Chief Engineer- Space Payloads

Leidos; United States; 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, CA. Lead end-to-end development of prototype optical sensors for space missions, bridging TRL 4 to 7 and ensuring performance in orbital environments.

You will oversee design authority, coordinate across engineering domains, perform rigorous design reviews, and drive hardware maturation to flight readiness while maintaining strict security clearances and program requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of applicable experience, or a Master’s with 10+ years.
• Active SECRET clearance required; ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.
• Subject matter expert in IR optical or opto-mechanical engineering.
• Breadth across software, algorithms, and electrical 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, algorithms, and software workflows.
• Mature hardware from TRL 4 through TRL 7 to enable flight readiness and demonstrations.

Skills

Optical engineering

Software development

System architecture

Real-time processing

Signal processing

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 12+ years

Master’s degree + 10+ years

Tools

Zemax

Code V

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Job Description

The Emerging Space Systems Division at Leidos currently has an opening for a Chief Engineer to work in our San Diego, CA office. This role focuses on the end‑to‑end development of prototype optical sensors for space‑based missions, 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 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

$131,300.00 – $237,350.00

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That is 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.