Lead Systems Engineer

Battelle • Columbus, OH

5d • $128,800 - $183,600 • Hybrid

About The Position

Battelle is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer for a full-time position located in Columbus, Ohio. The selected candidate will lead advanced systems engineering research and analysis, oversee quality-control reviews, analyze requirements and system performance, and prepare and review technical documents. The role applies expert-level systems engineering principles to highly complex assignments and collaborates with engineers, technical specialists, project teams, and clients.

The Lead Systems Engineer will direct system architecture, interface definition, integration, verification, validation, and test-planning activities. The position also provides technical leadership and direction to engineers and technical support staff to help ensure project work meets schedule, budget, and quality expectations. The role may include supporting conferences, peer-review panels, publications, and other activities that increase Battelle’s visibility.

The position requires a related bachelor’s degree and eight years of experience, a related master’s degree and five years of experience, a PhD with relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The candidate must be a U.S. citizen able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance. The salary range is $128,800–$183,600 per year, with compensation depending on factors including education, relevant experience, skills, certifications, geographic location, and market conditions.

Battelle describes a hybrid flexibility model of 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, subject to team and position needs. Most of the team follows a compressed work schedule with every other Friday off. Benefits include paid time off, medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness incentives, supplemental benefits, partner and family-formation support, a 401(k) plan with employer contributions and matching, and tuition assistance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 8 years of experience, a master's degree in a related field with 5 years of experience, a PhD with relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise applying systems engineering methodologies throughout the full system lifecycle, with a record of technical leadership on complex programs.
• Experience developing, decomposing, allocating, tracing, and verifying requirements using recognized practices and standards such as INCOSE guidance, ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, or EARS.
• Experience leading system integration, verification, validation, and testing activities and creating associated artifacts.
• Experience performing and leading complex systems engineering analyses involving requirements, system performance, design data, or test data.
• Experience preparing and reviewing technical specifications, reports, presentations, and other engineering artifacts.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting technical data to support and communicate engineering decisions and recommendations.
• Expert understanding of systems engineering processes, including requirements development, architecture design, integration, verification, validation, risk management, and technical planning.
• Demonstrated experience leading and coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Exceptional analytical, technical-writing, communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate technical results and deliverable status effectively to internal and external clients at all levels.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting Department of Defense, Department of Energy, National Security, Nuclear, Aerospace, or other highly regulated technical programs.
• Experience with MBSE and digital engineering tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler (MagicDraw), IBM Rhapsody, Teamcenter, Windchill, Cradle, or similar tools.
• Experience with requirements-management tools such as IBM DOORS, DOORS Next, Polarion, or similar platforms.
• Experience leading small-to-medium technical projects or serving as a technical task lead within larger programs.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical projects or major technical tasks within larger programs, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery while maintaining technical rigor and quality.
• Direct system architecture, interface definition, integration, verification, validation, and test-planning activities across multidisciplinary teams.
• Provide technical direction and coordinate engineers and technical support staff as a systems engineering subject matter authority.
• Analyze requirements and system performance, and lead the development and evaluation of technical alternatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external clients, and present technical and research results.
• Lead quality-control reviews, perform data reporting, and prepare and review technical documents for accuracy and compliance.
• Prepare technical specifications and analyze technical data to determine appropriate limits and variables for evaluating requirements and system performance.
• Conduct complex systems engineering analyses by compiling and evaluating design and test data.
• Analyze and interpret technical data to support engineering decisions and recommendations.
• Communicate with clients regarding the schedule and quality of assigned deliverables.
• Apply systems engineering techniques and processes to support project objectives within established constraints.
• May support Battelle-sponsored or scientific conferences, peer-review panels, publications, and other visibility-building activities.

Benefits

• Compressed work schedule with every other Friday off for most team members.
• Hybrid work flexibility, described as 60% in-office and 40% remote, subject to team and position needs.
• Paid time off.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives.
• Optional supplemental benefits.
• Coverage and support for partners, gender-affirming care, and family formation.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer contributions and matching.
• Tuition assistance for higher education.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior