Chief Engineer - Technical Systems Lead

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Chief Engineer to serve as the senior technical authority for a major Air Force Mission Planning program. This role provides enterprise-level systems engineering leadership and acts as the program manager's right-hand person. The ideal candidate is a technical expert who will lead the program from a technical perspective, support end-to-end modernization, and ensure engineering excellence across a complex enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering, integration, evaluation, and technical recommendations for the Mission Planning Enterprise.
• Develop and maintain enterprise, solution, and functional architectures aligned with DoDAF/UAF and digital engineering practices.
• Provide technical oversight for the design, development, testing, and sustainment of the Common Development Environment (CDE).
• Lead performance assessments, code quality evaluations, and cybersecurity testing to ensure alignment with DoD standards.
• Implement and validate cybersecurity and cyber survivability requirements, overseeing ATO/IATT documentation and RMF compliance.
• Guide enterprise data management, including data governance, data quality, and interface documentation.
• Provide systems engineering deliverables and architecture support for FMS mission-planning environments.
• Support enterprise configuration management through ERB/CCB processes and maintain system baselines.

Required Qualifications

• Education: A Bachelor's Degree is required.
• Experience: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience is required. This includes experience in systems engineering for complex, multi-tiered systems (cloud, hybrid, edge) and supporting the end-to-end modernization, integration, and sustainment of Mission Planning Systems (e.g., JMPS, JOMS, CMP microservices).
• Technical Skills:
  • Familiarity with mission-planning systems such as JMPS, JOMS, or similar C2/aviation systems.
  • Experience with DevSecOps, CI/CD, automated testing, and infrastructure-as-code.
  • Knowledge of Zero Trust, ICAM/IdM, RMF, and cybersecurity engineering.
  • Familiarity with ATO/ACO processes, AOC systems, and JADC2-aligned architectures.
  • Experience with MBSE, DoDAF/UAF, and enterprise architecture frameworks.
  • Client-facing experience with strong communication and technical documentation skills.
  • Ability to work across government, contractor, and multi-vendor environments.
• Clearance: An active Top Secret (TS) clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting AFLCMC, PEO C3BM, or C3M programs.
• Knowledge of Agile, SAFe, and Lean-Agile portfolio practices.

Compensation & Benefits

The target salary for this position is between $180,000 and $250,000 annually. The final salary will be determined based on the candidate's experience and qualifications. Relocation assistance will be provided for the right candidate.

This employer is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA.