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Working at Lockheed Martin

Systems Engineer Senior Staff - Level 5

Palmdale, California

Palmdale, California

Job Responsibilities

Job ID: 721208BR Date posted: Mar. 24, 2026
Description:

You will be the Systems Engineer Senior Staff - Level 5 for the Skunk Works Systems Engineering team which is responsible for advancing cutting‑edge mission systems.

What You Will Be Doing
As the Systems Engineer Senior Staff - Level 5 you will be responsible for leading the development of a new Skunk Works product within a program portfolio, driving technical solutions in a fast‑paced environment.

Your responsibilities will include:
- Guiding engineering personnel in requirements development, decomposition, tracking, and verification.
- Chairing Functional Configuration Audits and leading risk assessments and mitigation efforts.
- Developing supplier specifications, technical plans, and verifying requirements.
- Providing systems and subsystem integration/test support and collaborating with program management.
- Applying Earned Value Measurement Systems (EVMS) and driving technical leadership across product phases.
- Authoring and managing Statements of Work (SOWs) and Engineering Requirements Documents (ERDs) for subcontractors and vendors.

This position is for a senior member of a Skunk Works Systems Engineering team, leading the development of a new Skunk Works product within a program portfolio. The candidate will be part of a fast paced, dynamic environment supporting state of the art technical solutions.

What You Will Be Doing:

  • The successful candidate will have extensive experience across the spectrum of Mission Systems as well as general Systems Engineering activities. The candidate will guide other engineering personnel in the development, decomposition, tracking and verification of requirements, chair Functional Configuration Audits, be an advocate for timely and accurate risk assessments and execute risk abatement efforts. Additional responsibilities include development of supplier specifications, technical planning, and requirements verification. The candidate will provide systems and subsystem integration/test support and will work closely with program management to assure complete program and technical integrity. The candidate will have experience authoring and managing Statements of Work (SOWs) and Engineering Requirements Documents (ERDs) for Subcontracts and Vendors. The candidate should have experience with Earned Value Measurement Systems (EVMS), be an established technical leader, a veteran of systems engineering and/or systems engineering processes, have experience leading elements of a product or system, and have an ability to think creatively and individually. Experience across multiple phases of a product lifecycle, to include development, production, and sustainment is desired.
    Basic Qualifications:
    - Bachelor Or Above from an accredited university in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related engineering degree.

    - Experience leading systems engineering activities and processes in a digital engineering or model-based environment

    - Experience with requirements generation and decomposition, tracking, and verification/validation using the DOORS database tool

    - Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience in customer interactions
    Desired Skills:
    - Ability to work with different engineering disciplines and suppliers to derive, decompose, and verify requirements

    - Experience as a technical team lead or leading an IPT

    - Experience developing a system architecture
    Knowledge of Agile SAFe methodology
    Work experience with operational modeling tools within the confines of a Risk Managed Framework (RMF)
    - Experience with Mission Systems applications
    - Previous integration and test experience
    - Control Account Manager (CAM) experience; CAM-Certification.
    Security Clearance Statement: This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration.
    Clearance Level: Top Secret with Investigation or CV date within 5 years
    Other Important Information You Should Know
    Expression of Interest: By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.
    Ability to Work Remotely: Onsite Full-time: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility.
    Work Schedules: Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.
    Schedule for this Position: 4x10 hour day, 3 days off per week
    Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $128,400 - $226,435. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
    Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
    (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
    This position is incentive plan eligible.
    Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $147,700 - $255,990. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
    Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
    This position is incentive plan eligible.
    Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.
    The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.
    At Lockheed Martin, we use our passion for purposeful innovation to help keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work.

    With our employees as our priority, we provide diverse career opportunities designed to propel, develop, and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. We place an emphasis on empowering our employees by fostering an inclusive environment built upon integrity and corporate responsibility.

    If this sounds like a culture you connect with, you’re invited to apply for this role. Or, if you are unsure whether your experience aligns with the requirements of this position, we encourage you to search on Lockheed Martin Jobs, and apply for roles that align with your qualifications.
    Experience Level: Experienced Professional
    Business Unit: AERONAUTICS COMPANY
    Relocation Available: Possible
    Career Area: Systems Engineering: Design and Verification
    Type: Full-Time
    Shift: First
  • Apply Now

    About

    At Lockheed Martin, we apply our passion for purposeful innovation to keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges.

    Pioneering Defense Technology: From aerospace to outer space to cyber space, you can innovate mission solutions alongside the best minds in the business.

    United By Culture: Excellence, integrity, and collaboration define us. We accelerate change and embrace one another’s perspectives to win for our customers.

    Real Impact, Real Growth: Grow your career and skills for life. Our wide array of opportunities and technology-driven learning programs enable your development and agility.

    Your Health, Your Wealth, Your Life: Competitive pay, comprehensive benefits and flexible schedules designed so you thrive — at work and beyond.

    Empowered to Be Your Best: Use your strengths to make a difference in the lives of one another, our customers, our communities, and our planet.

    Here, the possibilities are endless because we offer:

    • Flexible Schedules, dependent on role
    • Levels: Student, Entry, Mid, Senior, Management
    • Locations: Nationwide & OCONUS Positions

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    Qualifications

    See what it takes to be a successful Lockheed Martin employee.

    • Collaborative

      There is no innovation without imagination. You bring new, different and exciting ideas to the table every day. You are committed to the success of your team.

    • Curious

      The ability to explore and drive new ideas. You think innovatively to come up with creative solutions to complex challenges.

    • Goal-oriented

      From planning and organizing to decision making, goal orientation produces impactful results. You set goals and strive to make things happen quickly and efficiently.

    • Proactive

      The ability to anticipate, plan and prepare for what lies ahead. You act rather than react to potential situations.

    • Problem Solver

      You work to tackle tough problems with complex solutions.

    • Strategic

      You observe, reflect and analyze processes to make more informed decisions.

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    Quote

    “Before I came to Lockheed Martin, I never thought I’d get these opportunities. The benefits available and the company’s value culture make it an incredibly supportive place to work, and I’m grateful to work somewhere that wants me to succeed. I hope to have a long career here making an impact, and I know I’ll be supported in doing that every step of the way.”

    Ryan J., Enterprise Operations

    Benefits

    • Healthcare

      Medical, Dental and Vision coverage is available for employees who opt-in.

    • 401(k)/Retirement Plans

      Our 401(k) plan features generous matching and company contributions.

    • Professional Development

      We support our employees through mentoring, internal & external educational programs, networking, skills enhancement and career-building programs.

    • Maternity and Paternity Leave

      Our generous parental leave policies support your journey into parenthood. When you return to work, our facilities offer mother's rooms to support your transition and work/life balance.

    • Paid Time Off

      We offer PTO, paid holidays and paid time off for jury duty and military obligations.

    • Flex-time

      Depending on the position, we offer flexible work schedules.

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