Back to search
Description
Are you ready to take charge at the cutting edge of national defense? Leidos is seeking a dynamic Senior Systems Engineer to join our SEI&T team at Ft. Belvoir, VA. In this role, you'll directly impact the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Special Access Program Central Office (SAPCO), where innovation meets national security.
In this high-stakes position, you’ll be the linchpin in developing, integrating, and securing advanced missile defense technologies. Your work will not only protect sensitive information but also shape the future of our defense capabilities. This is more than a job—it’s a chance to leave your mark on national security.
Primary Responsibilities
• Guard Critical Technologies: Lead taskforce efforts to evaluate technology integration with a laser focus on protecting critical program information (CPI). Help facilitate LO/CLO Coordination Panel (LCCP) working group. Cultivate solutions and build consensus with radar subject matter experts. Prepare and present staff packages and summary briefings for coordination through leadership.
• Design Robust Test Architectures: Independently assess and define the security needs of missile defense systems—including sensors, interceptors, weapon systems, and communications. Develop fully integrated test architectures in collaboration with program offices and guide the seamless implementation of these designs. Conduct formal risk assessments and implement effective risk management strategies to safeguard CPI and ensure comprehensive security measures are applied to sensitive testing performed in multi-level security environments.
• Drive Engineering Excellence: Steer a cross-functional engineering team through critical reviews and technical analysis of program requirements, specifications, test plans, and overall program strategies. Your innovative designs and coordination will pave the way for effective development, testing, and fielding of next-generation missile defense capabilities.
• Execute Specialized Security Strategies: From crafting complex Program Protection Plans to developing Security Classification Guide architectures, you’ll deploy custom-tailored security engineering actions to meet a variety of high-stakes assignments and timelines.
Basic Qualifications
• Educational & Professional Credentials: A Master’s degree from an accredited college/university in science/engineering with 10+ years of engineering experience
• Clearance Credentials: An active DoD Top Secret security clearance with TS/SCI eligibility is a must, ensuring you’re ready to work in the most sensitive areas of national defense.
• Missile Defense Mastery: Experience in DoD/W environments and/or previous Missile Defense experience (sensors, interceptors, C2BMC, FMS, LO/CLO) is a must to operate in this diverse organization
• Communication Pro: Exceptional technical writing, editing and verbal communication skills, to include briefing senior leaders and ability to adjust to audience feedback real-time, shows your clarity and decisiveness under pressure
• Coordination Guru: Background in Action Officer roles and exhibiting a strong, proactive work ethic by steering teammates and processes, frequent task status updates, follow up, and meeting suspense deadlines driven by time sensitive developmental and operational events.
Preferred Qualifications
• Special Programs Savvy: A background in DoD special programs and familiarity with DoD SAP policy and security posture demonstrates your ability to thrive in complex, multi-dimensional security environments.
• Detail-Oriented Proficiency: Your extreme attention to detail and organizational expertise ensure every facet of security is meticulously managed
• Exquisite Memory Repository: Dedication to learning and retaining key program details, classification tear lines, and personnel roles allows for timely assessments and coordination
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:
January 20, 2026For 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 - $237,350.00The 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.
About Leidos
Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.
Pay and Benefits
Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.
Securing Your Data
Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com.
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
