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Principal Systems Engineer Technical Program Manager

Leidos


Job Location:

Huntsville, AL - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 131300 - 237350
Posted: 29 September 2026 (Yesterday)
Application Deadline: 27 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact

At Leidos we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers success. We empower our teams contribute to our communities and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers our people and our community. Our Mission Vision and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos Defense is seeking a highly skilled visionary Principal Systems Engineer / Technical Program Manager role to join our multi-disciplinary engineering organization. This role you will encompass aspects of both senior technical leadership and program management by helping customers define complex problem spaces drive system architecture in multi-contractor environments define/help refine programmatic concerns and guide high-performance platforms from concept through design-for-manufacturability and production for critical Department of War (DoW) initiatives. As a Principal contributor you will act as a primary technical liaison with government stakeholders and contractor collaborators translating complex customer concepts into executable architectures. You will provide strategic technical direction across multi-functional Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) identify communication bottlenecks manage high-level engineering complexities and guide teams through the entire lifecycle from theoretical development to the production floor.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive keep reading!

Leidos Defense Systems Sector provides a diverse portfolio of systems solutions and services covering land sea air space and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT large-scale intelligence systems command and control geospatial and data analytics cybersecurity logistics training and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the worlds toughest security challenges for customers with cant fail missions. To explore and learn more click here!

Are you ready to make an impact Share your resume with us today!

Primary Responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with government customers and stakeholders to define complex problem spaces operational needs and mission requirements for advanced high-speed atmospheric weapon systems and associated high-performance platforms operating under extreme thermal aerodynamic and environmental conditions.
  • Lead system architecture definition and integration across multi-contractor collaborative environments establishing clear interfaces conducting trade studies and driving technical consensus among government prime and subcontractor teams using systems engineering best practices and MBSE methods.
  • Oversee the full program lifecycle from theoretical concepts requirements negotiation and early analysis through design maturation verification design-for-manufacturability (DFM) implementation production transition and factory floor execution while maintaining cost schedule and technical performance.
  • Identify and resolve communication bottlenecks interface gaps and organizational misalignments between government personnel contractors and functional teams to ensure efficient decision-making reduce risk and maintain program momentum.
  • Direct multi-disciplinary Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and serve as primary technical liaison with government customers; host regular technical interchange meetings negotiate requirements ensure traceability and drive risk/opportunity management to maintain alignment across all partners.
  • Partner with systems engineering and Control Account Managers (CAMs) to establish program baselines develop work breakdown structures provide rigorous EVM inputs support competitive proposals and implement change management processes that prevent scope creep while enabling smooth technology transition from development to full-rate manufacturing.

Basic Qualifications.

  • Active Secret Clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance
  • Bachelors degree in ABET accredited Engineering discipline with a mix of 12 years of systems engineering and/or technical program management experience or a Masters degree and 10.
  • Proven background helping customers define complex problem spaces developing baselines and managing cost schedule and performance for high-performance defense platforms operating in extreme thermal aerodynamic and environmental conditions
  • Comprehensive working knowledge of systems engineering best practices Risk and Opportunity Management Earned Value Management Change management and requirements negotiation with customers to ensure traceability through all levels
  • Demonstrated experience leading organizing and collaborating with various Subject Matter Experts Functional members and managers (all non-direct reports) while working closely with the customer and government personnel to identify project risks/opportunities
  • U.S. Citizenship is strictly required
  • Ability to travel 1020%

Preferred Qualifications.

  • Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies SysML concepts or requirements tools such as IBM DOORS.
  • Prior experience developing competitive proposals that led to major program awards ($4M) and executing programs under budget with EVMS metrics.
  • Hands-on experience designing experiments for failure analysis design verification design trade studies and root cause resolution.
  • Demonstrated success implementing production cost models Six Sigma methods and additional change management processes while transitioning complex systems in multi-contractor environments.
  • Extensive experience with Technology Development Transition to Manufacturing and Full Manufacturing including design-for-manufacturability

If youre looking for comfort keep scrolling. At Leidos we outthink outbuild and outpace the status quo because the mission demands it. Were not hiring followers. Were recruiting the ones who disrupt provoke and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. Were already at step 30 and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:
September 15 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 $131300.00 - $237350.00

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.


Required Experience:

Staff IC


About Company

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Leidos is an innovation company rapidly addressing the world's most vexing challenges in national security and health. Our 47,000 employees collaborate to create smarter technology solutions for customers in these critical markets.

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