Principal Systems Engineer/SME

Leidos; Fort Meade (FL); On-site; USD 154,000 - 278,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

11 paid Holidays

401K with 6% company match

Flexible Schedules

Discounted Stock Purchase Plans

Technical Upskilling

Education and Training Support

Parental Paid Leave

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer in the Intelligence Sector’s Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). The role leads design, integration, testing, deployment and sustainment of packet-based hardware and software systems using COTS and GOTS products across hardware, software, and network components for mission success.

The position requires 20+ years of Systems Engineering on complex programs, a technical bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, and an Active TS/SCI with

Qualifications

• 20+ years of Systems Engineering experience on programs/contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.
• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline related to Information Technology, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. Five (5) additional years of Systems Engineering experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.
• Active TS/SCI with polygraph clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, integration, testing, deployment, training, and sustainment of packet-based hardware and software systems leveraging COTS and GOTS products.
• Direct end-to-end systems integration across hardware, software, and network components to ensure interoperability, scalability, and optimized performance.
• Develop and execute system integration plans, validation and verification procedures, and deployment strategies to ensure operational readiness and requirements compliance.
• Develop, update, and maintain BASH and PERL scripts to automate system setup, configuration, and maintenance of core servers and clustered computing environments.
• Implement automation initiatives and process improvements to enhance system reliability, efficiency, and long-term maintainability.
• Provide senior-level technical leadership, advanced troubleshooting, and lifecycle sustainment support, including system upgrades, patching, and performance tuning.
• Deliver training and technical guidance to administrators, operators, and cross-functional engineering teams while ensuring adherence to security and configuration management standards.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/SE/CS

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 delivers advanced technical, engineering, and system administration expertise in direct support of a high-priority foreign engagement mission. This established effort leverages proven solutions and tailored engineering approaches to deliver mission-critical capabilities within a secure, high-trust environment. The program supports a complex and evolving mission where experienced cleared professionals work side-by-side with the customer to architect, integrate, modernize, and optimize systems that directly drive operational outcomes.

Job Summary

The Principal Systems Engineer serves as a senior technical authority leading the design, integration, testing, deployment, training, and sustainment of packet-based hardware and software systems utilizing Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) products. This role drives end-to-end systems integration across hardware, software, and network components to ensure seamless interoperability, operational performance, and mission success across a complex technical landscape.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design, integration, testing, deployment, training, and sustainment of packet-based hardware and software systems leveraging COTS and GOTS products.
• Direct end-to-end systems integration across hardware, software, and network components to ensure interoperability, scalability, and optimized performance.
• Develop and execute system integration plans, validation and verification procedures, and deployment strategies to ensure operational readiness and requirements compliance.
• Develop, update, and maintain BASH and PERL scripts to automate system setup, configuration, and maintenance of core servers and clustered computing environments.
• Implement automation initiatives and process improvements to enhance system reliability, efficiency, and long-term maintainability.
• Provide senior-level technical leadership, advanced troubleshooting, and lifecycle sustainment support, including system upgrades, patching, and performance tuning.
• Deliver training and technical guidance to administrators, operators, and cross-functional engineering teams while ensuring adherence to security and configuration management standards.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of twenty (20) years of Systems Engineering experience on programs/contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.
• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline related to Information Technology, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. Five (5) additional years of Systems Engineering experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.
• Security Clearance requirement: Active TS/SCI with polygraph clearance.

NSSPF

CONMD

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:

March 6, 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 $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.