ICBM Futures- SW Engineering Lead

Job Description BAE Systems is seeking a distinguished Senior Principal Software Engineer Technical Lead to join the ICBM Futures Division within the Digital Futures Branch. Our mission is to identify, mature, and transition cutting-edge digital capabilities that accelerate the insertion of emerging technologies in support of the ICBM Directorate. In this pivotal role, you will serve as a technical steward, guiding the development of full-stack engineering capabilities and supporting success across complex, high-stakes environments. You will act as a bridge between vision and execution, collaborating with program leadership, product owners, system engineers, cybersecurity experts, and mission partners to help transform strategic objectives into operational software realities. This position is ideal for a leader who combines expert-level full-stack proficiency with a passion for mentoring teams and navigating the intricacies of DoD digital transformation.

This is a rare opportunity to contribute to a national security-critical weapon system through engineering development, deployment, and sustainment activities. You will help influence the quality and performance of engineering products delivered by hundreds of personnel and assist the Government in acquiring and maintaining an entire weapon system-of-systems. By joining this high-performing team, you will become a trusted mission partner to innovative, digital engineering-driven Air and Space Force organizations responsible for the world’s safest and most effective land-based nuclear deterrent.

BAE Systems is the third-largest defense contractor in the world with an exceptional, mission-focused culture. We believe in investing in our people, offering competitive compensation packages and comprehensive benefits that reflect the high level of expertise our engineers bring to the mission. Our team at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is predominantly aligned with the ICBM Systems Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, supporting the sustainment of the LGM-30 Minuteman III (MM III) and the acquisition of its replacement, the Sentinel ICBM. We are a uniquely valued mission partner delivering daily technical excellence to the Government. BAE Systems has been recognized as a “Top Workplace” in Utah for seven consecutive years, earning special distinction for providing a healthy work-life balance for our employees.

Why Utah? Utah offers an exceptional quality of life with diverse geography and an eclectic culture. Located north of Salt Lake City at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, our area provides an incredible range of outdoor pursuits - from world-class skiing at the 2002 and 2032 Olympic resorts to hiking, boating, and camping. The state is home to five National Parks and is a short drive from the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. With a hub of cutting-edge medical care and an expanding international airport, the region offers a perfect blend of adventure, urban convenience, and a highly favorable cost of living that enhances your overall earning power.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for software engineering activities, offering architecture oversight, implementation guidance, and support for delivery execution while mentoring engineers through code reviews and troubleshooting
• Support the daily flow of engineering activities, including helping with work prioritization, task coordination, and providing technical input to foster professional growth
• Guide the end-to-end lifecycle - design, develop, test, integrate, and deploy - of full-stack applications, encompassing modern front-end frameworks, robust back-end APIs, and enterprise microservices
• Collaborate on the architecture and deployment of scalable applications within AWS, Azure, or hybrid cloud environments, leveraging DevSecOps practices and CI/CD pipelines
• Partner with cross-functional teams to translate customer needs, user stories, and system requirements into scalable, working software capabilities
• Conduct high-level research, prototyping, and analysis to solve complex computational problems, applying data science principles to AI, analytics, cybersecurity, and distributed systems
• Develop technical reports, architectural recommendations, and decision-support materials to assist program leadership and stakeholders
• Contribute to Agile maturity by participating in sprint planning, backlog refinement, technical estimation, and software demonstrations
• Help identify technical risks, delivery blockers, and quality issues, recommending practical mitigation strategies to engineering leadership
• Promote software engineering excellence by encouraging secure coding standards, reusable design patterns, and maintainable architecture Who We're Looking For
• Senior Principal Software Engineer with advanced interpersonal skills and a strong capacity for complex problem-solving
• Customer-focused professional with a demonstrated ability to proactively identify and address client needs
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality results within accelerated timelines and shifting operational priorities
• Expert-level Full-Stack engineering proficiency with a demonstrated history of technical leadership and mentorship

Required Education, Experience, & Skills • BS/MS in Software engineering, computer science, information technologies, Data Processing, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, physics or mathematics

• BS 12 yrs or MS 10 yrs
• At least 6 yrs progressive responsibility in providing technical leadership
• Direct experience in DoD software development
• Experience collaborating with multi-discipline engineering teams to define strategic goals, plan operations, and implement tactical customer guidance
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Active Secret (or higher) security clearance
• US Citizenship status (Pursuant to Government contract)Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills • Cloud Expertise: Professional certification from a major hyperscale Cloud Service Provider (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Full-Stack Development: Proven experience architecting and developing modern web applications using front-end frameworks (Angular, React, Vue) and server-side technologies (Java/Spring Boot, C#/.NET, Python, or Node.js)
• API & Microservices Architecture: Advanced experience designing and integrating RESTful APIs, microservices, and service-oriented application components across complex integration layers
• Data Management: Expertise in relational and NoSQL database design, including data modeling, schema development, and high-level performance tuning and troubleshooting

Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $136000 - $231200

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, Inc.BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

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.