Principal Systems Engineer

Leidos; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense is seeking a highly skilled Principal Systems Engineer to lead architectural design, hardware-software integration, and deployment of next-generation DoD systems in a multi-disciplinary team. You will translate complex customer concepts into flight-ready hardware and guide IPTs through hardware lifecycles.

Responsibilities include directing IPTs, converting military standards into precise hardware requirements, and developing system-level test plans, HWIL, and EVM-aligned

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or STEM with 10+ years of systems engineering experience.
• 10+ years systems engineering experience or 12+ with a bachelor’s degree.
• Architect or technical lead with flight-worthy weapon systems experience.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams as IPT Lead or agile lead.
• U.S. Citizenship and active Top Secret clearance.
• Willingness to travel 25% or more.
• Familiarity with defense standards.

Responsibilities

• Architect, lead, and deliver hypersonic vehicle designs and LRUs for missiles.
• Lead complex designs using high-integrated multi-disciplinary integration and WOSA/MOSA.
• Direct IPTs; host weekly technical interchange with subcontractors.
• Translate military standards into hardware requirements; support CAMs with EVM schedules.
• Act as test conductor to establish system-level test plans and HWIL integration.

Skills

Systems engineering

IPT Lead

Agile leadership

Security clearance

Education

Master's degree in engineering or related STEM

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

MBSE

SysML

Cameo/MagicDraw

IBM DOORS

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 Systems 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, and advanced technologies 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.

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 (https://www.leidos.com/company/our-business/defense) !

Primary Responsibilities.

Architect, lead, and deliver state-of-the-art hypersonic vehicle designs, and custom/COTS Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) for missile systems.

Support complex system designs utilizing high-integrated multi-disciplinary integration techniques and Weapon Open System Architecture/WOSA frameworks.

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

Partner with 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.

• Master’s degree in, engineering, or related STEM discipline with 10+ years of systems engineering experience; OR a bachelor’s degree in engineering, or similar with 12+ years of relevant systems engineering experience.
• Proven background as a architect or technical lead creating flight-worthy weapon systems.
• Comprehensive working knowledge and implementation history with defense standards
• 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 25% or more

Preferred Qualifications.

• Prior experience developing high complexity hypersonic systems
• 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.

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 30, 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, 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.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Leidos will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment in accordance with relevant Laws. Leidos is an equal opportunity employer/disability/vet.