Systems Engineer

The Defense Sector at Leidos currently has an opening for an experienced Systems Engineer to provide research and development engineering support to the Propulsion Development Branch, DEVCOM Armaments Center, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ.

Primary Responsibilities

• Implement requirements definition, functional decomposition, and trade studies to advance multidisciplinary concepts from initial formulation to an allocated prototype baseline.
• Optimize system design and ensure technical baseline closure by tracking and balancing Technical Performance Measures (TPMs) against cost and schedule constraints.
• Plan and manage systems engineering execution in MS Project; developing Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), mapping critical paths, and tracking schedule milestone.
• Guide multidisciplinary Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) through formal Systems Engineering Technical Reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, PRR), establishing entry/exit criteria, synthesizing technical data packages, and driving discrepancy resolution for advanced defense systems.
• Identify, quantify, and manage technical and programmatic risks, developing actionable burn-down and mitigation plans while maintaining and briefing dynamic RIO registers at milestone reviews and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs).
• Guide end-to-end prototyping and test execution, including subscale feasibility testing, modeling and simulation (M&S) coordination, fabrication oversight, and full-scale test reporting (test matrices, plans, and qualification).
• Leverage Microsoft productivity and analytics tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI) to author formal technical reports, white papers, and qualification plans, model engineering datasets, develop interactive performance dashboards, and deliver executive milestone briefing.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, Systems, or related engineering discipline required.
• Master of Science (MS) or higher preferred.
• 10 plus years of relevant experience.
• Expert knowledge of system engineering principles and practices.
• Demonstrated abilities in the areas of responsibilities listed above.
• High level of expertise with MS Project, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• US citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with energetic materials, munitions, ordnance, propulsion systems, or related defense technologies.

Pay Range

Pay Range: Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

Original Posting: September 16, 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.

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 $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit

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.

• competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave and Retirement

Commitment and Diversity

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.