SDN Backbone Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer

Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security and our humanity. While others view space as a destination, we see it as a realm of possibilities, where we can do more – we can innovate, invest, inspire and integrate our capabilities to transform the future. At Lockheed Martin Space, we harness the full potential of space to cultivate innovation, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of what technology can achieve.

We are creating future‑ready solutions, focusing on resiliency and urgency through our 21st Century Security® vision, erasing boundaries, forming partnerships across industries and around the world, advancing spacecraft and the workforce, and reimagining how space can connect us to ensure security and prosperity.

This position is contingent upon contract award to Lockheed Martin. The estimated award date is August 2026. The selected applicant will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Any job offers extended will include a contingency clause stating that the offer is dependent on Lockheed Martin securing the contract.

• Ensure technical integrity of the system and assigned products to meet the customer's needs within the program’s cost and schedule constraints.
• Lead all technical activities on the program and assigned initiatives as the senior technical professional.
• Promote best practices and engineering process execution and improvement across the program.
• Leverage LM Space’s full capabilities and support enterprise initiatives.
• Act as the primary technical authority on the program, responsible for 100 % mission success.
• Drive top‑level technical issue resolution and chair key Failure Review Boards (FRBs), Engineering Review Boards (ERBs), and Critical Integration Reviews (CIRs).
• Lead a cross‑functional technical team of Mechanical and Electrical Systems Engineers to ensure successful product and system development throughout the program life cycle.
• Serve as the system’s Executive Certified Principal Engineer (CPE) and define the CPE hierarchy and product certification approach.
• Ensure standard technical methods are used and implement appropriate engineering processes aligned to mission success and the program profile.
• Approve any waivers to engineering processes in coordination with the appropriate functional department.
• Act as the technical conscience of the program or product area.
• Support Mission Segment CE and Line of Business strategic direction.
• Provide timely communications with LM leadership, contextualizing events and issues by relative risk, impact, and implication.
• Serve as a key point of contact and advocate for the Engineering team with program management, other program segments/IPTs, external partners, and subcontractors.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience as a technical lead for hardware or software development with one or more subsystems or disciplines.
• Experience driving subcontractor technical activities from proposal through final delivery and certification.
• Demonstrated experience with design reviews, integration, and test.
• Demonstrated ability to drive closure and resolve technical issues/challenges.
• Detailed knowledge of engineering and program planning throughout development, design, build, test, and integration phases.
• U.S. citizenship required to maintain or obtain Secret clearance.

• Experience as CPE or RSE.
• Prior experience as a Lockheed Martin Space Chief Engineer.
• Experience working as an Electrical Systems Engineer, Mechanical Systems Engineer, or Spacecraft Systems Engineer, or defining and/or testing hardware and hardware/software interfaces.
• Experience interfacing and partnering with government customers.
• Experience across multiple life‑cycle phases including development, production, test, and operations.
• Knowledge and application of engineering processes and Command Media.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong social skills, and ability to build consensus among peers while building solid…