Missile Systems Engineer Level IV

K ’s National Security Solutions team provides high-end engineering and advanced technology solutions to our customers in the intelligence and national security communities. In this position, your work will have a profound impact on the country’s most critical role – protecting our national security.

Innovative Projects: K ’s work is at the forefront of engineering, logistics, operations, science, program management, mission IT and cybersecurity solutions.

Collaborative Environment:
Be part of a dynamic team that thrives on collaboration and innovation, fostering a supportive and intellectually stimulating workplace.

Impactful Work:
Your contributions will be pivotal in designing and optimizing defense systems that ensure national security and shape the future of space defense.

This is a contingent position based upon contract award.

The Missile Systems Engineer Level IV provides advanced technical leadership in the design, integration, and lifecycle management of missile and weapon systems supporting U.S. Government programs. This role spans system architecture, requirements development, integration, test, and mission execution across complex, high-performance defense systems.

• Lead design, development, and integration of missile and weapon systems
• Develop and manage system and subsystem requirements with full traceability
• Conduct system-level trade studies and performance analyses
• Support guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), propulsion, structures, and payload integration
• Support design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR) and provide technical recommendations
• Lead verification and validation (V&V) activities for system requirements
• Support integration, test, and evaluation (I&T), including flight testing
• Interface with government customers, stakeholders, and subcontractors
• Resolve technical issues and provide engineering solutions
• Prepare and present technical briefings, reports, and documentation

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred)
• 8–12+ years of experience in missile systems or aerospace engineering
• Experience with system design, integration, and analysis
• Familiarity with missile subsystems (GNC, propulsion, structures, avionics)
• Experience supporting DoD or defense programs
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Experience supporting missile flight testing programs
• Knowledge of hypersonic or high-speed weapon systems
• Familiarity with MBSE or digital engineering tools
• Leadership or task lead experience

Active Secret required (TS/SCI preferred or eligible)

On-site/hybrid environment supporting office, lab, and test facilities with occasional travel to test ranges and launch sites.

$135,600 - $186,400 This range is for the Washington DC area only. The offered rate will be based on the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities and/or experience and in consideration of internal parity.

K  may offer bonuses, commissions, or other forms of compensation to certain job titles or levels, per internal policy or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be in the form of sign on bonus, relocation benefits, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

K  is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or…