Lead Systems Engineer

Ignite Digital is seeking a highly experienced Lead Systems Engineer to support a US Navy / US Marine Corps program office within the National Capital Region. This onsite role is responsible for leading system design, integration, testing, documentation, configuration management, and technical oversight for complex naval and Marine Corps systems. The Lead Systems Engineer will coordinate multi-disciplinary engineering tasks, ensure performance compliance, and guide junior engineering staff while supporting mission-critical programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate system development activities including system design, systems integration, and formal verification/validation testing.
• Oversee all transitions from development to production, ensuring readiness and compliance with established requirements.
• Develop, refine, and complete system specifications, including technical, engineering, logistical, and functional requirements.
• Create, maintain, and update all programmatic and technical documentation to support effective planning, execution, and sustainment.
• Manage and maintain system configuration baselines, ensuring traceability, version control, and alignment with evolving program requirements.
• Validate that system hardware and software components are compatible, interoperable, and capable of meeting required performance metrics.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide daily direction to junior Systems Engineers, ensuring quality, efficiency, and professional growth.
• Engage with government counterparts to support technical discussions, requirement clarifications, risk assessments, and overall system engineering processes.

Required Experience:

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Operations Research, Mathematics, Physics, or a closely related field.
• In lieu of a Master’s degree; Bachelor’s degree in a related field with at least 15 years of relevant experience; Or High School Diploma with at least 18 years of relevant systems engineering experience.
• At least 10 years of practical systems engineering experience, including work across the system lifecycle design, development, integration, test, fielding, and sustainment.
• Active DoW Secret Clearance.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering efforts within DoW, Navy, or Marine Corps environments.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively collaborate with government and contractor stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently onsite at a government facility and adapt to evolving operational requirements.

Salary: $170k+ to align with education and experience.