Lead SkyTower Systems Engineer

JOB SUMMARY

Specialty Systems, Inc. is seeking a motivated and experienced Lead SkyTower Systems Engineer to support a NAVAIR-led U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9 program focused on SkyTower I and SkyTower II engineering efforts. This position provides technical leadership for the design, integration, testing, and fielding of airborne network extension and communications relay capabilities that support distributed and expeditionary operations.

The Lead Systems Engineer will serve as the technical authority and team lead for a multidisciplinary engineering team supporting systems engineering, software integration, networking, and test activities. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience in software-intensive systems, networked mission systems, and DoD acquisition programs while thriving in a collaborative environment working directly with government engineers, operators, and industry partners.

This position supports activities at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Executive Office, Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO(U&W)) located in Patuxent River, MD. Responsibilities include supporting the integration, testing, sustainment, and certification of SkyTower capabilities on the MQ-9 platform while ensuring interoperability, mission effectiveness, and compliance with performance and safety standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership - SkyTower I & II

• Serve as the Lead Systems Engineer supporting MQ-9 SkyTower I and SkyTower II capabilities
• Own system requirements, architecture, interfaces, and technical trade studies
• Ensure system designs meet operational requirements for airborne network extension, relay, and gateway functions
• Support both legacy capability sustainment and next-generation development/integration efforts

Team Leadership & Execution

• Lead and coordinate a team of systems, software, and integration engineers
• Assign engineering tasks, manage priorities, and ensure technical deliverables meet cost, schedule, and performance objectives
• Mentor engineers and promote sound systems engineering practices

Systems Integration

• Lead integration activities across:
  • MQ-9 air vehicle and pod interfaces
  • Mission Computing Environment (MCE)
  • Common Control Environment (CCE) and Ground Control Stations
  • Tactical data links and joint networks
• Support lab integration, ground testing, flight testing, and operational assessment activities
• Develop and support airworthiness and certification documentation
• Verify hardware interface documentation and manage test data to support technical reviews
• Support development of technical manuals, training documentation, and sustainment artifacts

Customer & Program Engagement

• Interface regularly with NAVAIR, PMA-266 Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), and USMC stakeholders
• Support technical interchange meetings, design reviews, and test readiness reviews
• Identify and manage technical risks, dependencies, and integration challenges
• Collaborate closely with program managers, engineers, test teams, and industry partners to ensure successful program execution

QUALIFICATIONS :

Required Qualifications

• Must be a US Citizen.
• Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret/SCI.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline
• 10+ years of experience in systems engineering or software intensive defense programs
• Experience with networked mission systems, communications, or data link integration
• Prior experience leading engineering teams or serving as a technical lead
• Strong understanding of:
  • Systems engineering lifecycle and V model execution
  • Requirements management and interface control
  • Software intensive system integration
• Comfortable making technical decisions in a fast moving acquisition environment
• Strong communication skills with both engineers and senior government stakeholders
• Mission focused, collaborative, and customer oriented mindset

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering
• Certification in Systems Engineering
• Experience with NAVAIR Systems Engineering Technical Review (SETR) process.
• Familiarity with DoD aviation development, production, sustainment, and/or testing
• Knowledge of U.S. Government, DoD, and/or USN correspondence development practices, along with the ability to write formal engineering reports and construct briefing materials using MS Office tools (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Direct experience with MQ 9, Predator class UAS, or similar Group 4/5 UAS platforms
• Familiarity with airborne gateway, relay, or network extension concepts
• NAVAIR, USMC, or USAF acquisition program experience with knowledge of:
  • Open systems architectures (MOSA)
  • Modular payload integration
  • Agile/DevSecOps
• Prior experience supporting PMA 266 or Marine Corps aviation programs
• Active TS/SCI or SCI eligible clearance

Specialty Systems, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws and offers equal opportunity for VEVRAA Protected Veterans. Specialty Systems, Inc. will not discriminate against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose compensation information.

Reasonable accommodation that do not cause an undue hardship on the company may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions, as long as that would not hinder or prevent performance of duties or be of a safety concern.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand and walk. The employee may be required to move ten pounds and could occasionally lift or move up to twenty-five pounds.

Disclaimer: The listed duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of primary duties and responsibilities.