenges are embraced head-on in a culture that values creativity, determination, and collaboration. Join us in shaping the future of aerospace and making history – together.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Lead Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership for systems engineering activities supporting complex aerospace and defense programs. In this role, you will lead systems engineering efforts across the full product lifecycle, including requirements definition and management, system architecture, interface management, integration planning, technical risk management, verification, validation, testing, and qualification.

Working across engineering, program management, manufacturing, quality, and customer teams, you will apply deep systems engineering expertise and exercise independent technical judgment to address complex system-level challenges, guide technical decision-making, and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering activities. You will serve as a systems engineering subject matter expert for internal leadership, customers, suppliers, and government stakeholders while helping ensure technical requirements, risks, and program objectives remain aligned throughout development and execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead systems engineering planning and execution for complex aerospace and defense programs from concept development through integration, testing, verification, validation, and qualification
• Develop, manage, and maintain system requirements, derived requirements, verification methods, and requirements traceability throughout the engineering lifecycle
• Lead system architecture definition, trade studies, interface control, risk assessments, and technical decision-making across complex hardware, software, propulsion, guidance, control, and test systems
• Exercise independent technical judgment in evaluating complex system-level challenges, technical alternatives, and engineering tradeoffs and develop recommendations that influence program and technical outcomes
• Lead technical risk management activities, including risk identification, analysis, mitigation planning, tracking, retirement criteria, and communication of technical risks to program leadership and customer stakeholders
• Maintain program risk registers and coordinate cost, schedule, technical, safety, and qualification risk inputs across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and program management teams
• Lead and coordinate integrated product teams and cross-functional engineering disciplines to ensure technical performance, system-level alignment, schedule coordination, and effective program execution
• Support system integration, ground testing, flight testing, qualification planning, anomaly resolution, and post-test data review, applying findings to inform technical decisions and system development
• Lead the development of system specifications, verification matrices, interface control documents, test plans, reports, technical review packages, and customer deliverables
• Serve as a technical point of contact and systems engineering subject matter expert for internal leadership, customers, suppliers, and government stakeholders
• Mentor systems engineers and lead the development and continuous improvement of scalable systems engineering processes, tools, standards, and best practices across programs

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering, or a closely related technical discipline from an accredited institution
• 10+ years of professional systems engineering experience supporting complex technical programs, including significant experience in a technical leadership role
• Demonstrated expertise applying disciplined systems engineering practices, including requirements management, architecture development, interface definition, integration, verification, validation, and technical risk management
• Demonstrated experience serving as a technical lead or systems engineering lead on complex multidisciplinary aerospace, defense, or high-reliability engineering programs
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent technical judgment, evaluate complex system-level challenges and engineering tradeoffs, and develop technically sound recommendations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical documentation and communicate complex technical information to leadership, customers, government stakeholders, and cross-functional teams
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced research, development, test, and evaluation environment with evolving requirements and high technical complexity
• U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret-level security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in systems engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field
• Experience with missile systems, rocket systems, hypersonic systems, propulsion systems, or related aerospace and defense platforms
• Experience supporting missile or rocket system design, development, integration, testing, verification, validation, and qualification activities
• Familiarity with solid rocket motors, propulsion subsystem interfaces, guidance and control systems, flight test planning, ground test operations, or energetic materials development environments
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digital engineering, requirements management tools, simulation environments, or configuration-controlled technical baselines
• INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional certification, including ASEP, CSEP, or ESEP
• Experience supporting government aerospace and defense customers, defense acquisition programs, or regulated technical development environments