VP Systems Engineering: Top Recruiters in Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis is anchored by Rolls-Royce's North American headquarters for defense turbofan engine development and production, alongside Allison Transmission's defense vehicle drivetrain operations, making it a significant aerospace propulsion and defense vehicle executive market.

The VP of Systems Engineering leads the enterprise's systems engineering capability, defining the technical architecture of complex defense systems, managing requirements across the system hierarchy, and ensuring successful integration and verification across all subsystems. This executive is the primary champion for disciplined systems engineering practice across the program portfolio.

• Lead systems engineering functional organization and define SE process standards across all programs
• Own requirements management strategy from customer specification through system, subsystem, and component level decomposition
• Drive Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) adoption and standardize modeling tools across the enterprise
• Lead system architecture development and technical trade studies for new program captures and major program phases
• Manage systems integration and test planning, ensuring verification and validation strategies are executable
• Interface with government Systems Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors and technical authorities
• Oversee Interface Control Document (ICD) development and management across complex multi-system architectures
• Support proposal development by leading systems engineering volumes and technical approach development
• Develop internal SE workforce through hiring, training, and career progression programs for systems engineers
• Champion digital engineering and digital thread initiatives that connect requirements to verification artifacts

• 18+ years in defense systems engineering with at least 5 years in SE functional leadership
• Active Secret clearance required; TS/SCI preferred
• INCOSE CSEP or ESEP certification strongly preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in MBSE tools: Cameo, MagicDraw, DOORS, or equivalent
• Deep experience with requirements management, ICD development, and V&V methodology in DoD programs
• Track record of leading SE for programs from SRR/PDR through CDR/TRR and into production

• SE Process Leadership: Ability to define and enforce rigorous systems engineering practices across large, complex programs
• MBSE Expertise: Deep knowledge of SysML, model-based design, and digital engineering tools
• Requirements Mastery: Expert-level skill in requirements development, decomposition, and traceability management
• Integration Thinking: Ability to understand and manage interfaces between complex, interdependent system elements
• Technical Communication: Skill in presenting complex technical content to executive, customer, and government audiences

Nexoval Search Partners's dedicated Aerospace & Defense practice maintains active relationships with the executive talent community across Indianapolis and the broader Indiana market. Our consultants conduct thorough market mapping of available passive and active candidates across the region's leading employers, from established industry leaders to innovative growth companies. Every engagement includes confidential outreach, rigorous competency-based assessment, and candidate presentation within 45 to 60 days of engagement launch. Nexoval Search Partners's retained search model and one-year replacement guarantee ensure every executive we place in Indianapolis, Indiana delivers long-term organizational value.