Senior Systems Engineer & Technical Lead (SME)

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

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Systems Engineering SME to lead the technical direction for the Chinook program, shaping architecture and modernization strategies. You will guide cross-functional teams, ensure system availability, and mentor engineers while engaging with government managers and end users.

The role requires Top Secret/SCI clearance and a strong background in Agile/DevSecOps, cloud, and complex enterprise systems. Multiple U.S. locations may apply, including Gaithersburg and Alexandria.

Qualifications

• US citizenship is required per contract.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field with 12–15 years of prior relevant experience or Master’s with 10–13 years of prior relevant experience.
• 12+ years of progressive systems engineering experience supporting software-intensive or enterprise systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and influencing engineering strategy.
• Deep knowledge of systems architecture, integration, lifecycle engineering, and systems thinking.
• Experience leading engineering efforts within Agile and DevSecOps environments.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, collaboration, and technical mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead and systems engineering authority for the customer application.
• Define system architecture, engineering standards, roadmaps, and modernization strategies.
• Manage and maintain cloud-based application systems to ensure high availability and performance.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues and develop effective solutions for system functionality.
• Evaluate opportunities to use AI tools for troubleshooting and monitoring.
• Lead requirements analysis, system design, integration, verification, and validation.
• Guide technical decision making across cross-functional teams.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovative solutions.
• Lead risk identification, mitigation planning, and trade studies.
• Mentor systems engineers and promote engineering best practices.
• Partner with leadership to align technical solutions with mission objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement for performance, security, and maintainability.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Technical Leadership

Agile & DevSecOps

Mentoring

Python

C++

Cloud & Linux

Education

Bachelor's in Systems Engineering or Computer Science

Master's degree with 10+ years experience

Doctorate in a technical domain

Tools

Python

C++

Linux

Cloud (AWS/Azure)

Automation

Job description

Leidos is seeking a Systems Engineering SME to lead the technical direction for the Chinook program, shaping architecture and modernization strategies. You will guide cross-functional teams, ensure system availability, and mentor engineers while engaging with government managers and end users.

The role requires Top Secret/SCI clearance and a strong background in Agile/DevSecOps, cloud, and complex enterprise systems. Multiple U.S. locations may apply, including Gaithersburg and Alexandria.