Senior Systems Engineer

Leidos; Corridor North (MD); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer in the Intelligence Sectors, Cyber & Analytics, to lead requirements derivation, system architecture, and program planning. You will collaborate with software developers, SMEs, and analysts to refine needs and produce architectural artifacts, plans, and documentation.

The role requires a TS/SCI with Polygraph clearance, extensive SE experience, and familiarity with DoD-style certification processes and agile practices.

Qualifications

• 14 years' experience as a SE in programs of similar scope and complexity required.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management or related discipline; 5 extra years may substitute for a degree.
• Clearance: Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph.

Responsibilities

• Derive functional, system, and performance requirements.
• Develop system artifacts (CONOPs, architecture diagrams, etc.).
• Develop schedules for features and perform backlog grooming.
• Write or review documentation.
• Create various status reports.

Skills

Clearance TS/SCI w/ Polygraph

Education

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering/CS/IS/EE/Engineering Management

Tools

Jira

Confluence

MS Project

Visio

Job description

Description

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Senior Systems Engineer in our Intelligence Sectors, 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!

The Systems Engineer (SE) will work closely with the team of software developers, Subject Matter Experts, and analysts to perform requirements derivation and refinement. The candidate must be a proactive, self‑starter with significant technical leadership experience and excellent communication skills.

Primary Responsibilities

• Derive functional, system, and performance requirements
• Develop various systems engineering artifacts (CONOPs, architecture diagrams, etc.)
• Develop schedules for features; Perform backlog grooming
• Write or review documentation
• Create various status reports

Basic Qualifications

• 14 years' experience as a SE in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity is required. Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or related discipline from an accredited college or university is required. Five (5) years of additional SE experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree.
• Clearance Requirement: Top Secret/SCI with Polygraph

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in planning and leading Systems Engineering efforts
• Participate in an Integrated Product Team to design new capabilities based upon evaluation of all necessary all development and operational considerations
• Support the planning and test analysis of the DoD Certification/Accreditation Process (as well as other Government Certification and Accreditation (C&A) processes)ed.
• Experience with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence)
• Agile experience
• Experience with MS Project and/or Visio

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: September 9, 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.

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.