Engineering Manager III – Space Vehicle Systems Test – 20K Sign on Bonus

Job Description

Minimum $20,000 Sign On Bonus being offered for external hires.

We are seeking a dedicated Functional Engineering Manager who recognizes that validating mission-critical flight hardware starts with supporting the people doing the work. In this role, you will balance technical stewardship with a people-first leadership philosophy. Your primary metric of success is not merely the speed of delivery, but the delivery of high-quality, well-vetted products achieved through high retention, psychological safety, and the continuous professional growth of your engineering team.

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 Youll Do:

• People Management (Primary Responsibilities): Career architecture, personal growth plans, technical mentorship alignment, and overall team health.
• Programmatic Execution (Secondary Focus): Lead or support program test execution, manage technical roadmaps, and ensure engineers have the necessary resources and sustainable workloads to meet the programs milestones.
• Scaling Note: The current role is split 50% People Management and 50% Programmatic Execution. As the span of control increases, the primary success metric shifts toward team health and retention over direct programmatic execution.
  • (Example: ~20 direct reports = 50/50 split; ~30 direct reports = 75% People Management / 25% Execution).
• Develop the Engineers: Functionally manage a team of approximately 20 Space Vehicle Test Engineers. Support personalized career advancement tracks, conduct performance reviews, and champion team wellness.
• Build a High-Trust Culture: Cultivate an environment centered on psychological safety. Because flight hardware testing involves high-stakes anomalies, you will ensure the team feels empowered to pause testing, speak up, and collaborate openly.
• Support the Pipeline: Partner with talent acquisition to source, interview, and onboard engineering talent, ensuring seamless integration into the company culture.
• Program & Resource Alignment: Act as the technical touchpoint for Project Managers and Mission Leadership. Ensure that the project progresses in the right direction with the appropriate engineering resources. Support program execution as required or the capture of new business.
• 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.

Short Term Incentive: Subject to business performance and recommendations of management, this role may be eligible to participate in an incentive compensation plan.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 12 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Masters 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 Top Secret security clearance is required with ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI.
• Domain Familiarity: Background in an engineering or testing environment for high-reliability hardware (Aerospace, Space Systems, or Defense).
• Empathy-Driven Leadership: Exceptional emotional intelligence (EQ), active listening skills, and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics.
• Career Pathing & Coaching: Proven ability to build career ladders, identify individual motivators, and guide engineers through professional milestones.
• Advocacy & Influence: Excellent communication skills to advocate for team health and bandwidth during demanding delivery schedules.

#LI-AP1

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• 2+ years of direct people management experience with a track record of coaching and leading technical talent.
• Experience in the testing of spacecraft, space vehicles, and related components.
• Experience scaling engineering teams through periods of organizational growth.
• Previous experience as a practicing Test or Hardware Engineer.
• Experience implementing modern peer-mentorship programs or engineering competency frameworks.
• Familiarity with engineering performance management tools and continuous feedback frameworks.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $153377 - $260743

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 the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but its what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a teammaking a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, youll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.

Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for government and commercial customers. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.

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.

Multiple positions may be available on this opening.