Principal Systems Engineer

Leidos; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 167,000 - 278,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with company match

Paid time off

Flexible schedules

Education and training support

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer (SE-3) to drive requirements derivation and refinement for a mission-critical program in the National Security Sector. You will collaborate with software developers, SMEs, and analysts to shape system architectures, CONOPs, and development artifacts, while leading a growing team and delivering critical status updates.

The role emphasizes proactive leadership, strong communication, and extensive SE experience in complex programs, with a Top

Qualifications

• 20 years of SE experience in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or related discipline; 5 years of additional SE experience may substitute for a degree.
• Clearance: Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph

Responsibilities

• Derive functional, system, and performance requirements
• Develop CONOPs and architecture diagrams
• Develop schedules for features and perform backlog grooming
• Write or review documentation
• Lead the team and create status reports

Skills

Leadership

Agile methods

Requirements derivation

Systems engineering

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or related discipline

Tools

Jira

Confluence

MS Project

Visio

Job description

Description

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Principal Systems Engineer in our National Security Sector's (NSS) Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security!

Are you seeking a new and challenging position supporting a complex Program for the Warfighter, which implements the latest technology? Well, look no further! This is an exciting time to contribute to a mission-critical program with lasting impactful results. Leidos is currently looking to add a Principal Systems Engineer (SE-3) to a growing task. The SE will work closely with the team of software developers, Subject Matter Experts, and analysts to perform requirements derivation and refinement. The candidate must be a proactive, self- starter with significant technical leadership experience and excellent communication skills.

Primary Responsibilities

• Derive functional, system, and performance requirements
• Develop various systems engineering artifacts (CONOPs, architecture diagrams, etc.)
• Develop schedules for features; Perform backlog grooming
• Write or review documentation
• Serve as team lead
• Create various status reports

Basic Qualifications

• Twenty (20) years' experience as a SE in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity is required. Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or related discipline from an accredited college or university is required. Five (5) years of additional SE experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree.
• Clearance Requirement: Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in planning and leading Systems Engineering efforts
• Participate in an Integrated Product Team to design new capabilities based upon evaluation of all necessary all development and operational considerations
• Support the planning and test analysis of the DoD Certification/Accreditation Process (as well as other Government Certification and Accreditation (C&A) processes)ed.
• Experience with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence)
• Agile experience
• Experience with MS Project and/or Visio

CONMD

CSSRC

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:

August 19, 2026

Pay Range:

Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

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.