Hybrid SATCOM Chief Engineer

Leidos Inc; Beavercreek (OH); On-site; USD 131,300 - 237,350; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a highly experienced Hybrid SATCOM Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership for the C3HST Program. The role serves as the senior technical authority responsible for architecture, baseline, engineering strategy, and lifecycle execution of Hybrid SATCOM for DoD customers.

Reporting to the Program Manager, you will lead multidisciplinary teams across AoA, requirements, prototyping, LRIP, production, fielding, and modernization, ensuring MOSA-aligned, secure, interoperable

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering with 12+ years DoD/national security experience.
• Experience as Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, or Technical Director in defense/aerospace.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations.
• Technical authority across AoA through sustainment lifecycle.
• Strong Hybrid SATCOM, MOSA and open architecture knowledge (SOSA/OpenVPX/FACE/CMOSS).
• Willingness to travel; active Top Secret clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for the C3HST Program across the full acquisition lifecycle.
• Lead systems engineering activities from AoA to production and sustainment.
• Develop resilient Hybrid SATCOM architectures with MOSA/open standards.
• Conduct architecture assessments, roadmapping, and interface standards.

Skills

Leadership experience

Systems engineering

DoD programs

Acquisition lifecycle

Architecture definition

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Active Top Secret clearance

Tools

SOSA

OpenVPX

FACE

CMOSS

MOSA

Job description

Description

Leidos is seeking a highly experienced Hybrid SATCOM Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership and engineering oversight in support of the C3HST Program. The selected candidate will serve as the senior technical authority responsible for the program's systems architecture, technical baseline, engineering strategy, and lifecycle execution of advanced Hybrid SATCOM capabilities supporting Department of Defense customers.

Working in partnership with the Program Manager, the Chief Engineer will lead engineering activities across the full acquisition lifecycle - from Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), requirements development, and prototyping through integration, Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), production, fielding, sustainment, and modernization. The Chief Engineer will provide technical leadership for an integrated engineering organization consisting of Leidos engineers, subcontractors, OEMs, and strategic industry partners, ensuring engineering excellence, architectural integrity, and delivery of secure, resilient, MOSA-compliant Hybrid SATCOM solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for the C3HST Program, establishing and maintaining the system architecture, technical baseline, engineering governance, and technical execution strategy across the full acquisition lifecycle.
• Lead systems engineering activities across the complete acquisition lifecycle, including Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), requirements development, architecture definition, rapid prototyping, engineering development, integration, verification, validation, Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), production readiness, fielding, sustainment, and technology modernization.
• Develop resilient Hybrid SATCOM architectures integrating military and commercial SATCOM, multi-orbit communications (LEO, MEO, GEO), secure networking, mission management, and cloud-enabled capabilities using Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles and open architecture standards including SOSA, OpenVPX, FACE, CMOSS, and related frameworks.
• Conduct technical trade studies, architecture assessments, technology evaluations, and engineering planning while establishing technical roadmaps, reference architectures, and interface standards that ensure solutions are secure, interoperable, scalable, manufacturable, supportable, and aligned with customer mission requirements.
• Partner with the Program Manager to ensure successful execution of technical objectives while balancing cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, risk, and mission requirements.
• Provide technical leadership and oversight of an integrated engineering organization consisting of Leidos engineers, subcontractors, OEMs, and strategic industry partners, ensuring alignment with program objectives, interface requirements, engineering standards, and technical best practices.
• Lead technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PRR, and customer milestone reviews), oversee technical risk, configuration management, interface control, and engineering quality while mentoring engineering staff and fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with government customers, engineering organizations, subcontractors, OEMs, and strategic industry partners, translating operational mission requirements into executable engineering solutions.
• Lead laboratory integration, interoperability testing, production readiness activities, operational demonstrations, and technical milestone reviews while ensuring compliance with DoD systems engineering processes, cybersecurity requirements, RMF, Zero Trust principles, and applicable open architecture standards.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level technical briefings, architecture reviews, engineering status updates, and technical recommendations while resolving complex technical challenges throughout the program lifecycle.
• Provide technical subject matter expertise in support of customer engagements, technical interchange meetings, and strategic growth initiatives as required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline with 12+ years of relevant engineering experience supporting DoD or national security programs (additional experience may be considered in lieu of degree).
• Demonstrated experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, Technical Director, or equivalent technical leadership role supporting complex defense or aerospace programs.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations consisting of internal engineering teams, subcontractors, OEMs, and industry partners.
• Demonstrated experience serving as the technical authority across the acquisition lifecycle, including Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), prototyping, Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD), Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), production, fielding, and sustainment.
• Strong background in Hybrid SATCOM, SATCOM, C4ISR, communications systems, networking, systems integration, or related defense technologies.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles and open architecture standards including SOSA, OpenVPX, FACE, CMOSS, or comparable DoD open systems frameworks.
• Experience managing technical baselines, engineering risks, interface control, and technical performance while interacting with senior government, military, and industry stakeholders.
• Ability to travel as required to support customer and program activities.
• Active Top Secret security clearance required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, SSC, AFLCMC, DISA, or other DoD SATCOM organizations.
• Experience supporting programs spanning Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD), Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), Full-Rate Production (FRP), and lifecycle sustainment.
• Experience with Digital Engineering, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Agile, DevSecOps, Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs), and digital thread methodologies.

Pay Range

$131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos' name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

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.