Principal Systems Engineer

Employer description

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Principal Systems Engineer in our Intelligence Sector’s Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA).  Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management.

At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more.  Join us and make a difference in National Security!

Program Summary

Leidos delivers advanced technical, engineering, and system administration expertise in direct support of a high-priority foreign engagement mission. This established effort leverages solutions, alongside tailored engineering approaches, to enable mission-critical capabilities within a secure, high-trust environment. The program supports a complex and evolving mission where experienced cleared professionals operate side-by-side with the customer to architect, integrate, modernize, and optimize systems that directly drive operational outcomes.

Job Summary

Leidos is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to lead the analysis of user requirements, CONOPS, and system architectures to design and deliver scalable solutions across Linux server environments, containerized platforms, and NexGen architectures. The ideal candidate will leverage GOTS products and Apache NiFi to support modern, data-driven mission capabilities.

This role provides technical leadership in requirements development, system design, and integration of distributed technologies. The candidate will develop system architecture documentation, support integration and testing efforts, and collaborate with Government stakeholders to resolve technical challenges. The Senior Systems Engineer will ensure the integrity of engineering deliverables while working closely with cross-functional teams and program leadership

Primary Responsibilities

Develop and allocate system and functional requirements across hardware, Linux servers, containerized platforms, and NiFi data flows, ensuring traceability and completenessDesign and evaluate NexGen system architectures leveraging GOTS products, container technologies, and enterprise server environmentsDerive and manage detailed requirements, ensuring they are verifiable, unambiguous, and aligned with mission and stakeholder needsEstablish and maintain configuration and change management processes, including participation in CCBs and design reviewsLead development and review of system engineering documentation, ensuring alignment with Linux, container, and distributed system architecturesSupport system integration, verification, and validation efforts across server-based and containerized environments, including security requirements implementationProvide technical leadership and coordination across Integrated Product Teams, ensuring delivery of scalable, secure, and operationally effective solutions

Qualifications

Twenty (20) years of Systems Engineering experience in programs of similar scope, including experience with Linux server environments, container technologies, GOTS product integration, and data flow tools such as Apache NiFiDemonstrated experience leading system engineering efforts in modernized (NexGen) architecturesBachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or related disciplineFive (5) years of additional Systems Engineering experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree​

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NSSPF

If you’re looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:August 25, 2026

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:Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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.