Senior Airborne ISR Payload Systems Engineer

Leidos; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Senior Airborne ISR Payload Systems Engineer to support the development, integration, testing, fielding, and sustainment of airborne SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT, and Multi-INT payloads.

The role requires an active TS/SCI with Polygraph, a Bachelor’s degree, and 12+ years of relevant experience with payload integration on airborne platforms. Travel CONUS 5–8% may be required as part of program responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required.
• Experience supporting SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT, or Multi-INT payloads on airborne platforms.
• Ability to work with government acquisition processes and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Assist and advise the customer in development, procurement, integration, testing, fielding, and sustainment of airborne payload systems.
• Support management of a portfolio of programs including monitoring performance, analyzing alternatives, and budgeting.
• Track equipment installations, ensure timely deliveries, and manage property tracking for payload gear across platforms.
• Develop strategies leveraging emerging technologies to increase mission capability.

Skills

TS/SCI with Polygraph

Airborne payload integration

Program management support

Travel CONUS 5–8%

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Description

Leidos is seeking a Senior Airborne ISR Payload Systems Engineer to provide technical and programmatic SETA support for the development, acquisition, integration, testing, fielding, and sustainment of airborne SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT, and Multi-INT collection payloads.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT: Candidates must currently possess an active TS/SCI with Polygraph to be considered for this position. There are no exceptions to this requirement. Candidates who do not currently hold the required TS/SCI with Polygraph will not be considered.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist and advise the customer in the research, evaluation, development, procurement, integration, testing, and sustainment of airborne collection payload systems.
• Support management of a portfolio of programs, including: Monitoring technical, schedule, and cost performance. Analyzing technical alternatives and supporting risk-management activities. Reviewing program expenditures and invoices against approved spend plans. Supporting development of future-year program budget requests.
• Support management of payload equipment, including: Tracking equipment installations across airborne platforms. Ensuring equipment purchases and deliveries align with operator need dates. Maintaining property tracking and accountability as equipment is procured, repaired, or retired. Planning and coordinating movement of hardware and personnel in support of operations.
• Develop strategies and plans that leverage emerging technologies and innovative TTPs/CONOPS to increase customer agility and mission capability.

Basic Qualifications

• Current TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of relevant technical experience supporting SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT, or Multi-INT collection payloads.
• Experience integrating ISR or intelligence collection payloads onto airborne platforms, including fielded-system support and troubleshooting.
• Experience with or knowledge of government acquisition processes and budget cycles.
• Experience supporting technical and programmatic activities with limited supervision.
• Ability to travel CONUS approximately 5–8%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience participating in or directing airborne range testing.
• Programmatic experience managing subcontractors or vendors.

#MSBA

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 1, 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.