Systems Engineer

Brandes Associates•Point Mugu, CA

17d•$130,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

BAI, a defense contractor, seeks a senior Operations Manager with 10+ years’ experience to oversee technical and operational support for defense-related engineering, architecture, and interoperability within a NAWCWD research and development (R&D) project at Point Mugu Naval Base in Camarillo, CA. The selected candidate will act as the bridge between research and development efforts, oversee engineering implementation, and ensure alignment with government regulations while utilizing government-defined engineering processes. This position offers opportunities for career progression, excellent benefits, and stability in a well-established, employee-focused company.

Requirements

10+ years of relevant experience in operations management and systems engineering with a focus on defense projects
Demonstrated capability in overseeing large-scale, highly technical Range use for qualifying defense projects
Expertise in process optimization through innovative engineering methods, tools, and techniques
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in regulated tabletop exercises, lab demonstrations, and at sea testing of sensors or systems
Deep understanding of government-regulated engineering processes
Expertise in identifying bottlenecks and implementing innovative tools, methodologies, or technologies to optimize processes
Familiarity with maritime systems, including the deployment, safety considerations (e.g., Range Safety & Coast Guard regulations) for at sea SUT and sensor testing
Advanced expertise in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Ability to ensure technical compliance with configuration control, risk management, and quality assurance frameworks
Effective verbal and written communication, with the capability to convey technical and operational concepts to diverse audiences
BS or BA degree in Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline
Applicant must have an active DoD Secret Clearance.
The applicant must have US citizenship at the time of application.

Nice To Haves

6 years of additional relevant experience

Responsibilities

Provide a bridge between research, development, and test to optimize innovative rapid prototyping of required capabilities
Analyzing current workflows, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing technologies or methodologies for better performance
Guide technical teams to fully understand the sweet music of telemetry
Coordinate the application of range infrastructure and communication systems to support collection of required data points from maritime autonomous system sensors that validate capabilities; or assist in aligning follow-on sensor and system engineering and test efforts
Integrate safety considerations into the preparation, deployment, and use of maritime autonomous systems during System Under Test (SUT) and/or Live Fire range operations of sensor prototypes and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) products
Lead, mentor, and coordinate across teams (e.g., systems engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and data analysts) to ensure the successful delivery of development objectives
Aligning technical R&D operations with business goals, driving efficiency, and making data-driven decisions
Track technical progress, quality standards, uptime, security, and compliance
Serve as the primary liaison between government stakeholders, technical leads, and contractor resources during R&D efforts.
Ensure technical documentation, resource allocation, and risk management are aligned with project objectives
Review test readiness plans, milestone review packages (SRR, PDR, CDR, and TRR), and performance evaluation metrics for critical systems
Assist in validating interoperability and compliance through verification cross-reference matrices (VCRMs) and audit trails