Systems Engineer Lead

Systems Engineering Lead

Senior Level | Westminster, CO | $100,000 - $155,000 | Clearance: Clearance with the ability to obtain SAP

Lead the development and maturation of enterprise-wide Systems Engineering practices that support a rapidly scaling aerospace and defense organization. Drive organizational transformation through Systems Thinking, technical governance, mentorship, and the implementation of standardized engineering processes that improve program execution across the full lifecycle.
A Day in the Life - What you'll do

• Establish and mature a Systems Engineering organization capable of supporting multiple programs across various stages of development, production, and sustainment.
• Develop and implement standardized Systems Engineering processes, templates, and workflows that support Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD), Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), and pre-award capture activities.
• Serve as the organizational champion for Systems Thinking, promoting Systems Engineering principles across engineering, program management, and leadership teams.
• Educate Program Managers, Chief Engineers, and technical stakeholders on Systems Engineering roles, responsibilities, and best practices throughout the program lifecycle.
• Define, implement, and maintain Technical Baseline management processes to ensure consistency, traceability, and technical integrity across programs.
• Lead Engineering Review Boards (ERBs), Configuration Control Boards (CCBs), and other technical governance forums supporting change management and decision-making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to establish requirements management, verification, validation, and technical risk management processes.
• Mentor, coach, and develop junior and mid-level Systems Engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and disciplined engineering practices.
• Assess organizational engineering maturity and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, technical rigor, and program execution.
• Partner with executive leadership to align Systems Engineering strategy with organizational growth objectives and long-term technical roadmaps.
• Support proposal efforts, capture activities, and strategic planning initiatives by providing Systems Engineering expertise during pre-award and business development phases.
• Drive adoption of modern Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and digital engineering capabilities across the enterprise.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or another STEM discipline from an accredited institution.
• 10+ years of Systems Engineering experience supporting complex aerospace, defense, or advanced technology programs.
• Demonstrated experience establishing, building, or significantly maturing a Systems Engineering organization, department, or functional capability.
• Experience developing and implementing Systems Engineering processes, procedures, templates, and governance structures.
• Strong understanding of systems lifecycle processes including requirements development, architecture, verification, validation, configuration management, and technical risk management.
• Experience implementing and managing Technical Baselines and associated change management processes.
• Experience leading or participating in Engineering Review Boards (ERBs), Configuration Control Boards (CCBs), and technical review activities.
• Proven ability to influence organizational culture and drive adoption of Systems Engineering best practices across multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience mentoring, training, and developing engineers at varying experience levels.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage technical teams, program leadership, and executive stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within collaborative, cross-functional engineering environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert-level proficiency in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools.
• Extensive experience using Jama Connect for requirements management, traceability, and lifecycle management.
• Experience supporting aerospace, space, missile defense, autonomous systems, or other highly regulated engineering programs.
• Experience implementing Digital Engineering strategies aligned with DoD modernization initiatives.
• Familiarity with SysML, Cameo Systems Modeler, MagicDraw, or similar MBSE platforms.
• Experience supporting programs across multiple lifecycle phases including pre-award, EMD, LRIP, production, and sustainment.
• Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Engineering Management, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide process improvement and organizational transformation initiatives.
• Knowledge of industry standards including INCOSE Systems Engineering principles and best practices.

Who is Caribou Thunder?

Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners.

35+ states and 20+ countries. We've delivered trusted solutions for over two decades - strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space.
Why Caribou Thunder? TEAM THUNDER - Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve.

• Employee Advocacy
• Mission Proven
• Global Reach
• Skilled Teams
• Modern Tools
• Empowering Culture

Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier - delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments.

We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence - disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions.
Employee Advocacy + Benefits

Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being - knowing their success drives ours.
Benefits include:

• Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with 6% Company Match
• Flexible PTO & Work Schedule
• Education & Certification Reimbursement
• Support for Military Leave
• Work-Life Balance & Traditional Family Values

Your future, your flexibility, your well-being - we invest in you. Apply and let's connect.