Senior/Lead Systems Engineer

Senior/Lead Systems Engineer

Company:

The Boeing Company

The Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) KC-46 Tanker Program is seeking a Systems Engineer to lead requirements, verification, and integration efforts for next-generation air refueling applications. This position is based in Everett, Washington, and reports to the Systems Engineering Manager of the KC-46 Systems Engineering team.

This role will be 100% onsite in Everett, WA.

The KC-46 is a high-visibility, leading-edge commercial derivative airplane program supporting the United States Air Force and international customers. As a Systems Engineer, you will play a critical role in the integration, test, and operation of the KC-46A Pegasus, the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation aerial refueling and mobility aircraft. You will work across multi-disciplinary teams to ensure that the aircraft’s complex systems—including aerial refueling, avionics, flight controls, communications, and mission systems—are successfully integrated, tested, and delivered to the warfighter.

This position provides a unique opportunity to combine systems engineering discipline, airplane systems knowledge, and hands-on integration/test operations, directly supporting Boeing’s mission to enable global reach for the U.S. and allied forces.

Position Responsibilities:

•  Lead airplane-level and system-level integration of hardware and software for KC-46 mission and refueling systems.
• Lead requirements development, management, validation, and verification efforts across the program.
• Coordinate requirements definition, traceability, validation, and verification for the KC-46 Program across systems engineering, IPTs, design, test, and customer teams to ensure first-time quality.
• Mentor and coach others on systems engineering best practices and engineering knowledge.
• Partner with SEIT leadership team as a systems engineering technical leader to grow SEIT's capability, authority, and quality across the KC-46 Program.
• Apply knowledge of airplane systems (avionics, refueling systems, electrical power, hydraulics, environmental controls, and flight controls) to support design, integration, and troubleshooting.
• Develop and maintain Concept of Operations (CONOPS), operational documentation, and system use cases.
• Plan and execute ground and flight test campaigns, including creation of test procedures, readiness reviews, and post-test analysis.
• Utilize model-based systems engineering concepts and practices (e.g., SysML, Cameo) to document engineering outcomes.
• Serve on test and operations consoles during lab, ground, and flight test events.
• Support troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action for system integration issues.
• Collaborate with avionics, communications, refueling systems, flight controls, and mission systems engineering teams to ensure seamless cross-system integration.
• Provide input to design reviews, safety reviews, and certification activities.
• Drive continuous improvement in integration processes, maintainability, and operability of KC-46 systems.
• Demonstrate leadership in cross-functional teams, guiding technical discussions, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring accountability across disciplines.
• Communicate effectively with engineering teams, program management, customers, and leadership through clear technical writing, presentations, and real-time decision-making.

This position will be 100% onsite in Everett, WA

This position requires the ability to obtain a US Security Clearance for which the US Government requires US Citizenship.  An interim and/or final U.S. Secret Clearance Post-Start is required.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology (including Manufacturing Technology), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry
• Level 4: 9+ years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

• Level 5: 14+ years of related experience.
• Master’s in systems engineering 
• Experience with military aircraft development, integration, or sustainment.
• Knowledge of air-to-air refueling systems.
• Understanding of systems safety, reliability, and airworthiness certification processes.
• Familiarity with lab integration environments (HIL/SIL) and simulation-based test.
• Current or previous DoD Secret clearance or ability to obtain.
• Familiarity with requirements management tools (DOORS or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of model-based systems engineering concepts and practices (e.g., SysML, Cameo).
• USAF Tankers programm