Combat Systems Officer (CSO)

Leidos; Marysville (CA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Combat Systems Officer (CSO) with extensive aviation and electronic warfare background to support Common Mission Control Center requirements. The CSO will develop tactics and coordinate with DoD entities to meet client objectives, focusing on survivability and mission planning under dynamic schedules.

The role requires a TS/SCI clearance and a strong track record in mission planning, ISR operations, and coordinating with system program offices to advise leadership and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 8–12 years aviation experience or Master’s with 6–10 years aviation experience.
• Must currently possess a TS/SCI security clearance.
• Strong knowledge of mission planning systems, ISR operations, and aircraft survivability.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to program management reviews, human machine interface reviews, mission planning, and related working groups.
• Identify threats and survivability factors to support client objectives.
• Liaise with SPO, staff, DoD orgs and mission planning experts to advise leaders and planners.
• Provide advice to improve mission planning processes, efficiency, and equipment training requirements.
• Review and prepare mission plans for test, peacetime, and wartime operations.

Skills

Aviation experience

TS/SCI clearance

Mission planning knowledge

Liaison experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 8–12 years aviation experience

Master’s degree + 6–10 years aviation experience

Job description

Description

The Combat Systems Officer (CSO) is a Subject Matter Expert working in a small, close-knit team environment providing expertise in support of Common Mission Control Center requirements. The CSO leverages their aviation, electronic warfare experience, and critical-thinking prowess to develop tactics, techniques, and procedures to counter emerging threats. The CSO will also work and coordinate with DoD entities and agencies to facilitate cutting-edge product development to ensure client capabilities meet current and future objectives. The CSO must possess an in-depth understanding of the key factors in aircraft survivability and combat mission planning to ensure client objectives are met by finding both time-critical and long-term solutions to challenging and unconventional problems. The work schedule may be dynamic in nature. No overseas deployment is required.

Duties May Include But Are Not Limited To

• Providing support to program management reviews, human machine interface reviews, mission planning and other working groups/conferences.
• Identifying threats and survivability for proper decision making to best meet client objectives.
• Liaise with the System Program Office (SPO), staff, other DoD organizations, and mission planning experts to remain current on system capabilities, developments and initiatives to best advise unit leadership, tacticians, test directors, program managers and mission planners on policies, plans and execution.
• Providing advice and recommending options to manage and improve mission planning processes and procedures, efficiency and effectiveness, equipment capabilities and training requirements.
• Review, develop, and prepare mission plans for test, peacetime and wartime operations.

Required Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree and 8-12 years aviation experience or Master’s degree and 6-10 years aviation experience as a Combat Systems Officer, Electronic Warfare Officer, or Navigator. Must currently possess a TS/SCI security clearance.

Desired Skills

Strong knowledge of mission planning systems, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) operations, military aircraft combat mission planning, and the key factors in aircraft survivability. Recent operational experience. Must be comfortable with managing multiple tasks in a dynamic environment and an ability to complete assignments with little or no supervision. Experienced military aviators (pilot or flight officer) of manned and unmanned vehicles. RPA/UAV/UAS mission commanders / mission planners.

Original Posting

September 30, 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 $92,300.00 - $166,850.00

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 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.