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Phantom Works Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Works independently with some guidance, and reviews or guides activities of junior employees ... including Phantom Camera Control, FLIR Research Studio, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems

Works independently with some guidance, and reviews or guides activities of junior employees ... including Phantom Camera Control, FLIR Research Studio, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems

$69K - $158K/yr

Works independently with some guidance, and reviews or guides activities of junior employees ... including Phantom Camera Control, FLIR Research Studio, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems

Laser Scientist

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$69K - $158K/yr

Works independently with some guidance, and reviews or guides activities of junior employees ... including Phantom Camera Control, FLIR Research Studio, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems

Phantom Works information

See Virginia salary details

$5

$56

$78

How much do phantom works jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for phantom works in Virginia is $56.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51.25 and $76.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects and technologies can I expect to work on as part of the Phantom Works team?

As a member of the Phantom Works team, you’ll typically be involved in highly innovative, cutting-edge projects focused on advanced aerospace and defense solutions. The work often includes rapid prototyping, research and development, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to create next-generation technologies for both military and commercial applications. Expect a dynamic environment where confidentiality, adaptability, and creative problem-solving are essential, and where you'll regularly interface with engineers, scientists, and project managers. This role offers unique opportunities to contribute to high-impact, future-oriented projects and to develop expertise in emerging technologies.

What is the difference between Phantom Works vs Aerospace Engineer?

AspectPhantom WorksAerospace Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in engineering, security clearance often requiredBachelor's or higher in aerospace or mechanical engineering, professional licensure optional
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, classified projects, defense industryDesign, develop, test aircraft and spacecraft, various settings including labs and manufacturing
Employer & IndustryLockheed Martin, defense and aerospace industryGovernment agencies, aerospace companies, commercial industry
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Phantom Works is a specialized division within Lockheed Martin focusing on advanced research and development for defense projects, often involving classified work. Aerospace Engineers design and develop aircraft and spacecraft across various industries. While both roles require engineering credentials, Phantom Works emphasizes research, innovation, and security clearance, whereas Aerospace Engineers focus on design, testing, and manufacturing in broader settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Phantom Works engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Phantom Works engineer, you need a strong background in aerospace engineering, advanced research methodologies, and typically a relevant engineering degree with security clearance eligibility. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and classified project management systems is crucial. Creative problem-solving, adaptability, and strong collaboration skills help drive innovation in this high-security, fast-paced environment. These skills are important to ensure the successful development of cutting-edge aerospace technologies while maintaining confidentiality and project integrity.

What are Phantom Works?

Phantom Works is the advanced research and development division of Boeing, focused on creating innovative and cutting-edge technologies primarily for aerospace and defense applications. The organization works on highly classified projects, often developing prototype aircraft, systems, and technologies that may later be integrated into Boeing’s commercial or military products. Phantom Works is known for its role in pioneering stealth technology, unmanned aircraft, and other advanced solutions to meet emerging security and aerospace needs.
What job categories do people searching Phantom Works jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Phantom Works jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Phantom Works job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Locum Tenens, 7% Internship, 31% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 50% Nights, and 2% Summer. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,249 per year, or $56.9 per hour.
Lead Software Engineer, Phantom Works

Lead Software Engineer, Phantom Works

Boeing

Arlington, VA

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago


Boeing rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 608 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

35th of 535 rated manufacturers


Job description

Lead Software Engineer, Phantom Works

Company:

The Boeing Company

The Boeing Company is currently seeking a Lead Software Engineer to support our Phantom Works Software Engineering team located in Berkeley, MO. This position is based in Berkeley, MO; however, it may also be performed from other Boeing U.S. locations, including Mesa, AZ; Colorado Springs, CO; Arlington, VA; or El Segundo, CA, with significant travel required to Berkeley, MO. This position will focus on supporting the Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business organization.

This position will be part of the Phantom Works Open Architecture Systems Integrated Software (OASIS) Solutions team. This role is responsible for defining, developing, and leading the software development for real-time software air and/or space systems in an Agile software development environment. Integration across other teams of software and hardware components will be required. The software being developed is a critical part of the Defense infrastructure, and this is an opportunity to make a difference near the beginning of this software development. Work alongside exceptional Boeing engineers in a collaborative, inclusive team environment.

Lead the Mission. Build the Future.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Own and maintain the software architecture with focus on interface clarity, stability, and versioning to minimize integration risk, with a focus on production type software that is easily maintainable.

  • Partner with appropriate stakeholders to inform system definition and oversee translation of system-level requirements into software requirements and models that meet customer, operational and performance requirements and have clear traceability to design, code and test artifacts.

  • Manage supplier/subcontractor software deliverables to ensure they meet team processes and integration requirements.

  • Lead the software engineering team's agile delivery: facilitate sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews/retrospectives, and remove impediments to flow.

  • Serve as the Agile/Delivery lead for software-own backlog prioritization with product/system owners, define sprint goals, and ensure timely delivery of integration-ready increments.

  • Define, document, and enforce software integration contracts (ICDs or equivalent living artifacts), data models, and message definitions in coordination with Integration & Test and Systems leads.

  • Ensure software is designed for testability: require unit, component, integration, SIL/HIL test artifacts with code deliveries, include observability hooks, and ensure failures are diagnosable.

  • Lead DevSecOps and CI/CD practices for the team: ensure pipelines support repeatable builds, automated testing, artifact traceability, and consistent deployments across dev, integration, and test environments.

  • Collaborate with Integration & Test to align delivery cadence to integration increments and controlled configuration baselines.

  • Drive verification & validation execution for software components: support development of test strategies, analyze test results, and triage defects with the team.

  • Establish and track delivery metrics (velocity, cycle time, quality metrics, technical debt) and use them to improve predictability and quality.

  • Coach and mentor engineers on agile practices, test automation, CI/CD, code quality, and observability.

  • Contribute to risk and issue management that affects software delivery and integration readiness; escalate when necessary to protect integration milestones.

  • Document integration results, test findings, and provide inputs for design reviews and readiness assessments.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/ Experience):

  • Bachelor's Degree

  • Active Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance for which the US Government requires US Citizenship. (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active.)

  • 5+ years of experience in leading efforts in analyzing and translating requirements into system architecture, hardware and software designs and interface specifications

  • Experience as an Agile Systems or Software Development Team Lead

  • 5+ years of experience with the DevSecOps lifecycle

  • 5+ years of experience of DevOps experience (Git, Jenkins, or other CI/CD tools)

  • 5+ years of experience with configuration management and collaboration tools such as (or similar to) Git, JIRA, Collaborator, Beyond Compare, and VersionOne

  • 1+ years of Proficient with scripting/programming languages used for automation and testing (e.g., Python, Bash)

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

  • Level 5 / Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science and 14+ years of related work experience OR Bachelor's Degree and 18+ years of directly related work experience OR 22+ years of related, relevant experience

  • Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in a relevant field.

  • Practical experience with requirements tracing and configuration management.

  • Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Professional Scrum Master (PSM), SAFe Agilist, or equivalent agile certification.

  • Prior leadership on aerospace, defense, avionics, or other safetycritical systems.

  • Experience with cloud-native infrastructures (Docker/Kubernetes, AWS GovCloud, Azure Government).

  • Experience with model-based design/verification and SIL/HIL testing environments.

  • Experience managing subcontractor software deliveries.

  • Significant experience with real-time embedded software (C/C++), low-level driver development, network stacks, and hardware/software testing/debugging for microcontrollers and/or FPGAs

  • Experience & ability to implement real-time embedded hardware, firmware & software

  • Possess strong analytical skills, knowledge & proficiency with physical modeling and simulation tools

  • High level software development experience for applied physics, modeling, and/or simulation using MATLAB, Python, and or Jupyter, etc.

  • Experience in real-time embedded systems and low-level driver development with microcontrollers, single board computers, and/or FPGAs

  • Perform control system logic/algorithm, hardware, and software development tasks

Drug Free Workplace:

Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace (DFW) where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Travel:

10% for candidates based in Berkeley, MO; 75% for candidates based outside Berkeley, MO.

Conflict of Interest:

Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company's Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.

CodeVue Coding Challenge:

To be considered for this position you will be required to complete a technical assessment as part of the selection process. Failure to complete the assessment will remove you from consideration.

Pay & Benefits:

At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Summary pay range for Senior/Lead Level: $198,050 - $286,350

Potential signing bonus for eligible/qualified external candidates.

Language Requirements:

Not Applicable

Education:

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent

Relocation:

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Export Control Requirement:

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a "U.S. Person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.62 is required. "U.S. Person" includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Safety Sensitive:

This is not a Safety Sensitive Position.

Security Clearance:

This position requires an active U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)

Visa Sponsorship:

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Contingent Upon Award Program

This position is not contingent upon program award

Shift:

Shift 1 (United States of America)

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Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

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