Systems Engineer SME

Lead the technical vision and shape the future of the Chinook Program as a Systems Engineer Subject Matter Expert (SME). This high-impact leadership role provides technical authority for systems engineering activities, influencing the architecture and direction of a mission-critical application while mentoring high-performing engineering teams.

About the role

As the Systems Engineering SME, you will serve as the technical authority for systems engineering, shaping the future of a mission-critical application. You will monitor systems, troubleshoot anomalies, and interact with end users, security teams, cloud provisioning, and external interfaces. Your role includes providing feedback to development and test teams to improve software reliability, maintaining system documentation, and presenting updates to end users and government managers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead and systems engineering authority for the customer application.
• Define system architecture, engineering standards, technical roadmaps, and modernization strategies.
• Manage and maintain cloud-based application systems to ensure high availability, reliability, and performance.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues and develop effective solutions to support system functionality and operational needs.
• Evaluate opportunities in the use of AI tools and how they can be applied to troubleshooting and system monitoring.
• Lead requirements analysis, system design, integration, verification, and validation activities.
• Guide technical decision-making across cross-functional engineering teams.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovative solutions to improve system capabilities.
• Lead technical risk identification, mitigation planning, and engineering trade studies.
• Mentor systems engineers and promote engineering best practices across the program.
• Partner with program leadership and stakeholders to align technical solutions with mission objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance system performance, scalability, security, and maintainability.

Requirements

• U.S. 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 a Master’s with 10-13 years of prior relevant experience. A Doctorate in a technical domain may also qualify.
• 12+ years of progressive systems engineering experience supporting software-intensive or enterprise systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and influencing engineering strategy.
• Deep knowledge of systems architecture, integration, lifecycle engineering, and systems thinking.
• Experience leading engineering efforts within Agile and DevSecOps environments.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with the ability to successfully pass a Polygraph examination.

Qualifications

• Exceptional leadership, communication, collaboration, and technical mentoring skills.
• Experience supporting large-scale government or mission-focused programs.
• Demonstrated use of AI tools to optimize systems or ideas for deploying AI in system management.
• Expertise in cloud-native architecture, distributed systems, and enterprise modernization.
• Systems Engineering Professional (SEP), INCOSE, CISSP, Security+, or similar credentials.
• Proficiency in Python or C++ for software development, automation, and system support.
• Experience with Linux operating systems for application deployment, automation, and support.
• Proven success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams across complex technical programs.

Locations

This position may be performed in one of the following locations:

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

Pay

Pay Range: $131,300.00 - $237,350.00. The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline and not a guarantee of compensation. Additional factors considered include 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 benefits. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.