Lead Systems Engineer

Description

The Force Protection Division is looking for a Lead Systems Engineer to serve as the technical lead for the Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) Increase Access Prototype and is responsible for overall technical planning, systems integration, requirements management, architecture implementation, and execution of the integrated force protection solution.

The Lead Systems Engineer directs the technical team throughout the prototype lifecycle and serves as the primary technical authority responsible for ensuring all technologies, subsystems, communications infrastructure, OT/ICN interfaces, software platforms, and operational workflows are successfully integrated into a cohesive layered protection ecosystem.

The position works directly with the Program Manager, Solution Architect, Government stakeholders, subcontractors, and technical leads to ensure the solution is delivered on schedule, within budget, and aligned with operational objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the technical execution of the prototype effort.

• Direct and coordinate technical activities across all workstreams.

• Provide technical guidance to engineering, software, communications, cybersecurity, and field integration personnel.

• Serve as the senior technical advisor to the Program Manager.

• Lead system-of-systems integration activities.

• Oversee integration of sensors, communications, software platforms, OT/ICN interfaces, and operational workflows.

• Ensure interoperability across Government, Leidos, and teammate-provided technologies.

• Resolve technical integration issues and interface conflicts.

• Support Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) development and maintenance.

• Identify technical dependencies and critical path activities.

• Support milestone planning and operational readiness activities.

• Lead technical validation efforts.

• Oversee interoperability testing, integration testing, and operational validation activities.

• Support Operational Readiness Reviews (ORRs).

• Support Government demonstrations and technical evaluations.

• Ensure technical teams remain aligned to program objectives and milestone commitments.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 12 - 15 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 10 - 13 years of prior relevant experience.

• Systems Engineering leadership on complex DoD programs.

• System-of-systems integration experience..

• Ability to simplify complex technical issues and lead diverse technical teams in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Multi-vendor interoperability and interface management experience.

• Operational test and evaluation experience.

• Ability to communicate with executive leadership (internally or client) regarding matters of significant importance to the organization/project.

• Bias for action and problem resolution and collaborative decision-maker

• Knowledge of agile development methodologies and management

• US citizenship and current secret clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Physical security or force protection systems experience.

• Command and Control (C2) integration experience.

• Operational Technology (OT) / Industrial Control Network (ICN) integration experience.

• Experience supporting USA or other DoW customers

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 23, 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 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

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 at .

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos' name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at View email address on click.appcast.io .

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission ( .

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.

#Remote

REQNUMBER: R-00185965

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.