Leidos's Air and Space Force Division has an opening for a Chief Engineer supporting the Air Force (AF). The selected candidate will serve as the Chief Engineer for the AF's Integrated Defensive Cyberspace System (IDCS) Program and report directly to the Defensive Cyber Portfolio Director.
The IDCS program supports AFLCMC/HNCD who serves as the program office for several defensive cyberspace weapon systems and capabilities, including Air Force (AF) Cyberspace Defense (ACD), Cyberspace Defense Analysis (CDA), Big Data Platform (BDP), and Cyber Vulnerability Assessment/Hunter (CVA/H). In 2020, the AF expressed a vision for an integrated common system for cyberspace defense. The program office designed a new architecture that effectively replaces the existing Hardware (HW) solutions for the ACD, CDA, and CVA/H weapon systems and establishes an Integrated Defensive Cyber System (IDCS) ecosystem, standardized on a Common Sensor Platform. Leidos provides sustainment, development, and orchestration solutions for the current and next generation weapon systems.
The Chief Engineer will be responsible for the technical planning, system hardware-software-network design, development and integration, verification and validation, and fielding of solutions and capabilities for the IDCS program. They will ensure the overall integrity, quality, and completeness of technical work performed and associated deliverables are of the highest standards. They will also have the opportunity to apply their extensive expertise in engineering to deliver the AF's next generation defensive cyber weapon system.
Primary Responsibilities: - Provide engineering expertise and oversight for the program throughout the capability delivery lifecycle, from requirements development through fielding and transition to operations.
- Work closely with the IDCS program manager to develop technical and programmatic schedules, evaluate design alternatives including cost and risk, provide input on subcontractor selection and provide sound recommendations to resolve technical challenges and issues
- Perform systems requirements analysis, functional analysis, timeline analysis, trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition, technical management, integration, system testing, and quality assurance
- Oversee system planning and designs ensuring compatibility with the Government Reference Architecture
- Provide guidance and direction to the team on all product development and deliverables
- Effectively communicate with the Government regarding engineering technical considerations and negotiate to convince stakeholders at all levels to accept our concepts, solutions and approaches
- Resolve technical problems, issues, and conflicts within the IDCS program.
- Collaborate with other experts in the field to identify innovative solutions
- Assist the IDCS program manager with development of SOWs, RFPs, perform tech evals, recommend selection and provide technical oversight and approval of subcontractor and vendor deliverables.
- Communication with customer's Chief Engineer, Chief Architect, and technical leads on a weekly/recurring schedule.
- Mentor mid-level and junior staff
Basic Qualifications: - Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance within 365 days after start date.
- Minimum Bachelor's Degree from accredited college or university in an Engineering or technically related discipline.
- 12+ years of total engineering experience, with 5+ years in a technical leadership role (Chier Engineer, Technical Director, or Lead Architect).
- Minimum seven (7) years of hands-on experience in at least two (2) cyber disciplines (e.g., network defense, vulnerability assessment, forensics, or cyber weapons platforms).
- Solid understanding of SDLC models, Agile and traditional project management practices, and DevSecOps.
- Systems engineering experience including design, deployment and configuration of software solutions, defensive cyber systems, and/or DoD weapons systems.
- Experience in writing subsystem specifications and managing tasks to cross-discipline technical contributors.
- Experience with all technical aspects of cyber systems delivery - software, hardware, infrastructure, and security.
- Excellent written and verbal communications with senior Government officials, including high-ranking military members and senior civilian executives regarding technical risks, AoAs/Trade-Offs, and milestone delivery status.
- Must have proven expertise leading, architecting, and executing large-scale development programs.
- Compliance with DoD 8140 certification (e.g., CISSP-ISSAP).
Preferred Qualifications: - Master's Degree in related field.
- Prior relevant experience with Defensive Cyber Weapon Systems.
- Experience managing projects using software development life cycle models (SDLC) such as CMMI, modern SELC models such as SAFe, Agile, and/ SecDevOps.
- Experience with applied AI/ML for threat hunting, response automation, or user/entity behavioral analytics
- Experience with AF defensive cyber systems, e.g., SIEM, SOAR, ELICSAR, ICAM, etc.
- Knowledge and experience with USAF or DoD plans, policies, standards, and methods aimed at the acquisition and support of software and computer resources.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and direct high-tempo, multi-team efforts while managing cost/schedule/risk for programs.
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:September 8, 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 $154,050.00 - $278,475.00
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.
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