Systems Engineer - Design & Development - Hybrid

General Dynamics Mission Systems develops high-technology solutions for defense and scientific missions. The Advanced Systems Engineer 3 will provide senior technical leadership for the D5LE2 program across the full systems engineering life cycle, including MBSE, digital engineering, architecture, requirements, integration, verification, and validation, while mentoring junior engineers and supporting strategic deterrence objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Lead systems engineering activities including requirements analysis, definition, and management, functional analysis, performance analysis, system design, trade studies, integration and test (verification), validation, and interface definition for D5LE2 subsystems and system elements
• Drive MBSE and digital engineering strategy, developing and maintaining system architectures, models, and designs using Cameo/MagicDraw and DOORS in support of upcoming D5LE2 program milestones
• Apply expert-level critical thinking to identify, analyze, and resolve system design weaknesses; serve as a technical decision-maker for complex engineering trade-offs
• Perform and oversee technical planning, cost and risk analyses, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for subsystems and system elements
• Guide the successful completion of major programs and projects; contribute to program milestone reviews and gate decisions
• Develop and allocate system requirements to lower-level elements; lead customer requirements analysis and negotiation in alignment with D5LE2 objectives
• Conduct detailed technical analyses; evaluate vendor products, COTS, GFE/CFE, specifications to determine feasibility and inform design decisions
• Design complete and complex frameworks, systems, or products that set architectural direction
• Evaluate systems to ensure designs meet governmental security specifications; lead system accreditation/certification efforts and develop security documentation
• Support and lead Modeling and Simulation activities aligned with program objectives
• Generate and review technical engineering products; ensure quality and compliance with standards, processes, and tools (T9001, SPALT, peer review)
• Provide leadership, direction, and mentoring to lower-level employees; support talent development within the D5LE2 team
• Maintain awareness of technology trends relevant to the D5LE2 mission domain and strategic deterrence
• Identify opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation
• Build and maintain productive internal and external working relationships with customer, program office, and cross-functional teams

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree, plus a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience
• Must be able to obtain a Department of Defense Secret security clearance in a reasonable amount of time
• U.S. citizenship is required
• Candidate must be able to travel to the Pittsfield, MA office once every 3 weeks
• Proven track record leading complex systems engineering efforts across the full development life cycle
• Highly proficient with MBSE tools and methodologies, with experience driving model-based deliverables on real programs
• Technical leader who mentors junior engineers and builds team capability
• Strong communicator and negotiator who influences customer requirements and drives win-win outcomes
• Understanding of program management principles (Earned Value, CAM, SPI/CPI) and their intersection with engineering execution
• Strong software or computing architecture background as foundation in Systems Engineering
• Commitment to shaping engineering processes and tools for continuous improvement
• Highly proficient understanding and application of systems engineering principles, concepts, and theories in a complex, safety-critical program environment
• Highly proficient knowledge of the system development life cycle from concept through disposal, with demonstrated experience leading all phases on a major defense or strategic weapons program
• Highly proficient with system modeling tools (Cameo/MagicDraw, DOORS) and recognized architectural patterns (SysML, DoDAF); proven experience driving MBSE methodologies on program deliverables
• Strong command of digital engineering concepts and their application to program workflows, model management, configuration control, and authoritative sources of truth
• Strong background in software development, or computing architecture (distributed or cloud systems, virtual machines)
• Expert-level critical thinking: demonstrated ability to analyze complex, multi-dimensional problems, evaluate alternatives, and independently determine and execute sound solutions
• Highly proficient in requirements management tools and Microsoft Office applications
• Highly proficient written and verbal communication skills; ability to present to senior leadership, customers, and cross-functional audiences
• Understanding and application of project leadership principles including SPI/CPI, Earned Value, Cost Account Management (CAM), and Statistical Process Controls
• Ability to build productive internal and external working relationships; effective negotiation skills with customers and stakeholders
• Ability to sell concepts and ideas, influence direction, and drive consensus on technical approach
• Shows initiative, exercises expert independent judgment, and professionally leads projects to completion
• Awareness of safety and surety principles and their critical role in strategic weapons system engineering