Chief Engineer- Space Payloads

Leidos; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 131,300 - 237,350; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Chief Engineer for the Emerging Space Systems Division in San Diego to drive end-to-end development of space-based optical sensors. You will guide TRL 4–7 maturation for missions such as Missile Warning and Space Domain Awareness, serving as the technical authority across mechanical, electrical, thermal, algorithms, and software teams.

This role requires SME expertise in IR optical or opto-mechanical engineering, active SECRET/TS/SCI readiness, and a proven track record in

Qualifications

• Must be a Subject Matter Expert in IR optical or opto-mechanical engineering (precision mechanisms, housing design, or opto-thermal stability).
• Bachelor's degree with 12+ years or Master's with 10+ years of experience; additional years may substitute for degree.
• Active SECRET clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance; SME in space optical systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical authority for design, integration, and testing of space-qualified optical sensor systems.
• Lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams across mechanical, electrical, thermal, algorithm development, and software.
• Direct hardware maturation from TRL 4 breadboard to TRL 7 space-qualified prototypes.
• Oversee integration of sensor processing algorithms into flight software with real-time performance.
• Conduct rigorous trade studies and design reviews (PDR, CDR) to meet mission requirements for sensitivity, resolution, and SWaP-C.
• Oversee environmental testing protocols including TVAC, vibration, and radiation hardening to validate readiness.

Skills

Space optical engineering

IR / opto-mechanical SME

TRL 4-7 development

System architecture

Sensor processing integration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Zemax

Code V

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

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 sustainably. 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.

Are you ready for your next career challenge?

Leidos Defense 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.

Position

The Emerging Space Systems Division at Leidos currently has an opening for a Chief Engineer to work in our San Diego, CA office. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to develop novel EO/IR sensors for Space-based missions, including Missile Warning/Tracking, Missile Defense, Space Domain Awareness, and others. In this mission, we design and mature next-generation space-based payloads, transitioning critical technology from laboratory environments to flight-ready hardware. This role focuses on the end-to-end development of prototype optical sensors, bridging the gap between TRL 4 and TRL 7 to ensure mission success in orbital environments.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical authority for the design, integration, and testing of space-qualified optical sensor systems.
• Lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams, providing technical direction across mechanical, electrical, thermal, algorithm development, and software engineering workflows.
• Lead hardware maturation efforts to transition technologies from breadboard validation (TRL 4) through space-qualified prototyping and demonstration (TRL 7).
• Direct the integration of complex sensor processing algorithms into flight software architectures, ensuring real-time performance and data integrity.
• Conduct rigorous trade studies and design reviews (PDR, CDR) to ensure sensor performance meets stringent mission requirements for sensitivity, resolution, and SWaP-C.
• Oversee environmental testing protocols, including thermal vacuum (TVAC), vibration, and radiation hardening, to validate flight readiness.

Basic Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of applicable experience, or a Master’s degree with 10+ years of experience. Additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Security Clearance: Must have a Secret security clearance to be considered for the position.
• Subject Matter Expertise: Must be a Subject Matter Expert (SME) within IR optical or opto-mechanical engineering (e.g., precision mechanisms, optical housing design, or opto-thermal stability).
• Technical Breadth: Demonstrated working knowledge of associated engineering disciplines, including software development, algorithm maturation, and electrical systems.
• Space Flight Heritage: Proven track record of leading space-based payload development programs through the full flight qualification lifecycle.
• Active SECRET clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Space-Based IR Analytical Expertise.
• Experience leading Radiometric Performance Modeling (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) analysis, Noise Equivalent Differential Temperature (NEDT), and stray light suppression studies).
• Proficiency in Thermal-Optical-Mechanical (STOP) Analysis to predict sensor performance under extreme orbital thermal gradients.
• Familiarity with Non-Uniformity Correction (NUC) and Bad Pixel Replacement (BPR) algorithm development for focal plane arrays (FPAs).
• Experience conducting Stray Light and Ghosting Studies using tools like FRED or ASAP to ensure high-fidelity IR sensing against bright backgrounds.
• Mission-Specific Studies: Leading Jitter and Line-of-Sight (LOS) Stability analyses to ensure sub-microradian pointing accuracy during dynamic maneuvers.
• Conducting Radiation Effects Analysis (TID, SEE) for cryogenically cooled IR detectors and associated readout integrated circuits (ROICs).
• Standards & Interfaces: Deep familiarity with SDA (Space Development Agency) standards and optical communication terminal (OCT) specifications.
• Experience managing Cryocooler Integration and vibration isolation studies for long-wave infrared (LWIR) or mid-wave infrared (MWIR) missions.
• Tools: Expertise in specialized design software such as Zemax, Code V, or MATLAB/Simulink for system-level performance simulation.
• Proficiency in digital signal processing (DSP) or computer vision algorithms related to optical sensing.
• Expertise in the procurement and management of high-reliability (Hi-Rel) space components and sub-tier supplier technical oversight.
• Expertise in hyperspectral imaging, seekers, laser communications, or other sensing modalities or missions.

Pay Range

Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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 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.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Leidos will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment in accordance with relevant Laws. Leidos is an equal opportunity employer/disability/vet.