Operational Test Project Manager

00100 LEIDOS, INC.; Lancaster (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking an Operational Test Project Manager to lead OT&E efforts for advanced weapon systems and mission capabilities. You will plan, execute, and oversee test programs across platforms, coordinating with acquisition offices, operational units, and test agencies to ensure data quality and safety compliance.

You will manage multidisciplinary teams, prepare briefings and decision-support products for senior leadership, and apply DoD/DoDI guidance throughout the test lifecycle.

Qualifications

• 8 years of related experience with at least 2 years in test and evaluation, systems acquisition, and/or operational planning.
• Familiarity with DoD/USAF acquisition lifecycle and OT&E processes.
• Ability to manage complex projects and lead diverse teams in dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a project manager for operational test programs across a range of platforms, systems, or mission areas.
• Develop comprehensive test strategies, plans, and schedules in coordination with stakeholders, including acquisition program offices, operational units, and test agencies.
• Coordinate/collaborate with test organizations such as OPTEVFOR, AFOTEC, MAJCOM operational test organizations, Joint test partners, and OTMLs at operational units.
• Direct the execution of test events, ensuring test fidelity, data quality, and adherence to safety and operational standards.
• Manage multidisciplinary test teams consisting of pilots/operators, engineers, analysts, and logistics personnel.
• Oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting to evaluate system performance, mission capability, and operational suitability.
• Prepare and deliver briefings, formal test reports, and decision-support products to senior leadership and acquisition authorities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations (AFIs, DoDI 5000 series, TEMP guidance) and contribute to test policy development.
• Monitor risk and implement mitigation strategies throughout the test lifecycle.
• Support milestone decision reviews and participate in ITTs and OTRRs.

Skills

OT&E experience

Project management

DoD acquisition lifecycle

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, operations research, management, or related field

Tools

PMP/DAU Level II/III

Job description

Job Description/Scope:

Leidos is seeking an Operational Test Project Manager (OTPM) to lead, plan, and execute operational test and evaluation (OT&E) of advanced weapon systems, technologies, or mission capabilities. The OTPM plays a critical role in assessing system performance, effectiveness, suitability, and mission impact under realistic operational conditions to inform acquisition and fielding decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a project manager for operational test programs across a range of platforms, systems, or mission areas.
• Develop comprehensive test strategies, plans, and schedules in coordination with stakeholders, including acquisition program offices, operational units, and test agencies.
• Coordinate/collaborate with test organizations such as OPTEVFOR, AFOTEC, MAJCOM operational test organizations, Joint test partners, and Operational Test Management Liaisons (OTMLs) at operational units.
• Direct the execution of test events, ensuring test fidelity, data quality, and adherence to safety and operational standards.
• Manage multidisciplinary test teams consisting of pilots/operators, engineers, analysts, and logistics personnel.
• Oversee data collection, analysis, and reporting to evaluate system performance, mission capability, and operational suitability.
• Prepare and deliver briefings, formal test reports, and decision-support products to senior leadership and acquisition authorities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations (AFIs, DoDI 5000 series, TEMP guidance, etc.) and contribute to test policy development.
• Monitor risk and implement mitigation strategies throughout the test lifecycle.
• Support milestone decision reviews and participate in Integrated Test Teams (ITTs) and Operational Test Readiness Reviews (OTRRs).

Qualifications:

Required:

• Must currently possess a TS/SCI security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, operations research, management, or a related field.
• 8 years of related experience with at least 2 years of experience in test and evaluation, systems acquisition, and/or operational planning.
• Familiarity with DoD/USAF acquisition lifecycle and OT&E processes.
• Ability to manage complex projects and lead diverse teams in dynamic environments.
• Excellent communication, briefing, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred:

• Graduate degree in relevant discipline.
• Test Pilot School, Weapons School, or Test and Evaluation experience.
• Certification in Project Management (e.g., PMP) or Test and Evaluation (DAU Level II/III or Foundational/Practitioner).

Travel Requirement

Approx 10% travel may be required

Work Requirements

Full Time / 40 hours per week

Security

Active TS/SCI security clearance is required

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling.

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.

Original Posting:

November 9, 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 $107,900.00 - $195,050.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and 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.

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 $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026.

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 here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment‑related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment‑related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

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.