Senior Systems Engineer

Are you ready to take charge at the cutting edge of national defense? Leidos is seeking a dynamic Senior Systems Engineer to join our team at Ft. Belvoir, VA. In this role, you'll directly impact the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Special Access Program Central Office (SAPCO), where innovation meets national security.

Your Mission

In this high-stakes position, you’ll be the linchpin in developing, integrating, and securing advanced missile defense technologies. Your work will not only protect sensitive information but also shape the future of our defense capabilities. This is more than a job—it’s a chance to leave your mark on national security.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead Change and Build Consensus: Spearhead the LO/CLO Coordination Panel (LCCP) working group. Collaborate with radar subject matter experts to develop creative solutions, and prepare strategic briefings that resonate with leadership at all levels.
• Champion MDA Initiatives: Present persuasive cases and innovative ideas at the MDA Tri-Service Committee (TSC). Take charge by consolidating positions on foreign disclosure, export issues, and multinational developments, ensuring your insights drive transformative actions.
• Guard Critical Technologies: Lead taskforce efforts to evaluate technology integration with a laser focus on protecting critical program information (CPI). Use your analytical prowess to support protection studies and maintain uniform classification standards.
• Design Robust Security Architectures: Independently assess and define the security needs of missile defense systems—including sensors, interceptors, computers, and communications. Develop fully integrated security architectures in collaboration with program offices and guide the seamless implementation of these designs.
• Drive Engineering Excellence: Steer an engineering team through critical reviews of program requirements, specifications, test plans, and overall program strategies. Your innovative designs will pave the way for effective development, testing, and fielding of next-generation missile defense capabilities.
• Ensure Secure and Successful Testing: Architect comprehensive security measures for sensitive ground testing (digital, HWIL) and flight testing performed in multi-level security environments. Implement effective risk management strategies to safeguard CPI and secure formal risk assessments.
• Educate and Empower Your Team: Create detailed documentation and engaging training materials. Your work will ensure that program staff is well-equipped to implement sensitive test processes and security actions confidently.
• Execute Specialized Security Strategies: From crafting Program Protection Plans to developing Security Classification Guides, you’ll deploy custom-tailored security actions to meet a variety of high-stakes assignments.

Basic Qualifications:

• Educational & Professional Credentials: A Master’s degree in science or engineering from an accredited institution, coupled with 10+ years of robust engineering experience.
• Proven Department of Defense Expertise: Strong military or government DoD experience that has honed your skills in high-security, high-pressure environments.
• Clearance Credentials: An active DoD Top Secret security clearance with TS/SCI eligibility is a must, ensuring you’re ready to work in the most sensitive areas of national defense.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Missile Defense Mastery: Experience in DoD Acquisition or previous work with missile defense systems (sensors, interceptors, C2BMC, AT, FMS, LO/CLO) will set you apart.
• Special Programs Savvy: A background in DoD special programs demonstrates your ability to thrive in complex, multi-dimensional security environments.
• Communication Pro: Exceptional technical writing, editing, and verbal communication skills—your clarity and decisiveness will shine under pressure.
• Detail-Oriented Leader: Your extreme attention to detail and organizational expertise ensure every facet of security is meticulously managed.

At Leidos, we empower our people to be innovators and leaders. If you’re passion-driven, ready to tackle dynamic challenges, and eager to shape the future of missile defense, we want to hear from you. Step into a role where your expertise not only meets the moment—it defines it.

Ready to make a monumental impact in national defense? Join us, and let’s drive innovation together!

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.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and 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.