Systems Engineer SME

Description

Leidos National Security Sector combines technology-enabled services and mission software capabilities in the areas of cyber, logistics, security operations, and decision analytics to support our defense and intel customers' mission to defend against evolving threats around the world. Our team's focus is to ensure our customers have the right tools, technologies, and tactics to keep pace with an ever-evolving security landscape and succeed in their pursuit to protect people and critical assets.

The Intelligence Production Solutions Division (IPSD), part of the Decision Advantage Solutions Business Area, is currently seeking a highly experienced Systems Engineer Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Chinook Program. As an engineering SME, you will provide authoritative technical direction, enterprise-level strategy, and thought leadership to help the Customer's advance its geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) mission.

You will collaborate with senior government leadership, guide mission-critical architecture decisions, and shape the design, development, and integration of complex geospatial systems in support of national security.

Position may be performed in the following locations below. Please note Gaithersburg, MD is the program's primary work location.

• Gaithersburg, MD
• Alexandria, VA
• Chantilly, VA
• Aurora, CO
• St. Louis, MO
• Tucson, AZ

Top Secret with SCI eligibility and able to obtain a Polygraph.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as a key technical advisor to the Customer's leadership, contributing to strategic planning and enterprise systems architecture decisions.
• Lead the development and assessment of enterprise systems engineering processes, frameworks, and modernization efforts.
• Develop, review, and provide guidance on system and interface requirements, architecture products, CONOPS, and system design.
• Perform independent verification and validation (IV&V) of technical solutions to ensure compliance with the Customer's and IC-wide standards.
• Conduct enterprise-level trade studies, risk assessments, and capability gap analyses.
• Collaborate with government stakeholders, mission partners, and contractor teams to ensure enterprise interoperability and data integration.
• Support technical evaluations, readiness assessments, and milestone reviews across the Customer's programs.
• Mentor senior and junior engineers, promoting engineering rigor and a culture of innovation and accountability.

Basic Qualifications:

• US citizenship is required per contract.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field and 12-15 years of prior relevant experience or Master's with 10-13 years of prior relevant experience.
• Deep expertise in systems engineering principles, enterprise architecture, and mission-critical system integration in an IC or DoD environment.
• Proven experience advising senior leadership and delivering technical recommendations at the enterprise level.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Customer or other GEOINT-focused agencies or programs.
• Proficiency with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools (Cameo), architecture frameworks (DoDAF, UAF), and modeling languages (SysML).
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctorate in a technical field or advanced certifications (e.g., Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP), INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP), CISSP, Security+ certification, or similar credentials.
• Working knowledge of cloud-native architectures, AWS (C2S), microservices, and data interoperability standards.
• Experience with similar Customer enterprise engineering efforts.
• Familiarity with IC governance models, compliance policies, and GEOINT workflows.
• Experience bridging the gap between strategic vision and technical execution in mission-critical environments.

Come break things (in a good way). Then build them smarter.

We're the tech company everyone calls when things get weird. We don't wear capes (they're a safety hazard), but we do solve high-stakes problems with code, caffeine, and a healthy disregard for "how it's always been done."

October 10, 2025

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 $126, $227,950.00

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.