Systems Engineer Lead

Description

We are seeking a highly skilled, hands-on Senior Systems Engineer to lead the development, authoring, and lab validation of complex Technical Instructions (TIs) supporting the FAA’s En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) system.

In this role, you will leverage a deep background in Systems Administration, VMware virtualization, and Enterprise Networking to translate complex system changes into step-by-step procedures. You will work side-by-side with FAA Second Level Engineering (SLE) Book Owners inside physical and virtual lab environments to dry-run, test, and formally validate new or modified technical procedures before they are deployed to operational Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs).

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Instruction (TI) Lifecycle: Plan, author, schedule, and maintain complex technician-facing Technical Instructions (TIs) for the ERAM environment.
• Lab Validation & Proving: Partner directly with FAA SLE Book Owners in specialized lab environments to physically execute and validate new or modified configuration steps, software patches, and hardware replacements.
• Infrastructure Evaluation: Navigate, configure, and troubleshoot Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)/Unix operating systems, enterprise Cisco networking architectures, and extensive VMware to ensure instructions accurately mirror real-world target environments.
• Technical Writing & Mastery: Turn high-level architecture designs, network port maps, and software deployment scripts into crisp, repeatable, and error-free step-by-step instructions utilizing enterprise documentation standards.
• Collaboration & Peer Review: Interface heavily with systems architects, hardware engineers, and government stakeholders to resolve technical discrepancies caught during lab testbed sessions.
• Baseline Management: Work closely with the FAA System Support Documentation & Production (SSDP) team to ensure all authored procedures are properly cataloged, version-controlled, and routed through formal approval pipelines.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Network Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience: 5 to 8+ years of progressive engineering experience, with a solid focus on systems administration, hands-on infrastructure testing, or developing deployment instructions.
• Core Technical Skills:
  • Systems Administration: Robust hands-on experience configuring, troubleshooting, and administering Linux/Unix systems.
  • Virtualization: Deep working knowledge of VM environments (vSphere, ESXi, vCenter, Red Hat Kernel-based Virtual Machine), virtual networking, and snapshot/cloning operations for testing.
  • Networking: Practical understanding of IP networking, routing protocols, switch configurations, and network topology diagnostics.
• Domain Familiarity: Prior experience or strong familiarity supporting the FAA ERAM environment or larger Air Traffic Management (ATM) / civil aerospace infrastructures.
• Tooling Literacy: High proficiency utilizing standard documentation platforms and task management ecosystems (such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Visio, Jira, and Confluence).

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct professional history collaborating with FAA SLE (Second Level Engineering) personnel or working inside FAA testbeds (such as those at the William J. Hughes Technical Center).
• Familiarity with formal FAA formatting standards, maintenance handbooks, or order requirements.
• Relevant industry certifications (e.g., VMware VCP, Cisco CCNA/CCNP, Red Hat RHCSA, or CompTIA Linux+).

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

September 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 $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

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.