Lead Hypersonics Systems Engineer

Are you ready to lead cutting-edge systems engineering for one of the most exciting technologies in defense? At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. Your Greatest Work is Ahead! Leidos Defense is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to lead systems engineering for an active Hypersonics production program. In this role, you'll be the technical leader ensuring a hypersonic system transitions seamlessly from development to production, leading verification efforts that prove requirements translate flawlessly to test and manufacturing environments.

Your Mission: Lead a focused team (1-2 engineers) in requirements verification, interfacing with Hardware Development, Integration, and Test teams to identify engineering efficiencies that position the program for follow-on success. You'll develop and review systems engineering artifacts including Requirements Specifications, Manufacturing Procedures, Engineering Reports, and MBSE content (nice-to-have—build on an existing model or chart your own path).

Why This Role Stands Out: Work on hypersonics technology in a matrixed organization supporting multiple programs across diverse engineering fields. When this program completes, transition seamlessly to other exciting programs in our engineering portfolio. Candidates with experience in Test, MBSE, Human Factors, Risk Management, or Reliability Analysis will find additional opportunities to contribute. However, strong traditional systems engineering and technical leadership skills are what's required. If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Leidos Defense provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world's toughest security challenges for customers with "can't fail" missions.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent degree from an ABET-accredited university with 8+ years of experience or an MS with 6+ years.
• Experience in deriving requirements for integration, manufacturing, and production systems.
• Position requires candidates to be capable of performing in a collaborative engineering environment working closely with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated experience effectively communicating within a team environment.
• Resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area.
• Possess a secret clearance, or have the ability to obtain a secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing manufacturing processes and procedures.
• MagicDraw and/or other Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) modeling tools.
• Demonstrated experience effectively leading a team of engineers.
• Demonstrated cross-discipline collaboration.
• Demonstrated experience accurately estimating the engineering effort (i.e. hours) associated with Systems Engineering tasks.
• DOORS and/or other requirements database tools.
• Understanding of the DoD acquisition processes and methods.
• Experience supporting one or more DoD programs.
• Object Management Group (OMG) Certified System Modeler Professional (OCSMP) certification.
• INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) certification (ASEP or CSEP).

Original Posting: October 22, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range: Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to View email address on click.appcast.io.

Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.