Systems Engineer

Leidos Inc; New Jersey; On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to support the Propulsion Development Branch at DEVCOM Armaments Center, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ. The role focuses on defining requirements, performing trade studies, and guiding IPTs through formal systems engineering reviews to achieve a funded prototype baseline.

You will optimize designs, manage TPMs versus cost/schedule, and coordinate planning, scheduling (MS Project), and risk mitigation across cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, Systems, or related engineering required; MS or higher preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in systems engineering or defense programs.
• Expert knowledge of system engineering principles and practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient with MS Project, Excel, and PowerPoint; ability to manage schedules and reports.
• US citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Implement requirements definition, functional decomposition, and trade studies for prototype baselines.
• Optimize system design and track TPMs against cost and schedule constraints.
• Plan and manage systems engineering execution in MS Project and develop WBSs.
• Guide IPTs through SRRs and other reviews, setting entry/exit criteria and resolving issues.
• Identify and manage technical and programmatic risks with burn-down plans.
• Oversee prototyping, testing, and modeling/simulation coordination.
• Use MS Office tools to produce technical reports, white papers, and dashboards.

Skills

Systems engineering

MS Project

Excel

PowerPoint

Communication

US citizenship

Trade studies

Technical documentation

Education

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace or Mechanical or related engineering

MS or higher degree preferred

Tools

MS Project

Excel

Power BI

PowerPoint

Job description

Description

The Defense Sector at Leidos currently has an opening for an experienced Systems Engineer to provide research and development engineering support to the Propulsion Development Branch, DEVCOM Armaments Center, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ.

Primary Responsibilities

• Implement requirements definition, functional decomposition, and trade studies to advance multidisciplinary concepts from initial formulation to an allocated prototype baseline
• Optimize system design and ensure technical baseline closure by tracking and balancing Technical Performance Measures (TPMs) against cost and schedule constraints
• Plan and manage systems engineering execution in MS Project; developing Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), mapping critical paths, and tracking schedule milestone
• Guide multidisciplinary Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) through formal Systems Engineering Technical Reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PRR), establishing entry/exit criteria, synthesizing technical data packages, and driving discrepancy resolution for advanced defense systems
• Identify, quantify, and manage technical and programmatic risks, developing actionable burn-down and mitigation plans while maintaining and briefing dynamic RIO registers at milestone reviews and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs)
• Guide end-to-end prototyping and test execution, including subscale feasibility testing, modeling and simulation (M&S) coordination, fabrication oversight, and full-scale test reporting (test matrices, plans, and qualification)
• Leverage Microsoft productivity and analytics tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI) to author formal technical reports, white papers, and qualification plans, model engineering datasets, develop interactive performance dashboards, and deliver executive milestone briefing

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, Systems, or related engineering discipline required; Master of Science (MS) or higher preferred1
• 10 plus years of relevant experience
• Expert knowledge of system engineering principles and practices
• Demonstrated abilities in the areas of responsibilities listed above
• High level of expertise with MS Project, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• US citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience with energetic materials, munitions, ordnance, propulsion systems, or related defense technologies.

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 16, 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 $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

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.