Chief System Engineer

***U.S. citizenship and active Top Secret/SCI clearance required***

***NO VISA SUPPORT or C2C***

***On-Site in OKC Required***

Primary Function:

Long Wave Inc. (LWI) is seeking a highly accomplished technical leader to serve as Chief Engineer for one of our key aerospace programs. This role serves as the senior technical authority responsible for engineering rigor, system architecture, integration, technical performance, and mission execution across the full lifecycle of the program.

This Chief Engineer will define and guide the technical success of a LWI aerospace program—shaping architecture, driving schedule and performance, ensuring mission readiness, and elevating engineering excellence across the team. This is a pivotal role that directly supports LWI's continued growth and impact in the defense aviation sector.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Ensure the program adheres to sound aerospace engineering processes across design, development, integration, test, certification, and sustainment.
2. Serve as the definitive technical authority for the program, maintaining strict control of the technical baseline.
3. Oversee and validate technical, cost, and schedule performance with strong focus on KPPs and TPMs.
4. Lead system architecture, design integration, airworthiness considerations, and interface management across disciplines.
5. Serve as the program's primary technical interface to the customer and partners.
6. Act as independent technical advisor to the Program Manager.
7. Lead or support TRB, CCB, PMR, Risk & Opportunity Boards, and major design reviews.
8. Provide technical leadership for Major Program Events (MPEs), including flight readiness and demonstrations.
9. Ensure alignment of the technical plan within the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS).
10. Lead requirements development, allocation, and traceability.
11. Drive integration across avionics, mission systems, mechanical, electrical, software, and specialty engineering.
12. Oversee verification and validation planning and execution.
13. Ensure compliance with applicable aerospace standards and specifications.
14. Build long-term technical vision and program technology roadmap.
15. Guide trade studies, modeling and simulation, prototyping, and risk reduction.
16. Champion digital engineering and MBSE methodologies.
17. Lead technical interchange meetings with customers and partners.
18. Participate in readiness events, technical audits, and senior-level reviews.
19. Communicate technical status, challenges, and resolutions to leadership.
20. Mentor engineers and emerging technical leaders.
21. Support staffing, resource planning, and skill development.
22. Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Work Conditions:

Employee will be working within an office environment. Employee may be expected to travel up to 25%.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline; Master's or PhD preferred.
• 15+ years of Engineering leadership experience.
• Minimum 8 years leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience with aircraft systems, avionics, mission systems, flight test, or training devices.
• Strong systems engineering and technical baseline management background.
• Proven ability to lead major technical reviews and collaborate with aerospace customers.
• U.S. citizenship and active Top Secret/SCI clearance required.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Requirements:

• PMP, CSEP, Lean Six Sigma, or similar certifications.
• Experience as Chief Engineer or Technical Lead on major aerospace programs.
• Experience with airworthiness, flight readiness, or certification.
• Familiarity with military aerospace platforms or C3 avionics.
• MBSE and digital engineering expertise.
• Record of delivering complex aerospace programs successfully.

Position Benefits

As a full-time employee of Long Wave, you are eligible for our benefits package including:

• Competitive Salary
• Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• 401k
• Educational Assistance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
• Paid Time Off
• This position's standard work schedule is a 9/80. The 9/80 schedule allows employees who work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday to take every other Friday off.

EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability