About this role
Description Leidos is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer (LEAD) to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the development of the Leidos Common Automation Platform (L-CAP). L-CAP is a mission-critical, future-ready automation platform built on a hybrid cloud data mesh architecture, enabling next-generation air traffic management capabilities. You will lead systems engineering across a four-ART engineering organization, providing technical governance for requirements, interfaces, integration, verification, and safety analysis. We are building with an AI-first engineering mindset, embracing emerging AI capabilities and modern development practices to accelerate delivery, improve software quality, and continuously evolve how we design and build mission-critical systems. This position supports government programs and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation.
This role is part of a growing program, and hiring will depend on available funding. We review applications on a rolling basis, but the timeline for interviews and offers may vary. In some cases, we may extend contingent offers that become active once funding is confirmed.
This position is located in Gaithersburg, MD; Egg Harbor Township, NJ; or Eagan, MN. This is an opportunity to contribute to projects that impact millions of air travelers.
This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days onsite and 2 days remote work. Candidates should reside a commutable distance to one of the above locations.
What You'll Do
Lead cross-program systems engineering activities across four ARTsEstablish and govern requirements management processes and standardsDefine and manage interface control documents and integration specificationsDevelop verification and validation (V&V) strategy and execution plansMaintain requirements traceability from stakeholder needs through implementationLead system integration planning and execution across the platformConduct safety analysis including hazard identification and mitigationSupport certification activities and regulatory compliance evidenceDefine and enforce SE process standards and best practicesLead technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, and TRREnsure cross-ART architectural consistency by establishing shared systems engineering standards and interface governanceLead modernization planning from a systems engineering perspective including decomposition strategies and transition sequencingGovern interfaces between legacy and modernized services maintaining technical coherence across the programChampion an AI-first engineering culture by identifying and applying AI-assisted development capabilities, automation, and emerging software engineering practices that improve developer productivity, code quality, testing, and delivery. Core Technical Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of relevant experience or Master's degree and 10+ years of experience or equivalent experience.
Systems engineering leadership for large-scale, complex programs
Requirements management expertise including decomposition and allocation
Verification and validation planning and execution at the enterprise level
Interface management across multiple subsystems and teams
MBSE and SysML modeling experience for complex system architectures
System integration planning and execution for distributed platforms
Safety-critical systems engineering including hazard and risk analysis
Aviation or defense domain systems engineering experience
Proficiency with DOORS, Jama, or equivalent requirements management tools
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance; US citizenship required; subject to government background investigation
Experience ensuring architectural consistency across multiple development teams or release trainsDemonstrated leadership in systems engineering for large-scale modernization programsAbility to obtain and maintain a Public TrustU.S. citizenship requiredSuccessful completion of background investigations as required by the government customer Preferred / Desired Qualifications
FAA certification experience (DO-178C, DO-254, DO-278A)
DO-178 and DO-254 compliance and evidence development
INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP)
Large program SE leadership across 100+ engineers
Model-based systems engineering approaches
Formal verification and validation methods
Experience governing interfaces between legacy and modernized services in complex system-of-systems environments Why Leidos?
You'll work on systems where performance, precision, and reliability matter - every second. This is not experimental AI for prototypes. This is disciplined, responsible AI applied to mission-critical software that supports national infrastructure.
If you're excited by solving complex problems in regulated, real-world environments - and using AI as a force multiplier rather than a shortcut - we'd like to talk.
ATMC
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:
August 21, 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 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.
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 [email protected].
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.