Chief Autonomy Flight & Simulation Software Engineer

Boeing•St. Louis, MO

2d•$198,050 - $267,950•Onsite

About The Position

The Boeing Company is seeking a Chief Autonomy Flight & Simulation Software Engineer to lead reusable autonomy software development on our Phantom Works team in Hazelwood, MO. Phantom Works is where imagination meets engineering excellence — a place where bold ideas are shaped to transform the future of defense. Driven by curiosity and relentless problem-solving, our team pushes boundaries across aerospace, autonomy, emerging technologies and advanced materials to create breakthrough capabilities that keep people and warfighters safe, and missions successful. With a culture of collaboration, integrity, and rigorous testing, Phantom Works transforms daring concepts into trusted, operational solutions that inspire confidence and expand what’s possible in the skies and beyond. As the Chief Engineer for Phantom Works Autonomy Flight and Simulation Software, you will own the reusable software, architectures, standards-based interfaces, and infrastructure that enable autonomy development from simulation through flight demonstration. You will provide technical leadership across virtual, hardware-in-the-loop, surrogate, and in-flight environments - accelerating reuse, compressing integration timelines, and improving flight readiness across Boeing Defense programs. This position requires an Active U.S. Secret Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship. This role spans Phantom Works, Boeing Defense programs, suppliers, and customers. You will define architecture, integrate advanced autonomy software, validate mission-critical capabilities, and support demonstrations that shape Boeing's autonomy future. If you are ready to bridge the gap between simulation and real flight on advanced defense platforms, we want you on our autonomy software team. Build your Future with Us.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance
14 years of software engineering experience
2+ years of experience modeling defense aircraft subsystems such as sensors, communications or stores management
2+ years of experience with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM) and/or the Next Generation Threat System (NGTS)
2+ years of experience supporting flight test and/or live aerospace demonstrations
6+ years of experience of technical team leadership experience
U.S. Citizenship required for security clearance eligibility.

Nice To Haves

Level 5 / Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science and 14+ years of related work experience OR Bachelor’s Degree and 18+ years of directly related work experience OR 22+ years of related, relevant experience
3 years’ experience with autonomous systems and/or autonomy techniques
Experience developing mission systems software on aircraft platforms
5 years’ experience in integrating complex applications on Windows platforms
5 years’ experience in integrating complex applications on Linux platforms
5 years of Python software development experience
10 years of C++ development experience
Strong communication, consensus-building, conflict resolution, and active listening skills
Domain knowledge of Mission Systems Software development
Real-time software development experience
Experience with Git and version control, CI/CD; Agile, DevSecOps and complex build/release plans
Experience serving as a software architect or chief engineer
Experience developing and testing software in cloud-based environments

Responsibilities

Serve as single-point technical authority for autonomy flight and simulation software architecture, interfaces, and shared infrastructure across the BDS autonomy portfolio
Direct technical strategy for reusable autonomy software from simulation through flight demonstration; govern standards-based interfaces, toolchains, and shared infrastructure investments
Drive reuse across programs and platforms (MQ-28, MQ-25, CxR, Insitu, VWC, proprietary BDS programs) to compress integration timelines, reduce NRE, and improve flight readiness
Coordinate across Phantom Works, BDS Test Bed Office, Aurora Flight Sciences, Boeing Defense Australia, BDS, and BTI to align simulation, test, and flight software development
Lead technical execution for high-visibility demonstrations and fleet exercises, including multi-vehicle Group 2–5 UAV and surrogate operations
Prioritize portfolio-level investments in shared flight and simulation software; accept technical risk within the domain on behalf of the portfolio
Ensure compatibility and readiness across virtual, hardware-in-the-loop, surrogate, and in-flight environments
Manage day-to-day technical direction for ~10 engineers; mentor early-career talent and establish engineering best practices
Establish and continuously improve software workflows, change control, security processes, and software assurance across the portfolio
Coordinate with customers, program leadership, software teams, and flight/test organizations to support integration labs, test assets, and flight test planning and execution