Deputy Chief Engineer - SWC Surety

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree, plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:: Department of Defense Secret security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Overview

The Deputy Chief of Engineering - SWC Surety, serves as a senior technical and organizational leader supporting the Chief of Engineering in overseeing all Nuclear Surety-related engineering activities. This role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of safety, security, reliability, and compliance across nuclear weapon systems programs. The Deputy Chief provides strategic direction and technical authority to engineering teams operating in high-consequence environments, while maintaining alignment with DOE/NNSA directives, national security objectives, and General Dynamics Mission Systems' business goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides senior technical oversight for the design, development, assessment, and sustainment of nuclear weapon systems and components, ensuring adherence to weapon safety specifications and surety requirements.
• Establishes, implements, and monitors safety, security, and use control policies in accordance with applicable nuclear surety frameworks and government mandates.
• Develops and maintains mechanisms for monitoring program and project progress, enabling timely intervention and problem resolution with project managers, government customers, and key stakeholders.
• Leads the identification and management of technical and organizational risks specific to nuclear systems, ensuring robust risk mitigation strategies are integrated into program planning and execution.
• Collaborates closely with government agencies, and other strategic partners on nuclear surety matters, technical reviews, and program assessments.
• Selects, develops, mentors, and evaluates engineering personnel to ensure a highly capable and mission-ready workforce aligned with Nuclear Surety program needs.
• Drives continuous improvement in engineering processes, methodologies, and tools applicable to nuclear weapon systems.
• Serves as a senior point of contact and subject matter expert during audits, inspections, critical actions and program reviews for all Fire Control programs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Deep technical understanding of nuclear weapon system design, analysis, testing, and qualification processes, including both hardware and software surety considerations.
• Comprehensive experience with use control technologies, weapon safety specifications and related nuclear security mechanisms.
• Strong leadership and personnel management skills, with demonstrated ability to inspire and guide large, multidisciplinary engineering teams in a classified and highly regulated environment.
• Advanced project and program management capabilities, including budget oversight, resource allocation, and schedule management for complex, long-duration programs.
• Exceptional risk assessment and mitigation skills specific to nuclear weapon systems and surety-critical applications.
• Proven ability to operate effectively and make sound technical decisions in high-consequence, time-sensitive environments.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence government customers, senior executives, and national laboratory partners.
• Strategic planning and execution capabilities, with the ability to align technical activities with national security priorities and organizational business objectives.
• Familiarity with nuclear weapons acquisition processes, stockpile stewardship, and life extension programs (LEPs).

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical discipline, plus a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in nuclear weapon systems, nuclear surety, or a closely related field; or
• Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field, plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience; or
• Doctoral degree in a relevant technical discipline plus a minimum of 6 years of applicable experience in nuclear surety or nuclear weapon systems programs.

Target salary range: USD $182,139.00/Yr. - USD $202,060.00/Yr. This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans