NC3 Airborne DPME

General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc•Taunton, MA

13d•$174,648 - $193,751•Hybrid

About The Position

As the NC3 Airborne DPME on the Looking Glass Next (LGN) program, you will serve as General Dynamics Mission Systems' foremost aircraft platform expert and technical authority for all airborne platform integration activities. You will lead a cross-functional program team responsible for designing, implementing, and deploying the next generation of Strategic Weapon Systems aboard a specialized large-cabin aircraft platform. This is a strategic, high-visibility position at the center of one of the most consequential NC3 modernization programs in the U.S. defense portfolio. You will own the airframe integration workstream end-to-end, lead all SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) engineering across the program, and serve as the primary technical interface between GDMS and other program subcontractors. You will also play a leadership role in guiding the program through FAA certification and airworthiness compliance processes.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.
Department of Defense Top Secret security clearance is required at time of hire.
Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
U.S. citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

Direct platform integration experience
Prior collaboration with airborne mission systems
STC or FAA airworthiness certification experience
Background in NC3 or strategic communications systems programs
Deep, hands-on experience integrating mission systems onto large-cabin business jet or military transport aircraft platforms.
Demonstrated expertise navigating FAA certification processes applicable to mission system modifications, including Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) development and coordination, DER coordination, and airworthiness compliance for government-sponsored aircraft modifications
Proven leadership in SWaP analysis and trade studies on complex airborne systems, encompassing power distribution architectures, thermal management, structural load and balance considerations, and EMI/EMC compliance
Direct experience working at the integration interface between prime contractors, airframe OEMs, and mission system/avionics subcontractors, managing technical ICDs and resolving cross-organizational integration issues
Strong knowledge of airborne communications systems, including line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) architectures, as applied to strategic or special missions aircraft
Working knowledge of Government modular open system approach (MOSA) standards, Open Mission Systems (OMS), and Government Reference Architectures (GRA) as they apply to airborne platforms
Clear understanding of Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) principles and direct experience with industry MBSE tools for requirements development, interface definition, and traceability
Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and influence across organizational boundaries in a senior or director-level capacity, including direct engagement with government customers and program leadership
Familiarity with NC3 mission requirements, airborne command post architectures, or other special missions aircraft programs is highly desirable
Excellent communication skills with the ability to represent complex technical positions credibly to executive, government, and customer audiences

Responsibilities

Serve as GDMS's primary technical authority and point of contact for all aircraft platform integration matters on the LGN program
Lead and coordinate integration across airframe, avionics, and mission system subcontractors, managing technical interfaces and resolving cross-organizational integration conflicts
Own and lead all SWaP analyses, power budgets, and trade studies for mission system payloads, driving design decisions to ensure mission system compatibility with the aircraft platform
Provide authoritative technical guidance on FAA certification requirements for the LGN platform, including STC processes, DER coordination, and airworthiness implications of mission system installations and modifications
Lead aircraft integration planning across the full program lifecycle, from requirements definition and architecture development through installation, test, verification, and delivery
Develop and maintain aircraft integration documentation including Interface Control Documents (ICDs), aircraft modification plans, installation drawings, and integration verification plans in coordination with airframe and avionics teams
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior aircraft and systems integration engineers on the program team
Engage directly with government customers, the NC3 Enterprise, and GDMS program leadership to communicate integration status, risks, and technical recommendations