Principal Systems Engineer

Leidos

. Lead systems engineering activities across the full lifecycle, including requirements definition, architecture, integration, verification, and validation .

Posted 5/1/2026full-timeGaithersburg • Maryland, New Jersey • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $131,300 - $237,350 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead systems engineering activities across the full lifecycle, including requirements definition, architecture, integration, verification, and validation
Own and govern system and capability-level requirements, ensuring traceability to mission needs and program objectives as well as verification planning within an Agile delivery framework
Partner with system and solution architects on architecture runway, trade studies, and technical decision-making
Identify, assess, and manage cross-team technical risks, dependencies, and constraints
Provide technical oversight during integration, test, and operational readiness activities
Ensure systems engineering best practices are applied consistently across teams
Serve as Product Owner (or Lead PO) for major system components or value streams
Own and prioritize capability- and feature-level backlogs, balancing mission value, technical risk, and delivery capacity
Translate complex system requirements into clear, actionable epics, features, and user stories with well-defined acceptance criteria
Actively participate in Agile ceremonies, ensuring engineering intent and mission value are clearly represented
Utilize AI-assisted tools and LLM platforms for requirements analysis, backlog refinement, design exploration, and documentation
Act as a primary liaison between stakeholders, engineering teams, and program leadership
Create and maintain systems engineering artifacts, including requirements documentation, interface control documents (ICDs), architecture views, and verification matrices.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience)
12+ years of related experience or 10+ years of experience with a Master's degree
Experience in systems engineering, product ownership, or related technical leadership roles
Demonstrated experience leading systems engineering efforts on complex, software-intensive programs
Strong experience working in Agile environments (SAFe)
Proven ability to translate mission or business objectives into prioritized technical and product backlogs
Experience collaborating with architects, engineering leads, and program leadership
Proficiency with Agile and requirements management tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Cameo, Jama, or similar)
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust
US citizenship is required.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health and Wellness programs
Income Protection
Paid Leave
Retirement

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

systems engineeringrequirements definitionarchitectureintegrationverificationvalidationAgile delivery frameworkrequirements analysisbacklog refinementtechnical decision-making

Soft Skills

leadershipcommunicationcollaborationrisk managementprioritizationtechnical oversightstakeholder liaisonproblem-solvingadaptabilitycritical thinking

Certifications

Bachelor's degree in Systems EngineeringBachelor's degree in Computer ScienceBachelor's degree in EngineeringMaster's degreePublic Trust