Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) is seeking a visionary Chief Architect to lead the technical foundation of an Air Dominance franchise program. With a projected market opportunity well over $10B, this is a defining role for a leader who thrives at the intersection of complex systems, advanced warfare, and disruptive innovation. You will not just manage a program; you will define the next generation of air warfare.
The Mission
The future of Air Dominance depends on the ability to sense, connect, employ, and survive in increasingly contested environments. We are moving beyond traditional platforms toward a multi-domain architecture that is modular, adaptive, and lethal. As the Chief Architect, you are the Lead System Integrator (LSI) responsible for weaving disparate technologies into a singular, cohesive capability. You will translate high-level mission requirements into a robust, integrated technical strategy that delivers unmatched performance to the warfighter.
Key Responsibilities:
- Architectural Authority: Serve as the technical coordinator of the program. Provide direct oversight and strategic guidance for all technical approaches and engineering execution, leading technical trade studies and architecture decisions that balance mission capability, producibility, affordability, schedule, and integration maturity.
- Orchestrating Innovation: Lead the Mission Effectiveness team and collaborate with SEIT leadership to instill a “systems thinking” philosophy and drive a sophisticated Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) ecosystem across the program’s 500+ engineering workforce.
- Unified Integration: Act as the primary technical authority for cross-functional integration, aligning priorities to ensure that all subsystems function as a unified, high-performance weapon system.
- Strategic Engagement: Operate at the highest levels of the program, serving as a technical liaison to senior customer counterparts (O-5/O-6), key supplier partners, and executive program leadership.
What You Bring
- A proven track record of architecting large-scale, multi-disciplinary systems in proprietary or highly complex environments.
- The ability to influence without direct hierarchical control, leading a large engineering organization through technical clarity and mission-focused vision.
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- A "Warfighter First" mindset, with the ability to balance rapid, affordable delivery with mission-critical performance requirements.
Why Join Us? This is a rare opportunity to imprint your technical philosophy on a program of this magnitude. Reporting directly to the Program Chief Engineer and partnering with Program leadership, you will have the mandate to challenge existing paradigms and redefine how Boeing develops next-generation air superiority. If you are ready to architect the future of defense, we want to hear from you.
This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at Berkeley, MO.
Travel may be required up to 10% of the time; Domestically and/or internationally depending on business needs.
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 considered active).
This position requires the ability to obtain Special Program Access, for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship only.
Potential signing bonus for eligible/qualified external candidates.
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or non-US equivalent qualifications directly related to the work statement
- 10+ years of experience in the aerospace industry
- 5+ years of experience in an engineering discipline related to weapon system development
- 5+ years of experience as manager
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading a cross-functional team in weapon system design and analysis.
- Experience implementing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), process development, and optimization.
- Experience with Project Management and integrated scheduling.
- Previous customer interface experience on technical issues
Conflict of Interest:
Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.
Drug Free Workplace:
Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria are met as outlined in our policies.
Total Rewards:
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.
The Boeing 401(k) helps you save for your future, with contributions from Boeing that can help you grow your retirement savings. Our best-in-class retirement benefit features:
- Best in class 401(k) plan: we'll match your contributions dollar for dollar, up to 10% of eligible pay with Immediate 100% vesting
- Student Loan Match: The Boeing 401(k) Student Loan Match allows eligible enrolled U.S. employees to have their qualified student loan debt payments counted, along with any match-eligible contributions they make, for purposes of determining the Company Match to employees' Boeing 401(k) accounts.
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 considered active)
Visa Sponsorship:
Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Contingent Upon Award Program The position is contingent upon program award
Shift:
Shift 1 (United States of America)
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Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
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