Systems Engineer Section Manager

About the role

Leidos Defense provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. The Systems Engineering Branch in Huntsville, Alabama is seeking a Systems Engineering Section Manager to join a team of five managers. This role involves daily management decisions for the branch while maintaining current technical commitments.

Responsibilities

• Manage at least six direct-report Systems Engineers within a matrixed organization, supporting varying programs, experience levels, and specialties (e.g., Risk, Reliability).
• Track long-term staffing and career development for direct reports, aligning opportunities with their skills and aspirations.
• Conduct frequent check-ins (weekly or bi-weekly) to monitor job satisfaction.
• Collaborate with technical supervisors to ensure performance meets expectations.
• Manage requests for purchased equipment (e.g., headsets).
• Report direct reports’ status to the Branch Manager weekly.
• Interview new candidates for the Systems Engineering Branch.
• Onboard new employees, including equipment requests, office space allocation, first-day orientation, and training on Leidos policies.
• Counsel employees with performance difficulties.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or an equivalent ABET-accredited degree with 8+ years of experience, or an MS with 6+ years.
• Experience deriving and managing requirements for complex electrical, electro-mechanical, mechanical, and software systems.
• Experience creating verification and test plans and coordinating system integration and test activities.
• Basic understanding of interceptor systems.
• Experience leading cross-discipline and product teams.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a team environment, including leading and conducting Technical Design Reviews.
• Resident of North Alabama or willing to relocate to Huntsville, Alabama.
• Active DoD Secret clearance (U.S. citizenship required).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master of Science in Systems Engineering from an ABET-accredited university.
• Experience with requirements management tools such as DOORS, JAMA, or Cameo/MagicDraw.
• Demonstrated experience leading a team of engineers.
• Experience accurately estimating engineering effort (hours) for Systems Engineering tasks.
• Understanding of DoD acquisition processes and methods.
• Experience supporting one or more DoD programs.
• Object Management Group (OMG) Certified System Modeler Professional (OCSMP) certification.
• INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) certification (ASEP or CSEP).

Pay

Pay Range: $107,900.00 - $195,050.00. The Leidos pay range is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation. Additional factors considered include job responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, internal equity, market data, and applicable bargaining agreements.

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.