Program Chief Engineer

Leidos; Lynnwood (WA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Program Chief Engineer in the Undersea Systems Division of the Maritime Business Area to lead a cross‑functional team of engineers and technicians in designing and delivering next‑generation maritime solutions. From unmanned underwater vehicles to advanced sensor systems, the role shapes capabilities that protect U.S.

interests globally. You will provide technical direction, oversee architecture and systems engineering, manage risk, and coordinate with program management to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Engineering (Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Ocean).
• 15+ years of engineering experience in subsea maritime programs or electro‑mechanical systems delivery.
• 10+ years in a leadership role guiding engineering teams.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain a Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership across the entire project/program to deliver critical undersea systems.
• Lead and mentor the program engineering team and ensure alignment with systems engineering practices.
• Manage engineering resources and authority to meet contractual requirements.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Subsea/ocean engineering

Program management

Technical communication

U.S. citizenship

Education

Engineering degree (Systems/Mechanical/Electrical/Software/Ocean)

Job description

Description

Lead the Future of Maritime Innovation

The Undersea Systems Division within the Leidos Maritime Business Area is looking for a Program Chief Engineerguide a talented, cross-functional team of engineers and technicians to hat design and deliver the next-generation maritime solutions. From unmanned underwater vehicles to advanced sensor systems, your leadership across a team of lead engineers will help shape capabilities that protect and advance U.S. interests around the globe.

Primary Responsibilities

• Program Chief Engineer Responsibilities:
  • Technical Leadership: Provide strategic and technical leadership across the entire project/program, leading the technical team across all disciplines in program execution to achieve delivery of critical undersea systems to our customers.
  • Team Leadership: Lead and mentor the program engineering team, overseeing engineering discipline and alignment with systems engineering practices, including architecture, requirements allocation, and design integration.
  • Technical Project Oversight: Manage the engineering technical resources and technical authority to meet the contractual requirements.
  • Systems Engineering: Follow systems engineering principles and implement best-practices for the engineering development aspects of the Program, from concept development through life-cycle support.
  • Communication: Act as the technical liaison between the engineering team and program management, supporting daily communications and tasking.
  • Risk and Issue Resolution: Identify and resolve technical challenges, oversee root cause investigations, ensure completeness in technical documentation and configuration management, fostering a culture of technical rigor and achievement of the program requirements.
  • Proposals: A Leidos Solution Architect that supports business development and capture activities, including proposal writing and solution design.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Engineering (Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Ocean).
• 15+ years of engineering experience in subsea maritime programs or programs with design and delivery of electro-mechanical systems.
• 10+ years in a leadership role guiding engineering teams.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain a Secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven track record leading the design, development, integration, and deployment of subsea maritime systems.
• Hands‑on knowledge and experience in several of the following areas of engineering and technology: Embedded systems and related software/firmware tools and techniques; Electronics design to support unmanned and autonomous systems, such as power distribution, battery systems, communications networks, sensors, data collection and storage, signal processing, use of industry standard design tools; Mechanical design for hulls, propulsors, packaging, with knowledge of materials properties, corrosion, modeling and simulation, engineering processes and software; Integration and test skills for moving a product through concept, prototyping, initial at-sea testing, and manufacturing/production refinement; Strong skills with physical phenomenology, such as underwater acoustics, power grounding and EMI behaviors, hydrodynamics, RF, optics, thermal dissipation, reliability.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 quality standards.
• Experience with DoD program management, contracts, budgets, and subcontractor oversight.
• Hands‑on experience transitioning designs into products, from concept development to manufacturing.
• Strong systems engineering expertise, including requirements management, technical documentation development and control, and verification/validation.
• Knowledge of signal processing, embedded systems, power distribution, and control systems for maritime applications.
• Strong organizational and communications skills and habits.
• Proven track record of leading teams through developmental projects from concept to working demonstration models, developing, mentoring, coaching, and building staff in technical acumen.

SUBSEAMSS

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.

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.