Program Scheduler - Principal

The Force Protection Division is seeking an experienced Principal Project Scheduler who holds a SECRET clearance to support the Mission Software portfolio by providing integrated planning, scheduling, and execution support across multiple Department of Defense programs. This position serves as the portfolio scheduling lead, partnering directly with the Director of Mission Software and Program Managers to develop, maintain, and analyze Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) that drive successful program execution.

In this dynamic role, you will serve as the lead scheduling authority across software development, systems engineering, integration, test, fielding, sustainment, and prototype development activities while ensuring alignment with customer priorities, contractual milestones, earned value requirements (where applicable), and internal business objectives. Primary support will focus on the Counter Small UAS Engineering & Integration (E&I) Program, JIGSAW, and the anticipated Rock Island Arsenal Prototype Project, while providing scheduling support across the broader Mission Software portfolio. This role is ideal for a senior scheduling professional who excels in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment and wants to apply their expertise to programs that support our national defense.

The Principal Program Scheduler will be an integral part of the larger enterprise-wide Leidos Corporate Earned Value Management (EVM) Center of Excellence (COE).  The Leidos Corporate EVM COE is a team-leading and executing the core responsibilities of scheduling, planning, EVMS, the associated infrastructure and tools, implementations, training, and surveillance for Leidos. 

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary scheduling leader, shaping program strategies through advanced scheduling practices.
• Author and deliver Integrated Program Management Report (IPMR) or Integrated Program Management Data and Analysis Report (IPMDAR) CDRLs, as applicable to the contract, including preparation of schedule, performance, and narrative deliverables that accurately communicate program execution status, schedule performance, critical path, risks, mitigation strategies, and forecasted milestones to Government customers in accordance with contractual reporting requirements.
• Integrate software development, systems engineering, hardware integration, cybersecurity, logistics, test, training, manufacturing, fielding, and operational activities into executable schedules.
• Build and maintain resource-loaded schedules that accurately reflect program execution and critical path.
• Partner with Program Managers, Technical Directors, Product Owners, Chief Engineers, and Functional Managers to ensure schedules accurately represent current execution status.
• Perform schedule health assessments including critical path analysis, float analysis, schedule quality metrics, and risk identification.
• Develop schedule recovery plans and recommend executable mitigation strategies when milestones are at risk.
• Support proposal development by creating Basis of Schedule (BOS), Integrated Master Plans (IMP), Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), and milestone roadmaps.
• Translate Agile software development activities into integrated program schedules that include Sprint planning, release planning, feature development, system integration, formal test events, and customer demonstrations.
• Coordinate schedules across Government, Leidos, subcontractor, and teammate organizations to ensure cross-functional integration.
• Prepare executive-level schedule briefings, milestone assessments, and portfolio health metrics for internal leadership and Government customers.
• Support Quarterly Program Management Reviews (PMRs), Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs), customer status reviews, and executive operational reviews.
• Monitor contractual milestones, deliverables, dependencies, and critical decision points to ensure contractual commitments remain achievable.
• Perform schedule risk analysis and support program risk and opportunity management activities.
• Develop dashboards and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that provide leadership visibility into portfolio execution.
• Support strategic planning efforts by evaluating resource demand, execution timelines, and long-range portfolio planning.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of progressive Aerospace & Defense scheduling experience (or equivalent experience in lieu of degree).
• Recognized expertise in programmatic scheduling and Earned Value Management (EVM) principles, with proven success leading schedule management on large, complex programs.
• Advanced mastery of Microsoft Project and scheduling analytics.
• Active DoD Secret Security Clearance. (U