C-UAS Hardware Development Lead

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Hardware Development Lead to drive microelectronics hardware design, prototyping, integration, and testing for the Army’s C‑UAS Network Communication System (NCS) in Huntsville, Alabama, with potential telecommuting to Alexandria, VA.

You will lead a team of engineers and ensure hardware solutions meet performance, security, and military standards while coordinating with software, RF, and cybersecurity groups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in EE/CE/Hardware Engineering and 10+ years hardware engineering with lead experience.
• Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance.
• Experience with hardware‑software integration and qualification testing.
• Knowledge of DoD cybersecurity requirements and RMF/ATO.

Responsibilities

• Lead hardware architecture, design, prototyping, and microelectronics upgrades for NCS.
• Define hardware interfaces, components, and data flows aligned with secure system architecture.
• Direct circuit/board-level design and secure hardware/firmware integration.
• Oversee hardware–software–network integration and secure remote access/data transfer.
• Lead hardware testing and qualification (environmental, EMI/EMC, reliability).
• Support RMF/ATO hardware requirements and cybersecurity integration.
• Present hardware approach at TIMs and maintain hardware documentation.
• Manage and mentor hardware engineers and technicians in Agile, cross-functional workflow.

Skills

Leadership

Hardware architecture

Hardware design

System integration

Technical writing

Brief government stakeholders

Education

Bachelor's in EE/CE/Hardware Engineering

Job description

Description

Hardware Development Lead – C‑UAS Network Communication System (NCS)

Clearance: Active Secret with Ability to obtain a Top-Secret security clearance.

Location: Huntsville Alabama, Alexandria Virginia. Telecommuting may be available.

This position is contingent upon contract award.

Leidos is seeking a Hardware Development Lead to drive microelectronics hardware design, prototyping, integration, and testing for the Army’s Counter‑UAS (C‑UAS) Network Communication System (NCS). You’ll lead hardware engineering that enables secure, reliable network integration of M‑LIDS and FS‑LIDS systems supporting Short‑Range Air Defense (SHORAD) missions.

This role owns hardware architecture decisions, directs a team of engineers/technicians, and ensures hardware solutions meet performance, security, and military standards while integrating tightly with software, RF, and cybersecurity teams.

Key Duties

• Lead hardware architecture, design, prototyping, and microelectronics upgrades for NCS.
• Define hardware interfaces, components, and data flows aligned with secure system architecture.
• Direct circuit/board‑level design, component selection, and secure hardware/firmware integration.
• Oversee hardware‑software‑network integration and support secure remote access/data transfer.
• Lead hardware testing, qualification (environmental, EMI/EMC, reliability), and corrective actions.
• Support RMF/ATO hardware requirements, patch assessments, and cybersecurity integration.
• Present hardware technical approach at TIMs; maintain hardware sections of system documentation.
• Manage and mentor hardware engineers and technicians within an Agile, cross‑functional workflow.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in EE/CE/Hardware Engineering + 10+ years hardware engineering (lead experience required).
• Current Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Proven leadership in hardware design for networked/embedded/tactical microelectronics systems.
• Experience with hardware‑software integration, secure communication hardware, and qualification testing.
• Knowledge of DoD cybersecurity requirements and RMF/ATO as applied to hardware.
• Strong technical writing and ability to brief government stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with C‑UAS/SHORAD/LIDS hardware programs.
• Hardware development for fielded tactical systems (M‑LIDS/FS‑LIDS).
• Microelectronics design for contested/DIL environments.

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 9, 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 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 www.Leidos.com.

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.

• competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave and Retirement

More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

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.