Principal Weapons Systems Integration Engineer

Position Summary

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Lethality / Turret Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead to join the engineering team. This role will serve as the primary focal point and technical authority for turret integration and lethality on the Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle (ARV) program. The SME will act as the Working Group Lead, interfacing directly with United States Government (USG) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) counterparts. This role is critical to the successful platform integration of the Kongsberg 30mm Turret, as well as leading the complex integration of the Javelin anti-tank guided missile system.

Key Responsibilities

• IPT / Working Group Leadership: Act as the IPT Lead for all lethality and turret-related initiatives, representing the engineering team in technical exchanges, design reviews, and working groups with USG/USMC counterparts.
• Systems & Data Integration Authority: Lead the technical integration of the 30mm Turret architecture with the vehicle platform. Ensure critical data interoperability, managing the secure and effective exchange of information between the turret control systems and the platform's overarching software and sensor architecture.
• Javelin Integration: Drive the engineering strategy, structural integration, and software coordination required for successfully integrating the Javelin missile system onto the platform.
• Subcontractor & Vendor Management: Act as the primary technical liaison to manage the supplier of the 30mm turret (Kongsberg (KDA)). Support and lead vendor visits, evaluate technical deliverables, and ensure the turret interfaces correctly with platform power, data, and mechanical systems.
• Cost & Schedule Management: Act as the Control Account Manager (CAM) for the lethality and turret integration scope, managing budgets, tracking schedule performance, and ensuring project milestones are met during the PPD phase.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Integrate seamlessly with the broader ARV PPD design effort, coordinating across structural, electrical, software, and systems engineering disciplines to ensure lethality requirements are implemented effectively without compromising vehicle performance, weight, or power constraints.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a closely related field. (Extensive, highly specialized military experience at a senior level may be evaluated in lieu of strict degree requirements).
• Experience (Level IV): Minimum of 9+ years of relevant engineering or technical experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 7+ years with a Master’s degree.
• Experience (Level V): Minimum of 14+ years of relevant engineering or technical experience with a Bachelor’s degree, or 12+ years with a Master’s degree.
• Industry Background: Demonstrated experience within the defense or ground combat vehicle industry, specifically with medium-caliber turreted systems, weapon station integration, and vehicle software/sensor architectures.
• Communication: Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to present complex technical data and programmatic updates to government customers, subcontractors, and internal leadership.
• Clearance: Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Military Experience: Prior highly specialized USMC experience is strongly preferred. Candidates with a background as a Master Gunnery Sergeant (or equivalent senior SNCO/Warrant Officer roles) with deep operational and technical expertise in ground combat lethality systems are highly encouraged to apply.
• Platform Experience: Direct experience with marine and amphibious combat vehicles, tactical wheeled vehicles, or specifically integrating remote weapon stations/turrets.
• Domain Expertise: Deep technical knowledge of turret integration, fire control systems, multi-sensor data fusion, and guided missile integration.
• Program Management: Prior experience serving as a CAM (Control Account Manager) utilizing Earned Value Management (EVM) principles, and experience leading major defense vendor/supplier relationships.
• System Lifecycle: Familiarity with transitioning vehicle variants from prototype builds into low-rate or pre-production manufacturing.

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