Lead Systems Engineer
Description
Lead Systems Engineer – Ground-Based Radar Digitization (GBRD)
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Make a Meaningful Impact at Leidos
At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the dedication of our diverse and talented teams. We empower our people, support our communities, and operate with integrity and sustainability. Guided by our Mission, Vision, and Values, we are committed to doing what’s right—for our customers, our employees, and the world around us.
Your greatest work is ahead.
Leidos Defense Sector is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to support the Ground-Based Radar (GBR) Digitization Program, a major modernization effort enhancing the nation’s missile warning, missile defense, and space domain awareness capabilities.
Misson Overview
In this role, you will lead the Systems Engineering team responsible for modernizing legacy radar systems across eight Ground-Based Radar sites. These systems provide continuous surveillance, detection, tracking, and reporting of missile and satellite activity in support of Missile Warning (MW), Missile Defense (MD), and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) missions.
The GBR Digitization Program is implementing a common digital backend architecture and modernizing radar front-end systems to maximize standardization, improve maintainability, and enhance mission readiness across the enterprise.
Primary Responsibilities
Systems Engineering Leadership — Lead and manage a multidisciplinary Systems Engineering team supporting digital/MBSE modeling, requirements development, lifecycle engineering, FMECA, TRL management, site integration, testing, cybersecurity, RMF, training, and deployment.
Architecture & Design Development — Support the Radar and Cloud Chief Architects in defining system architectures, radar back-end modernization, algorithms, hardware, and software integration.
MBSE & Digital Engineering — Apply MBSE best practices to develop scenario threads, mission workflows, interface definitions, performance trades, MOSA interoperability, and system design baselines.
Requirements & Technical Baselines — Lead the development, decomposition, and traceability of mission, cyber, environmental, and sustainment requirements across the system lifecycle.
Risk, FMECA & TRL Management — Oversee fault analysis, technology readiness assessments, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure system reliability and mission performance.
Lifecycle Reviews & CDRLs — Prepare and present engineering artifacts, requirements packages, design documentation, and milestone review materials (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR).
Integration & Test Leadership — Guide integration planning, test strategy development, CI/CD alignment, and operational acceptance activities.
Stakeholder Communication — Convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders with a mission-focused approach and support the Chief Engineer in customer engagements.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 8+ years of relevant experience (additional experience, training, or certifications may substitute for degree).
US Citizen; Currently possesses an Active Secret Clearance.
Demonstrated experience with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Digital Engineering, Cameo, scenario thread development, system integration, configuration management, cybersecurity, test support, CI/CD, and operational acceptance.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Proven leadership and management experience supporting complex technical programs.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in a related field with 6+ years of relevant experience.
Experience supporting DoD, MDA, U.S. Space Force, Air Force, or Intelligence Community programs.
Experience with Integrated Tactical Warning / Attack Assessment (ITW/AA) systems or radar systems.
Experience with missile and space on-orbit events, cybersecurity, classified networks, cloud solutions, operational acceptance governance, and system lifecycle management.
AMSOPP1
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:
June 18, 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 $107,900.00 - $195,050.00The 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.
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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.
