Mission Engineer

Mission Engineer

Bowhead seeks a Mission Engineer to join our team supporting NIWC Atlantic. The Mission Engineer will work directly with the client analyzing complex and unique technical support assignments and collaborate with software engineers, hardware engineers, cybersecurity personnel, and program analysts within a scaled agile environment.

This position is 100% onsite. No hybrid/flex or remote work schedules are permitted for this effort.

Responsibilities

• Support the engineering lifecycle, bridging requirements, design, integration, test, and fielding of mission-critical systems.
• Translate mission and user requirements into system architecture, interface definitions, and technical solutions.
• Collaborate with systems engineers, software/hardware engineers, integration & test, operations, and logistics teams to deliver integrated mission capability.
• Lead trade studies, risk assessments, and technical decision processes to select optimal solutions balancing cost, schedule, performance, and risk.
• Oversee subsystem integration, verification, validation, and field demonstration to confirm mission readiness.
• Interface with program management, government stakeholders, and external partners/subcontractors; provide status, technical updates, and escalate issues as needed.
• Develop and maintain engineering artifacts: system requirements documents, interface control documents (ICDs), test plans, integration plans, and mission operation concepts.
• Monitor program metrics: schedule, budget, technical maturity; anticipate and mitigate issues impacting mission success.
• Support accreditation and cybersecurity reviews, ensuring compliance with relevant DoD standards (e.g., RMF, STIGs, DIACAP).
• Share mission engineering best practices and lessons learned.
• Provide engineering support during trials, deployments, and operational transitions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
• COMPTIA Sec+ or higher certification.
• 7 years of experience in an engineering role.
• Demonstrated ability to work on mission-critical programs with elevated reliability, performance, and operability demands.
• Experience interfacing with DoD customers, contractors, or government agencies; understanding of DoD acquisition lifecycle preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, documentation and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally, manage complexity, and drive technical closure in fast-paced environments.
• Experience leading or participating in field deployments, demonstrations, or operational roll-outs.
• SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Must currently hold a Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Physical Demands: Must be able to lift, move, and position equipment in both indoor and outdoor environments, including on uneven or natural surfaces.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Must be able to lean, crouch, twist, bend, and squat as needed to inspect or analyze network infrastructure.
• Must be able to work outdoors in deployed environments and perform duties in adverse weather conditions, including cold, rain, snow, and heat.