Lead Systems Engineer

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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 sustainable. 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.

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Leidos Defense Sector 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.

Leidos Defense Sector is seeking a talented Lead Systems Engineer to join a diverse team to create unique solutions for complex problems. The Lead Systems Engineer will ensure that Systems Engineering effort is within budget and that Systems Engineering objectives are achieved. This Lead Systems Engineer will develop and manage systems engineering artifacts, including Requirements Specifications, Verification Plans, and Verification Results.

Primary Responsibilities

The Lead Systems Engineer will work in a matrixed organization, which supports multiple programs at once in a variety of engineering fields with all different team environments. When the program ends, the Lead Systems Engineer will have the opportunity to support a different program in the matrixed engineering portfolio. A candidate with experience in other systems engineering areas such as Model-Based Systems Engineering, Human Factors Engineering, Risk Management, and Reliability Analysis will be treated preferentially. However, a strong background in traditional systems engineering and technical leadership is what is required for this position.

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 Master’s degree in relevant field with 6+ years.

• Experience in deriving requirements for complex electrical, electro-mechanical, mechanical, and software 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.

• Candidates must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area.

• US Citizenship is required.

• Position requires eligibility to obtain and maintain secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference shown to candidates who possess a Master of Science in System Engineering

• MagicDraw and/or other Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) modeling tools

• Demonstrated experience effectively leading a team of engineers

• 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)

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:

February 19, 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 sa