Principal Systems Engineer

Leidos; Odenton (MD); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Holidays

401K match

Flexible schedules

Stock purchase plan

Technical upskilling

Education support

Parental leave

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to define the technical vision and lead large-scale systems engineering initiatives supporting DO and CSD missions in NSA-aligned work. You will establish architectural direction for emerging technologies and provide senior technical guidance to Government stakeholders.

This role requires a Bachelor's or higher in engineering (or Computer Science/Math/Physics) with 8–10 years of relevant experience, a TS/SCI with poly, and proven leadership on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering with 10+ years relevant experience, or advanced degrees with fewer years.
• Active TS/SCI with polygraph clearance required.
• Proven senior technical leadership on complex cryptologic or cybersecurity programs.
• Experience establishing technical vision and driving architectural innovation.
• Experience in requirements engineering, analysis of alternatives, and value modeling.

Responsibilities

• Define technical vision and architectural approaches for complex cryptologic and cybersecurity systems.
• Lead strategic requirements analysis, solution design, and value modeling for emerging technologies.
• Conduct comprehensive analysis of alternatives and risk assessments for mission-critical systems.
• Develop enterprise-level CONOPs, system architectures, and technical documentation.
• Provide senior technical oversight for integration, testing, and deployment of complex systems.

Skills

Senior leadership

Requirements engineering

Architectural vision

Stakeholder advisory

Travel CONUS/OCONUS

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree

Doctoral degree

ABET alternative calculus requirement

Job description

Description

Job Description:

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Principal Systems Engineer in our Intelligence Sector’s 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!

Program Summary

Leidos supports critical missions within the Directorate of Operations and Directorate of Cybersecurity, delivering systems engineering solutions that enable cryptanalysis, foreign intelligence operations, and protection of National Security Systems. Our team explores, designs, and integrates emerging technologies to provide the nation with a decisive advantage over adversaries.

Job Summary

We're seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to define technical vision and lead large-scale systems engineering initiatives supporting DO and CSD missions. You'll establish architectural direction for emerging technologies, conduct strategic analysis of alternatives, and serve as senior technical advisor to Government stakeholders while driving innovation in cryptologic and cybersecurity capabilities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Define technical vision and architectural approaches for complex cryptologic and cybersecurity systems
• Lead strategic requirements analysis, solution design, and value modeling for emerging technologies
• Conduct comprehensive analysis of alternatives and risk assessments for mission-critical systems
• Develop enterprise-level CONOPs, system architectures, and technical documentation
• Provide senior technical oversight for integration, testing, and deployment of complex systems
• Establish and enforce systems engineering methodologies aligned with NSA policies and best practices
• Serve as senior technical advisor to Government stakeholders; mentor engineering teams
• Assess and improve organizational processes to facilitate strategic mission objectives

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering plus 10 years of relevant experience, OR Master's plus 8 years, OR Doctoral plus 6 years
• Alternatively: Bachelor's/Master's/Doctoral in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics with equivalent experience
• For non-ABET programs: degree must include differential and integral calculus plus 5 of 18 specified technical areas*
• Active TS/SCI with polygraphclearance required
• Proven senior technical leadership on complex, large-scale cryptologic or cybersecurity programs
• Deep expertise in requirements engineering, analysis of alternatives, and value modeling
• Experience establishing technical vision and driving architectural innovation
• Ability to work in a SCIF environment and travel CONUS/OCONUS as needed

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:

October 2, 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 $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, 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.