Chief Systems Engineer

Job Description

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Chief Systems Engineer in our National Security Sector's (NSS) Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA) . Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos , we offer competitive benefits , including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security!

Job Summary:

This project provides the full range of systems design, analysis, integration, verification, and validation activities in support of the Navy's Key Management project portfolio. The selected candidate will provide systems engineering expertise in the following areas: system architecture and design; development and integration; requirements analysis, data flow analysis; network design and implementation; test/verification and validation; and documentation for the system. The selected candidate will be responsible for collaborating with internal technical professionals on a day-to-day basis, and with POCs from customer organizations when necessary.

Additional position responsibilities also include:

• Lead system engineering, hardware, and software analysis to support the NGLD-M project.
• Define and apply systems engineering processes to develop systems that meet customer requirements.
• Ability to lead the entire system development lifecycle (SDLC), from requirements analysis and design to verification, validation and sustainment.
• Manage requirements, including decomposition, allocation, verification, and validation for subsequent use by the development and test teams.
• Define and develop System Architecture, CONOPS, and use case development using systems engineering methodologies.
• Experience identifying and mitigating technical risks associated with secure hardware.
• Participate and lead discussions at customer meetings, working groups, and technical interchange meetings associated with the work performed in this project.
• Required to research, design, write, and review a wide range of technical documentation that will include but not be limited to: technical manuals, design specification documents, interface requirements specification, system user guides, reference manuals, installation guides, and data sheets that may be required to assist with the design, integration, testing, and fielding of the system; will provide project briefing materials upon request.

Required Qualifications:

• Position requires US citizenship and an active Secret DoD security clearance.
• Bachelor's Degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 12+ years of system engineering experience. Will consider work experience in lieu of a degree.
• Well-versed and experienced with Requirements Management and Traceability practices on medium-to-large scale programs.
• Experience and expertise with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices and/or the Systems Engineering V-model as it applies to government programs.
• Experience that demonstrates ability to analyze risks and uncertainties and ability to navigate projects through established processes.
• Understanding complex system development methods.
• Experience with technical documentation development.
• Experience working with Risk Management Framework (RMF).
• Knowledge of Agile Development methodologies.
• Experience Leading a team in a technical or chief engineering capacity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• DoD 8570 approved security certification (i.e., Security +) (Will be required 90 days after hire).

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledgeable with use of AI for Systems Engineering purposes.
• Familiarity with Cameo
• Security-focused certification such as CISSP, Security+, SANS certifications, etc.
• Understanding of the lifecycle of cryptographic keys or cryptographic key management
• Experience with the interfaces, protocols, and hardware requirements for loading data into a wide variety of end-crypto units (ECUs)
• Familiarity with encryption algorithms and secure data transmission standards
• Ability to design scalable and secure architectures.
• Good knowledge of networking protocols, such as TCP, IP, and OSI models.
• Experience with Android.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:
June 4, 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 $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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.