Hybrid SATCOM Chief Engineer

About the role

The selected candidate will serve as the senior technical authority responsible for the program's systems architecture, technical baseline, engineering strategy, and lifecycle execution of advanced Hybrid SATCOM capabilities supporting Department of Defense customers. Working in partnership with the Program Manager, the Chief Engineer will lead engineering activities across the full acquisition lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for the C3HST Program, establishing and maintaining the system architecture, technical baseline, engineering governance, and technical execution strategy across the full acquisition lifecycle.
• Lead systems engineering activities across the complete acquisition lifecycle, including Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), requirements development, architecture definition, rapid prototyping, engineering development, integration, verification, validation, Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), production readiness, fielding, sustainment, and technology modernization.
• Develop resilient Hybrid SATCOM architectures integrating military and commercial SATCOM, multi-orbit communications (LEO, MEO, GEO), secure networking, mission management, and cloud-enabled capabilities using Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles and open architecture standards including SOSA™, OpenVPX, FACE, CMOSS, and related frameworks.
• Conduct technical trade studies, architecture assessments, technology evaluations, and engineering planning while establishing technical roadmaps, reference architectures, and interface standards that ensure solutions are secure, interoperable, scalable, manufacturable, supportable, and aligned with customer mission requirements.
• Partner with the Program Manager to ensure successful execution of technical objectives while balancing cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, risk, and mission requirements.
• Provide technical leadership and oversight of an integrated engineering organization consisting of Leidos engineers, subcontractors, OEMs, and strategic industry partners, ensuring alignment with program objectives, interface requirements, engineering standards, and technical best practices.
• Lead technical reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PRR, and customer milestone reviews), oversee technical risk, configuration management, interface control, and engineering quality while mentoring engineering staff and fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
• Provide technical subject matter expertise in support of customer engagements, technical interchange meetings, and strategic growth initiatives as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, or related technical discipline with 12+ years of relevant engineering experience supporting DoD or national security programs (additional experience may be considered in lieu of degree).
• Demonstrated experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, Technical Director, or equivalent technical leadership role supporting complex defense or aerospace programs.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations consisting of internal engineering teams, subcontractors, OEMs, and industry partners.
• Demonstrated experience serving as the technical authority across the acquisition lifecycle, including Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), prototyping, Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD), Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), Full-Rate Production (FRP), and lifecycle sustainment.
• Strong background in Hybrid SATCOM, SATCOM, C4ISR, communications systems, networking, systems integration, or related defense technologies.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles and open architecture standards including SOSA™, OpenVPX, FACE, CMOSS, or comparable DoD open systems frameworks.
• Experience managing technical baselines, engineering risks, interface control, and technical performance while interacting with senior government, military, and industry stakeholders.
• Ability to travel as required to support customer and program activities.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret security clearance required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
• Experience supporting U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, SSC, AFLCMC, DISA, or other DoD SATCOM organizations.
• Experience supporting programs spanning Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD), Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP), Full-Rate Production (FRP), and lifecycle sustainment.
• Experience with Digital Engineering, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Agile, DevSecOps, Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs), and digital thread methodologies.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement.