Chief Engineer in Encinitas

Energy Jobline ZR; Encinitas (CA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 278,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Holidays

401K with company match

Flexible schedules

Stock purchase plan

Upskilling

Education and training

Parental paid leave

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Chief Engineer for the Electronic Warfare division, based in Arlington, VA or San Diego, CA. The role leads research, design and development of signal processing systems, and drives business development with government customers.

The Chief Engineer will head technical teams, oversee programs, mentor staff, and help capture new opportunities while delivering cutting-edge EW solutions to complex challenges.

Qualifications

• Requires active U.S. clearance and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.
• Master's degree with 15+ years of relevant experience; BS plus equivalent experience considered.
• Fluent with tools such as MATLAB, Linux, Mathematica, Python, Simulink and C/C++, Java.
• Working knowledge in digital filtering, spectral estimation, detection and estimation theory, linear algebra and stochastic processes.
• Demonstrated leadership of small multi-disciplinary technical teams and/or projects.
• Experience in EW, SIGINT and/or radar fields as a technical leader.
• Doctoral degree and business development/capture experience (proposals, white papers) are a plus.
• Experience in a Research and Development (R&D) environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop novel algorithms, perform performance simulation and analysis using real and simulated data.
• Serve as Technical Team Lead on multiple EW projects.
• Lead marketing and business development initiatives, including responses to BAAs and RFPs.
• Participate in lab-based and field testing of EW systems.
• Lead and manage multiple projects and communicate results to teams and customers.
• Provide technical leadership, program oversight, and mentorship within the division.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

Simulink

C/C++

Java

Linux

Mathematica

Education

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

Doctoral degree

Tools

MATLAB

Linux

Mathematica

Python

Simulink

Job description

Job Description

Description

Today, Electronic Warfare (EW) is a growing enterprise - protecting the warfighter and our security against ever-adapting threats. Due to success of continued growth - the Electronic Warfare Division at Leidos (in Arlington, VA or San Diego, CA) currently has an opening for a Chief Engineer in our Signal Processing Branch. We’re looking for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset to work with our existing and new R&D clients developing advanced solutions to very challenging electronic warfare problems.

As an EW Chief Engineer, you will be responsible for research, design, and development of signal collection, processing and dissemination systems. Duties may include designing, developing, and analyzing systems for the extraction of information from signal sensors. You will support the Division by achieving program objectives, leading technical teams – and participate in business development activities. The ideal candidate will possess superior analytical and problem-solving skills, operate independently with limited supervision and feedback, be a strong team player, and have the ability to establish solid working relationships with technical staff members and peers within the division as well as our external Government customers. The Chief Engineer will be responsible for technical leadership, program oversight, new business pipeline, and personnel supervision / mentorship.

Regular tasks will include a mix of the following

• Develop novel and advanced algorithms, performance simulation, and analysis - using simulated and real data in both time series and spectral domains
• Serve as Technical Team Lead
• Lead or support marketing and business development initiatives: develop technical solutions and new ideas for response to capture efforts (e.g., BAAs, RFPs etc.)
• Participate in, and/or lead, lab-based and field testing
• Lead and/or engage in multiple projects
• Communicate results in briefings and written material to your team, the Customer and management

At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits 4 or more weeks Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in Electronic Warfare!

Basic Qualifications

• Must be U.S. with an active Secret clearance and the ability to obtain a TS/SCI level clearance
• Masters with 15+ years prior relevant experience. May consider a BS and equivalent experience.
• Fluent with tools such as MATLAB, Linux, Mathematica, Python, Simulink - and such as C/C++, Java etc.
• Working knowledge areas such as digital filtering, spectral estimation, detection and estimation theory, linear algebra and stochastic processes
• Demonstrated leadership of small multi-disciplinary technical teams and/or projects
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication
• Experience working in EW, SIGINT and/or radar fields as a technical leader

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree
• Business Development and Capture experience (e.g., Proposals, white papers etc.)
• Experience working in a Research and Development (R&D) environment

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.

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.

Original Posting

September 29, 2026

Pay Range

Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

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. Employment benefits include 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 , , , , , citizenship, , physical or mental , medical condition, genetic information, , family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, , 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.