Senior C4A Systems Engineer Subject Matter Expert

Leidos; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Suffolk, VA is seeking a Senior C4A Systems Engineer Subject Matter Expert to lead engineering efforts across C4A, network, and cybersecurity. The role covers design, integration, testing, and sustainment of secure architectures for joint, coalition, and mission-partner operations.

Responsibilities include technical leadership, developing analytical reports, validating interoperability, and providing briefings to government stakeholders.

Qualifications

• US Citizen with an active Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years related experience or Master’s degree with 6+ years related experience.
• Minimum 8 years supporting military operational activities; minimum 8 years Targeting experience.
• C5ISRT (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and Targeting Experience.
• Experience developing target packages and target list with detailed intelligence, capabilities and vulnerabilities.
• Experience in supporting multi-domain mission planning and effects-based targeting.
• Experience with automated targeting tools (e.g. JTT, MIDB) and Service specific fire control systems.
• Shall have a deep understanding of the F2T2EA Cycle and the data tools and techniques utilized for each phase of targeting.
• Analyze the operational effectiveness of targeting systems in various scenarios and environments.
• Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• C4A Engineering Leadership — Provide senior-level management of planning, preparation, research, coordination, and execution of C4A tasks with expert technical guidance.
• Analytical Product Development — Develop technical assessments, analytical reports, and executive briefings.
• Systems Testing & Validation — Plan and execute testing to validate network architectures and interoperability.
• Project Execution & Reporting — Monitor task execution and report status to stakeholders.
• Technical Training & Knowledge Transfer — Conduct internal training on systems engineering and cybersecurity topics.
• Sustainment & Operational Excellence — Ensure quality and productivity across engineering tasks.
• Operational & Technical Analysis — Gather requirements and assess mission impacts.
• Enterprise Network Engineering — Design and maintain secure mission-critical environments.
• Network Lifecycle Management — Lead architecture and lifecycle activities.
• Coalition & Interoperability Engineering — Support joint interoperability across environments.
• Project Engineering Leadership — Develop project plans and manage teams and risks.
• Technical Test Development — Create test cases and validation methodologies.
• Zero Trust & Data-Centric Security Integration — Apply Zero Trust and DCS principles.

Skills

C4A Systems Engineering

Network Engineering

Cybersecurity

Interoperability Testing

Project Leadership

Zero Trust

Data-Centric Security

Documentation

Interviews

Targeting

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

JTT

MIDB

VMware ESXi

Windows

Linux

Job description

Description

Senior C4A Systems Engineer Subject Matter Expert

Suffolk, VA

Minimum of Secret clearance required

The Defense Sector at Leidos is currently looking for a Senior C4A Systems Engineer Subject Matter Expert. The Senior C4A Systems Engineer Subject Matter Expert provides expert-level leadership, engineering expertise, and operational support across the full spectrum of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Assurance (C4A) activities. This position supports Joint, Coalition, and mission-partner interoperability initiatives through the design, integration, testing, assessment, and sustainment of complex network and system architectures.

The successful candidate will lead engineering efforts supporting secure operational environments, ranging from DoD classified and unclassified networks to coalition secret-releasable architectures and RDT&E environments. This role combines systems engineering, network engineering, cybersecurity, interoperability testing, and project leadership to enable mission success in complex multi-domain operational environments.

Primary Responsibilities:

• C4A Engineering Leadership — Provide senior-level management of planning, preparation, research, coordination, and execution of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Assurance (C4A) and engineering-related tasks, delivering expert technical guidance and operational analysis.
• Analytical Product Development — Develop and deliver comprehensive technical assessments, analytical reports, workflow visualizations, engineering recommendations, and executive-level briefings.
• Systems Testing & Validation — Plan, coordinate, and execute technical testing activities to validate network architectures, systems interoperability, security controls, and mission partner integration requirements.
• Project Execution & Reporting — Monitor engineering task execution and provide accurate status reporting to contract leadership and government stakeholders, ensuring project objectives, schedules, and deliverables are achieved.
• Technical Training & Knowledge Transfer — Conduct internal training aligned to systems engineering, network engineering, cybersecurity, and interoperability subject matter expertise to enhance organizational readiness.
• Sustainment & Operational Excellence — Support sustainment efforts to ensure consistent quality, efficiency, reliability, and productivity across all assigned engineering and operational tasks.
• Operational & Technical Analysis — Interview military, civilian, and contractor personnel to gather operational and technical requirements, assess mission impacts, identify capability gaps, and develop actionable recommendations.
• Enterprise Network Engineering — Apply expert knowledge of IT management, network engineering, systems engineering, IT administration, and assured C4 to design, implement, and maintain secure mission-critical environments.
• Network Lifecycle Management — Lead activities across the full network lifecycle, including architecture design, implementation, configuration, monitoring, maintenance, security, documentation, performance optimization, and troubleshooting.
• Coalition & Interoperability Engineering — Support and execute joint and coalition interoperability initiatives across classified, unclassified, releasable, and mission-partner environments to ensure seamless information sharing and operational effectiveness.
• Project Engineering Leadership — Serve as Project Engineer responsible for developing project plans, coordinating engineering and implementation teams, resolving technical risks, managing schedules, and communicating project status to stakeholders.
• Technical Test Development — Develop and execute technical test cases, test plans, and validation methodologies to assess system performance, interoperability, cybersecurity compliance, and operational suitability.
• Zero Trust & Data-Centric Security Integration — Apply Zero Trust principles and Data-Centric Security (DCS) methodologies to modern network architectures and security designs, ensuring secure access, information protection, and mission assurance.
• Emerging Technology Evaluation — Research, assess, and recommend new technologies, tools, and engineering approaches that improve operational performance, security posture, and interoperability capabilities.
• Documentation & Configuration Management — Develop and maintain engineering documentation, technical procedures, network diagrams, implementation plans, training materials, and system configuration baselines.

Basic Qualifications:

• US Citizen with an active Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years related experience or Master’s degree and 6+ years related experience. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum 8 years supporting military operational activities; minimum 8 years Targeting experience.
• C5ISRT (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and Targeting Experience.
• Experience developing target packages and target list with detailed intelligence, capabilities and vulnerabilities.
• Experience in supporting multi-domain mission planning and effects-based targeting.
• Experience with automated targeting tools (e.g. JTT, MIDB) and Service specific fire control systems.
• Shall have a deep understanding of the F2T2EA Cycle and the data tools and techniques utilized for each phase of targeting.
• Analyze the operational effectiveness of targeting systems in various scenarios and environments.
• Evaluate the impact of emerging technologies and trends on Targeting systems.
• Working knowledge of U.S, NATO, and coalition partner targeting processes, procedures, and systems.
• Apply analytical tools and methodologies to assess targeting system performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Must possess skills to communicate effectively and clearly in written reports and verbal presentations.
• Must possess skills to interview operational and technical military, civilian, and contractor to efficiently and accurately extract information.
• Must possess analytical skills to identify capabilities and limitations, assess operational impacts and provide focused, achievable recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active Top Secret with eligibility for CUI, NATO Secret, ACCMs, SCI and SAPs.
• Technically focused with all-around System experience (Network Engineering preferred)
• Experience working in a multi-national cooperative environment
• Experience working in data centric security environments
• Experience with Identity Based Access Control
• Clear understanding of the Zero Trust framework
• PKI Experience
• Protected Core Networking (PCN) experience
• Experience with a Virtual Environment (VMWare ESXi)
• Experience with Windows AND Linux Environments
• Experience in C2 and API
• Security+ Required (IAT 8570)
• CompTIA A+, Network+, MCSA, MCSE
• Cisco Certs (CCNP, CCNA, CCIE)
• Knowledge of OSI Model, and where technologies exist within each layer
• Knowledge of Authentication mechanisms (ABAC, RBAC, SAML 2.0)
• PMP or ITIL v3 Certification

DABAOPP1

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 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 $92,300.00 - $166,850.00

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.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

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.