The Boeing Company is seeking a Chief Autonomy Flight & Simulation Software Engineer to lead reusable autonomy software development on our Phantom Works team in Hazelwood, MO.
Phantom Works is where imagination meets engineering excellence — a place where bold ideas are shaped to transform the future of defense. Driven by curiosity and relentless problem-solving, our team pushes boundaries across aerospace, autonomy, emerging technologies and advanced materials to create breakthrough capabilities that keep people and warfighters safe, and missions successful. With a culture of collaboration, integrity, and rigorous testing, Phantom Works transforms daring concepts into trusted, operational solutions that inspire confidence and expand what’s possible in the skies and beyond.
As the Chief Engineer for Phantom Works Autonomy Flight and Simulation Software, you will own the reusable software, architectures, standards-based interfaces, and infrastructure that enable autonomy development from simulation through flight demonstration. You will provide technical leadership across virtual, hardware-in-the-loop, surrogate, and in-flight environments - accelerating reuse, compressing integration timelines, and improving flight readiness across Boeing Defense programs. This position requires an Active U.S. Secret Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship.
This role spans Phantom Works, Boeing Defense programs, suppliers, and customers. You will define architecture, integrate advanced autonomy software, validate mission-critical capabilities, and support demonstrations that shape Boeing's autonomy future. If you are ready to bridge the gap between simulation and real flight on advanced defense platforms, we want you on our autonomy software team.
Build your Future with Us.
Position Responsibilities:
- Serve as single-point technical authority for autonomy flight and simulation software architecture, interfaces, and shared infrastructure across the BDS autonomy portfolio
- Direct technical strategy for reusable autonomy software from simulation through flight demonstration; govern standards-based interfaces, toolchains, and shared infrastructure investments
- Drive reuse across programs and platforms (MQ-28, MQ-25, CxR, Insitu, VWC, proprietary BDS programs) to compress integration timelines, reduce NRE, and improve flight readiness
- Coordinate across Phantom Works, BDS Test Bed Office, Aurora Flight Sciences, Boeing Defense Australia, BDS, and BTI to align simulation, test, and flight software development
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- Lead technical execution for high-visibility demonstrations and fleet exercises, including multi-vehicle Group 2–5 UAV and surrogate operations
- Prioritize portfolio-level investments in shared flight and simulation software; accept technical risk within the domain on behalf of the portfolio
- Ensure compatibility and readiness across virtual, hardware-in-the-loop, surrogate, and in-flight environments
- Manage day-to-day technical direction for ~10 engineers; mentor early-career talent and establish engineering best practices
- Establish and continuously improve software workflows, change control, security processes, and software assurance across the portfolio
- Coordinate with customers, program leadership, software teams, and flight/test organizations to support integration labs, test assets, and flight test planning and execution
- 2+ years of experience modeling defense aircraft subsystems such as sensors, communications or stores management
- 2+ years of experience with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM) and/or the Next Generation Threat System (NGTS)
- 2+ years of experience supporting flight test and/or live aerospace demonstrations
- 6+ years of experience of technical team leadership experience
- Level 5 / Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science and 14+ years of related work experience OR Bachelor’s Degree and 18+ years of directly related work experience OR 22+ years of related, relevant experience
- 3 years’ experience with autonomous systems and/or autonomy techniques Experience developing mission systems software on aircraft platforms
- 5 years’ experience in integrating complex applications on Windows platforms
- 5 years’ experience in integrating complex applications on Linux platforms
- 5 years of Python software development experience
- 10 years of C++ development experience
- Strong communication, consensus-building, conflict resolution, and active listening skills
- Domain knowledge of Mission Systems Software development
- Real-time software development experience
- Experience with Git and version control, CI/CD; Agile, DevSecOps and complex build/release plans
- Experience serving as a software architect or chief engineer
- Experience developing and testing software in cloud-based environments
Drug Free Workplace:
Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace (DFW) where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.
Travel:
10%
Relocation:
This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility. Note: Basic relocation will be offered for eligible internal candidates.
CodeVue Coding Challenge:
To be considered for this position you will be required to complete a technical assessment as part of the selection process. Failure to complete the assessment will remove you from consideration.
Conflict of Interest:
Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.
Pay & Benefits:
At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.
The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.
The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Summary pay range for Senior Level: $198,050 - $267,950
Potential signing bonus for eligible/qualified external candidates.
Language Requirements:
Not Applicable
Education:
Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent
Relocation:
This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.
Export Control Requirement:
This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
Safety Sensitive:
This is not a Safety Sensitive Position.
Security Clearance:
This position requires an active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is consid
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