Principal Engineer - CONOPS

Job Description

Bridge the Gap Between Concept and Capability.

Are you a Systems Engineer who looks beyond the technical specifications to ask, "How will the operator actually use this in the field?"

Join the Mission Engineering team within BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems (SMS). We are seeking an engineer to lead the development of the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for the next generation of defense, intelligence, and civil aerospace systems. In this role, you will be responsible for defining the "Day in the Life" (DITL) of a system-translating high-level mission goals into a detailed operational roadmap that ties the initial design to the final implementation.

From launch through the end-of-life of a spacecraft, you will define how the system operates, how it performs its mission, and how it interacts with ground teams. This is a high-visibility position where your operational planning directly influences the design of discriminating technologies that ensure the success of our customers'' most critical missions.

You will serve as the technical lead for operational analysis, ensuring that every system we build is optimized for the environment in which it operates.

The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers' missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.

What You'll Do:

• Operational Planning & Mission Design:
• Develop Mission CONOPS: Create comprehensive operational guides and visual representations that explain how a system will perform its mission across the space, air, and ground domains.
• Design "Day in the Life" (DITL) Plans: Develop detailed operational sequences that map out exactly how the customer will utilize the system throughout its entire lifecycle, from launch to decommissioning.
• Integrate Design and Implementation: Act as a primary link between the technical design and the final implementation, ensuring the system is built to support the required operational workflows.
• Model the Mission: Leverage Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and advanced modeling and simulation (M&S) to analyze tactical and surveillance missions and validate operational plans.
• Drive Decision Making: Execute complex trade studies to provide the critical data necessary for customers to make high-stakes design and operational decisions.
• Strategic Growth & Collaboration:
• Shape New Business: Partner with new business teams to develop operational concepts that solve unmet customer needs, directly influencing the company''s technology roadmap.
• Drive IRAD Innovation: Contribute to Internal Research and Development (IRAD) efforts, turning emerging technology trends into viable mission capabilities.
• Customer Partnership: Act as a primary technical point of contact for customers, translating their operational challenges into engineering solutions.
• Proposal Leadership: Support the technical development of proposals, ensuring our operational concepts are both innovative and executable.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
• May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
• May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Core Requirements:

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 6 or more years related experience.

• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.

• A current, active Secret security clearance is required with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI.

• Technical Mastery:

• Mission Concept Development: Demonstrated experience developing and analyzing end-to-end mission concepts, including the integration of space, launch, and ground segments.

• Operational Depth: Comprehensive knowledge of operations across the full system hierarchy, including Segment, Space Vehicle (SV), Bus, Payload, and Ground levels.

• MBSE Proficiency: Experience utilizing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Digital Systems to define CONOPS through the creation of activity diagrams, functional models, and modes/states.

• Systems Engineering Process: Proven expertise in the full systems engineering lifecycle, including:

• Requirement development and allocation.

• Concept of Operations (CONOPS) definition.

• Change management.

• Verification and Validation (V&V).

• System-Level Thinking: Ability to analyze the "big picture," specifically how the behavioral aspects of a collection segment enable overall mission objectives.

• Leadership & Strategic Influence:

• Technical Orchestration: Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams within complex business environments to achieve critical project milestones.

• Customer Stewardship: Proven track record of managing relationships with critical customer bases and maintaining established connections with key personnel within the customer community.

• Executive Communication: Exceptional presentation skills with documented experience delivering technical briefings and operational plans to senior decision-makers and technical audiences.

#LI-NP1Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Mission Operations: Proficiency in the Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) cycle.
• Modeling & Simulation Toolset: Hands-on experience with industry-standard tools such as STK, AFSIM, Cameo, or other advanced modeling and simulation software.
• Lifecycle Expertise: Demonstrated experience managing operations across all mission phases, including Launch, Checkout & Initialization, Normal Operations, Maintenance, Anomaly Resolution, and End-of-Life Decommissioning.
• Hardware Execution: Proven experience in full-lifecycle hardware program execution, from early planning and design reviews through manufacture, assembly, integration, testing, sell-off, and on-orbit mission operations.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $118095 - $200762

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 Space & Mission Systems 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.