Standard Job Description
The Tactical Infrared Search and Track (TacIRST) 5th Gen chief engineer provides technical leadership for the development, integration, and fielding of infrared threat‑warning technology across all 5th gen fighter platforms. Reporting to the TacIRST Program chief engineer, you will partner with senior engineers, program managers, and the U.S. Government (USG) customer base to ensure seamless delivery of TacIRST capabilities— to a multiple air vehicles. Your work will directly impact warfighter survivability and mission success across multiple services and allies.
Key Responsibilities
• Define system architecture and guide the end to end integration of hardware, electronics, and signal processing algorithms.
• Lead technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, Qualification, System Verification & Test, FCA) and ensure compliance with performance, reliability, and safety requirements.
• Drive trade study analyses and design to cost decisions across all platform variants.
• Oversee integration of the TacIRST product line into 5th Gen platforms.
• Coordinate cross functional IPTs (Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Test, Logistics) to align schedules, interfaces, and certification milestones.
• Serve as the principal LM point of contact for USG customers on TacIRST technical matters.
• Lead customer briefings, status updates, technical interchange meetings, and readiness reviews.
• Develop detailed program plans, schedules, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensure appropriate E&T staffing and resource allocation across the portfolio.
• Partner with Engineering Excellence leadership to meet all program milestones on time.
• Identify, track, and mitigate technical risks; participate in Failure Review Boards, Risk Management Reviews, and Mission Success Reviews.
• Mentor junior engineers; promote a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and full spectrum leadership (technical, people, business, strategic).
Chief Engineer Job Description
Accountable for all aspects of engineering and technology activities within a program, program area, or line of business to ensure mission milestones and business objectives are met. Serves as the primary technical authority / technical interface with internal program management and external customers. Ensures proposals have sound technical solutions and schedules and drive affordability. Leads a technical team of cross functional engineers to ensure successful proper system/product development and execution. Evaluates and ensures complex issues are resolved in a cost effective, innovative way. Champion mission success and drive a mission success culture. Directs a team into exploration of new problem solution areas with novel concepts and approaches, guiding scope definition and prioritizing problems for investigation. Determine appropriate risk posture and develop mitigation strategies for complex projects. Ensure selected designs are robust and include appropriate margins to facilitate safety, performance, producibility and operational availability/supportability. Ensures program plans and technical baselines are consistent with Program Control processes and Modern Engineering Practices. Responsible for key decision making that impact businesses, the failure to achieve the objectives result in critical impact of program capabilities. Ensures identification of lessons learned, and corrective action are initiated and implemented to improve future and ongoing programs. Provides technical mentoring and career development support of team and allocates resources effectively. Leads and directs the technical execution efforts of the program or LOB.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, or Aerospace Engineering (or related field) from an accredited institution.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in infrared sensor/optics design, signal processing, and threat warning system development.
- Proven track record leading technology from concept through production for at least two distinct platform families.
- Hands on experience with IR sensor integration, thermal management, and calibration/validation.
- Ability to plan, execute, and transition complex systems through SRR → PDR → CDR → Qualification → Production.
- Strong people leadership skills; experience guiding cross functional teams (≥ 50 members) and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Excellent oral and written communication; comfortable presenting to senior leadership, USG customers, and international partners.
- Active Secret clearance (with ability to obtain Top Secret).
- Ability to travel domestically for customer visits, supplier audits, and test range activities.
Desired Skills
Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in a relevant engineering discipline.
Prior experience at Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control or a comparable defense contractor.
Familiarity with export controlled (ITAR/EAR) hardware development and CUI handling.
Experience managing subcontractor technical performance and integrating external hardware.
Knowledge of Full Spectrum Leadership principles and demonstrated application in a defense technology environment.
Proven success leading Failure Analysis, Failure Review Boards, and corrective action programs.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $182500.00 - $338900.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed 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(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
- For (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.