Chief

Description

Leidos'sAirand SpaceForce Divisionhas an opening foraChief Engineersupportingthe Air Force (AF).Theselected candidatewillserve as the Chief Engineerfor the AF's Integrated DefensiveCyberspace System(IDCS) Programand reportdirectlyto theDefensive Cyber PortfolioDirector.

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​The IDCS program supports AFLCMC/HNCD who serves as the program office for several defensive cyberspace weapon systems and capabilities, including Air Force (AF) Cyberspace Defense (ACD), Cyberspace Defense Analysis (CDA), BigData Platform (BDP), and Cyber Vulnerability Assessment/Hunter (CVA/H). In 2020, the AF expressed a vision for an integrated common system for cyberspace defense.The program officedesigned a new architecture that effectively replaces the existing Hardware (HW) solutions for the ACD, CDA, and CVA/H weapon systemsandestablishesanIntegrated Defensive Cyber System (IDCS) ecosystem, standardized on a Common Sensor Platform. Leidos providessustainment, development, andorchestration solutions forthe current and next generation weapon systems.

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​The Chief Engineerwillbe responsible forthe technical planning, system hardware-software-network design, development and integration, verification and validation, and fieldingof solutions and capabilitiesforthe IDCSprogram.Theywill ensure the overall integrity, quality, and completeness of technical work performed and associated deliverables are of the highest standards.Theywillalsohave the opportunity toapplytheirextensiveexpertisein engineering to delivertheAF’snext generation defensive cyber weapon system.

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​ Primary Responsibilities:

• ​Provide engineeringexpertiseand oversight for the program throughout thecapability deliverylifecycle,from requirements development through fielding and transition to operations.

• ​Work closely with theIDCSprogram manager to develop technical and programmatic schedules, evaluate design alternatives including cost and risk, provide input on subcontractorselectionand provide sound recommendations to resolve technical challenges and issues

• ​Perform systems requirements analysis, functional analysis, timeline analysis, trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition, technical management, integration, system testing, and quality assurance

• ​Overseesystem planning and designsensuring compatibility with the Government Reference Architecture

• ​Provide guidance and direction to the team on all product development and deliverables

• ​Effectively communicate with the Governmentregardingengineering technical considerations and negotiate to convince stakeholders at all levels to accept our concepts,solutionsand approaches

• ​Resolve technical problems, issues, and conflicts within theIDCSprogram.

• ​Collaborate with other experts in the field toidentifyinnovative solutions

• ​Assist theIDCSprogram manager with development of SOWs, RFPs, perform tech evals, recommend selection and provide technical oversight and approval of subcontractor and vendor deliverables.

• ​Communication with customer'sChiefEngineer, Chief Architect,and technical leads on a weekly/recurring schedule.

• ​Mentor mid-level and junior staff

​ Basic Qualifications:

• ​Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance within 365 days afterstartdate.

• ​MinimumBachelor's Degreefrom accredited college or university in an Engineering or technically related discipline.

• ​12+ years of total engineering experience, with 5+ years in a technical leadership role (Chier Engineer, Technical Director, or Lead Architect).

• ​Minimumseven(7) yearsof hands-on experience in at least two(2)cyber disciplines (e.g., network defense, vulnerability assessment, forensics, or cyber weapons platforms).

• ​Solidunderstanding of SDLC models, Agile and traditional project management practices, andDevSecOps.  

• ​Systems engineering experienceincludingdesign, deployment and configuration ofsoftwaresolutions, defensive cyber systems, and/or DoD weapons systems.

• ​Experience in writing subsystem specifications and managing tasksto cross-discipline technical contributors.

• ​Experience with all technical aspects ofcyber systems delivery – software, hardware, infrastructure, and security.

• ​Excellentwritten and verbal communications with seniorGovernmentofficials, includinghigh-ranking military members andseniorcivilianexecutivesregardingtechnicalrisks,AoAs/Trade-Offs, and milestone delivery status.

• ​Must have provenexpertiseleading, architecting,and executing large-scale development programs.

• ​Compliance withDoD 8140 certification(e.g., CISSP-ISSAP).

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​ Preferred Qualifications:

• ​Master's Degree in related field. 

• ​Prior relevantexperiencewith DefensiveCyber Weapon Systems.

• ​Experience managing projects using software development life cycle models (SDLC) such as CMMI, modern SELC models such asSAFe, Agile, and/SecDevOps. 

• ​Experience with applied AI/ML for threat hunting, response automation, or user/entity behavioral analytics

• ​Experience withAF defensive cybersystems, e.g.,SIEM,SOAR, ELICSAR, ICAM, etc.

• ​Knowledge and experience with USAFor DoDplans, policies, standards, and methods aimed at the acquisition and support of software and computer resources.

• ​Demonstrated ability to lead and direct high-tempo,multi-team effortswhile managingcost/schedule/risk for programs.

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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:

July 8, 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 $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.

About 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 $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit .

Pay and Benefits

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Commitment to Non-Discrimination

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.

REQNUMBER: R-00186827

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Leidos will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment in accordance with relevant Laws. Leidos is an equal opportunity employer/disability/vet.