Lead Electrical Systems Engineer

Leidos; Beavercreek (OH); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to drive the architectural design, hardware-software integration, and deployment of next-generation tactical systems and avionics for DoD initiatives.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, guide hardware lifecycles, and translate military standards into robust, flight-ready electronics and LRUs for missiles, UAVs, and launch platforms.

Qualifications

• Active U.S. citizenship and Top-Secret clearance.
• 10+ years of hardware-architecture experience with reliable avionics or DoD hardware.
• Proven track record as hardware architect or technical lead delivering flight-worthy electronics.

Responsibilities

• Architect, lead, and deliver avionics and LRUs for missiles, UAVs, and launch platforms.
• Co-design using SoCs/FPGA technologies and complex network architectures.
• Oversee multi-layer PDN, low-noise regulation, and high-speed interfaces.
• Lead IPTs for electronics, cabling, grounding, and bonding with external subcontractors.
• Translate military standards into hardware requirements and support EVM and CapEx activities.
• Serve as test conductor or lead verifier for system-level testing and HWIL integration.

Skills

Top-Secret clearance

Hardware architecture

IPT Lead

Travel 10-20%

Education

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related STEM with 10+ years hardware-architecture experience

Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years hardware-architecture experience

Tools

Xilinx/AMD Zynq SoCs

Altera FPGAs

RTOS environments

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.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos Defense is seeking a highly skilled, visionary Principal Electrical Engineer to join our multi-disciplinary engineering organization. In this role, you will drive the architectural design, hardware-software integration, and deployment of next-generation tactical systems, advanced avionics, and flight instrumentation for critical Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives. As a Principal contributor, you will act as a primary subject matter expert, translating complex customer concepts into flight-ready hardware solutions. You will provide strategic technical direction across multi-functional Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), manage high-level engineering complexities, design robust embedded architectures, and guide engineering teams through entire hardware lifecycles.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Leidos Defense Systems Sector 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. To explore and learn more, click here!

Primary Responsibilities.

• Architect, lead, and deliver state-of-the-art avionics, electrical weapon interfaces, and custom/COTS Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) for missile systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and fieldable launch platforms.


• Support complex system co-designs utilizing high-performance Xilinx/AMD Zynq SoCs, Altera FPGAs, soft-core processors (MicroBlaze), and complex network architectures (bare-metal, RTOS-based, UDP/IP stacks, and Weapon Open System Architecture/WOSA messaging frameworks).


• Oversee complex Multi-Layer Power Distribution Network (PDN) definitions, multi-rail low-noise regulation circuits, rigid-flex PCBA layouts, and high-speed digital interfaces (PCIe, multi-Gbps transceivers, ADCs/DACs, and RF modems).


• Direct multi-disciplinary Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) for electronics, cabling, grounding, and bonding. Act as the primary internal technical authority, hosting weekly technical interchange meetings with external subcontractors to maintain design consistency.


• Partner with systems engineering teams to translate military standards into rigorous hardware requirements. support Control Account Managers (CAMs) by providing precise technical write-ups, work breakdowns, and schedule estimates for Earned Value Management (EVM), CapEx initiatives, and major competitive proposals.


• Act as a certified test conductor or lead verification engineer to establish comprehensive system-level test plans, environmental stress screening, HWIL integration, and launch-readiness countdown actions.

Basic Qualifications.

• Active Top-Secret Clearance


• Master’s degree in, electrical engineering, or related STEM discipline with 10+ years of hardware architecture experience; OR a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, or similar with 12+ years of relevant engineering experience.


• Proven background as a hardware architect or technical lead creating flight-worthy electronics, avionics assemblies, and custom PCBAs.


• Extensive experience with SoC/FPGA systems, RTOS environments, and high-frequency digital/analog hardware interfaces.


• Comprehensive working knowledge and implementation history with defense standards, including MIL-STD-461 (EMI/EMC), MIL-STD-704 (Aircraft Power), MIL-STD-1472 (Human Factors), IPC-D-620 Class 3 (Cabling/Harnessing), and IPC-D-630.


• Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams, acting as an IPT Lead, product owner, or scrum master within an agile framework.


• U.S. Citizenship is strictly required. Candidate must possess an active Top[Secret security clearance


• Ability to travel 10-20%

Preferred Qualifications.

• Prior experience designing electronics specialized for extreme environments (e.g., high-shock rocket deployments >10kG, thermal battery integrations, and un-potted chassis designs).


• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies, SysML concepts, or requirements tools such as Cameo/MagicDraw and IBM DOORS.


• Hands-on experience implementing open system architectures such as Weapon Open System Architecture (WOSA) or Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) messaging standards.


• Experience with advanced RF simulation tools, anechoic chamber testing, and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) for space-constrained power subsystems (such as CubeSats).

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.

Pay Range

Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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.

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].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

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.