Tactical Data Link Program Engineering Manager (PEM) II

Job Description
Thank you for your interest in BAE Systems! This opening is included as part of our September 2026 Defense Electronics Engineering Hiring Event. While we encourage all interested professionals to apply, please note that this is a selection-based interview event for candidates whose skills and experience match our hiring needs. If your background and skill set match these needs, we will reach out with next steps. If selected for an interview, specific opportunities based on your interests, experience, and skill set will be discussed with the hiring team. For candidates not local to the northern New Jersey area, virtual interviews will be accommodated.
Our C4ISR team plays a key role in the military defense and operational stability of governments, businesses, and societies worldwide today, and indications are that it will only become more important moving forward, given its growing role in how decisions are made, threats are addressed, and agreements are enforced. The world's nations are in a race for C4ISR superiority - a significant national advantage - and the ability to lead through innovation could determine who wins. C4ISR is an abbreviation created and used by the U.S. Department of Defense (US DoD), U.S. intelligence agencies, and U.S. allies which stands for "Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.
We are looking for a Program Engineering Manager (PEM) to support various programs in our Wayne NJ facility in our Adaptive Communications & Sensing (AC&S) Tactical Data Link (TDL) product line. The candidate demonstrates proven execution of a full-scale program through excellent risk assessment, outstanding leadership, and strong decision making with solid analysis skills. The PEM provides technical responsibility and leadership to cross-functional teams through the design, development, fielding, and support of the system. The PEM represents the technical team to project managers, functions, and executive leadership, and provides responsibilities for developing the overall technical solution for a product or system. The PEM is the decision authority between the Chief Engineer and engineering team and is responsible for developing the overall technical solution for the system. The PEM is expected to influence the design, development, test and verification. In addition, the PEM is responsible for identifying and communicating technical risks and opportunities between the design team, Chief Engineer and program management team.
The PEM will lead the engineering effort for the entire program ensuring the solution meets customer programmatic and technical requirements within the allocated engineering cost and schedule.
Specific job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Partner with the Program Manager, Chief Engineer and functional staff to develop and deliver products and systems that meet our customers' needs.
• Partner and collaborate across all the disciplines, functions, and business areas to effectively support engineering across the enterprise.
• Meet cost, schedule and technical performance for projects through their life cycle.
• Ensure preparation and approval of competitive engineering bids that are executable, meet established price-to-win targets, and grow the business.
• Serve as overall customer (internal / external) engineering point of contact for the project.
• Identify and support the development of critical skills and resources.
• Develop and maintain measures related to engineering performance.
• Ensure proper application of process based on the size and complexity of the project.
• Establish goals, performance standards, budgets and staffing plans.
• Improve processes and skills that accelerate program execution and improve quality.
• Lead and develop others.

This position requires collaborating and interfacing with Engineering, Operations, Business Development, Contracts, Subcontracts, Finance, and Procurement functions within the company as well as with internal and external customers to ensure that the portfolio's financial, schedule and technical objectives are met and that the highest level of customer satisfaction is achieved.
Because this role involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work, it will take the form of a hybrid work format. It will require mostly in-person, on-site work with the potential for allowing some remote work.
Key aspects of this role:

• Accountability for all aspects of program initiation, planning and execution (cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, customer engagement, etc.) and ensuring program commitments are met.
• Responsibility and accountability to the Business for program execution, profitability, timeliness, and overall success. Make decisions that are cost effective to the company and ensures assigned projects meet financial commitments for orders, sales, profit and cash flow.
• Creation of new business strategies and the development of strategic and financial plans
• Understanding of life cycle management
• Working with various contract types
• Earned Value Management
• Communication with clear, concise messaging to teams, internal leadership and customers

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Requires qualified candidates to hold an active Secret security clearance.
• Bachelor's Degree in Science, Engineering, or Math and 12+ years engineering development/production work experience or Master's Degree with 8+ years of engineering development/production experience
• Experience as a Cost Account Manager (CAM) in an Earned Value Management System (EVMS), program scheduling, task codes, program metrics, and staffing determination
• Project engineering management including organizational design, planning, estimating, design management, and product verification.
• Experience leading diverse multi-disciplinary teams in the solution of complex technical problems.
• Demonstrated leadership skills (soft skills, strategic thinking, business acumen, building teams, building customer relationships, leading the entire engineering team).
• Monitoring the project to ensure work scope, schedule, and budget are well defined, maintained, and met
• Capable of leading a team in defining, generating, and reviewing project requirements and documentation
• Performing or guiding technical studies to refine project requirements
• Providing the coordination between resource managers/supervisors and the program team for staffing needs
• Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to diagnose, resolve complex problems and to develop improved methods to increase program efficiency.
• Proven written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Strong team building skills that enable collaboration and coordination within and across teams, functions, and other business units.
• Strong presentation and organizational skills
• Strong communication skills with ability to influence and shape the behavior and performance of teams executing complex requirements
• Demonstrates business acumen and presence at the leadership level

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• 5+ years' experience as a Program Engineering Manager (PEM), Program Manager (PM), or Technical Project Manager
• Knowledge of defense contract types
• Experience in all the phases of the program life cycle
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Experience in developing product roadmaps
• Experience in proposal development activities and capturing new business
• Experience in structured problem solving with demonstrated ability to systematically determine root cause
• Domain Knowledge, UHF/VHF/HF communication solutions experience, including NSA certification
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret / SCI level of clearance

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $153377 - $260743
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.