Lead Hardware Systems Engineer

Leidos is seeking a Hardware Systems Engineer to join our Air Traffic Management Sector team in Gaithersburg, MD. This role supports the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) En-Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) technology, the core platform for the National Airspace System (NAS), enhancing flight efficiency, safety, and capacity.

About the role

As a Hardware Systems Engineer, you will independently plan and execute hardware engineering projects with significant impact on ERAM deliverables. You will collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to resolve technical and interface challenges while supporting the full hardware lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Independently plan and execute hardware engineering projects and processes with significant impact on project deliverables.
• Develop solutions to complex hardware problems through deep technical analysis of system requirements, interfaces, cost, schedule, risk, supportability, and system-wide impacts.
• Develop and maintain hardware designs and documentation, including electrical wiring diagrams, cable schematics, interconnect diagrams, cable lists, CAD drawings, Bills of Material (BOMs), Parts Lists, Cable Marking Specifications, and installation instructions.
• Perform technical analyses and trade studies to evaluate hardware solutions and support product selection.
• Support the hardware lifecycle: design, fabrication, integration, verification, installation, testing, troubleshooting, modification, and fielding.
• Coordinate with Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Site Activation, Procurement, Manufacturing, Integration and Test, Adaptation, and other teams to resolve technical and interface issues.
• Support formal engineering change and configuration management processes, including Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), technical impact assessments, and hardware baseline updates.
• Resolve hardware issues identified during integration, testing, and field installation, ensuring approved changes are incorporated into the hardware design baseline.
• Participate in design reviews and influence internal and client project teams regarding hardware solution design, processes, and implementation approaches.
• Develop level-of-effort estimates, schedules, resource requirements, and Estimates to Complete (ETCs) for assigned hardware activities.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and training to less-experienced engineering and technical staff.
• Identify hardware design and process improvements to enhance quality, efficiency, supportability, and maintainability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical discipline with 4–8 years of prior relevant experience, or Master's degree with 2–6 years of prior relevant experience.
• Experience independently executing hardware engineering projects, products, or processes within a technical area.
• Experience developing solutions to complex hardware engineering problems requiring technical analysis and consideration of system-wide impacts.
• Experience developing hardware designs and documentation such as electrical wiring diagrams, cable schematics, interconnect diagrams, cable lists, CAD drawings, Bills of Material (BOMs), and Parts Lists.
• Experience supporting formal engineering change processes, including ECNs, ECRs, configuration management, or controlled hardware baseline changes.
• Experience with system-level hardware integration, verification, installation, testing, troubleshooting, technical problem resolution, and deployment.
• Experience working across engineering disciplines to evaluate interfaces and resolve system-level integration issues.
• Experience communicating technical analyses and recommendations to internal and client project teams and influencing technical decisions.
• Experience providing technical guidance, coaching, or training to less-experienced engineering or technical staff.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and Visio.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, Visio, or other CAD software tools.
• Experience performing hardware trade studies and product selection based on technical, cost, risk, supportability, and implementation considerations.
• Experience developing engineering schedules, level-of-effort estimates, resource requirements, or Estimates to Complete (ETCs).
• Experience working on large-scale, safety-critical, mission-critical, or highly integrated systems.
• Experience working in FAA facilities, including CONUS Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs), the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center (WJHTC), or the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy (FAAAC).
• Experience with ERAM or other National Airspace System (NAS) systems.
• Experience with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance.

Pay

Pay Range: $87,100.00 - $157,450.00. 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.

Benefits

Leidos offers competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave, and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.