Systems Engineer SME

Leidos•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

Leidos is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide technical leadership for the Chinook Program supporting the customer’s application. The role serves as the technical authority for systems engineering activities, shaping the application’s architecture and future direction while promoting engineering excellence. The SME monitors system performance throughout the day, troubleshoots anomalies, and works with end users and support contractors responsible for security, cloud provisioning, and external system interfaces. The position also provides feedback to technical development leads and test engineers to improve software and testing effectiveness, reliability, and quality; maintains system documentation; and delivers presentations to end users and Government managers as required. The role may be performed in Gaithersburg, Maryland; Alexandria or Chantilly, Virginia; Englewood, Colorado; St. Louis, Missouri; or Tucson, Arizona. An active Top Secret/SCI clearance and the ability to successfully pass a polygraph examination are required.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required per contract.
Active Top Secret/SCI clearance and ability to successfully pass a polygraph examination.
Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with 12–15 years of prior relevant experience, or a master’s degree with 10–13 years of prior relevant experience; may possess a doctorate in a technical domain.
12+ years of progressive systems engineering experience supporting software-intensive or enterprise systems.
Demonstrated experience leading technical teams and influencing engineering strategy.
Deep knowledge of systems architecture, integration, lifecycle engineering, and systems thinking.
Experience leading engineering efforts within Agile and DevSecOps environments.
Exceptional leadership, communication, collaboration, and technical mentoring skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting large-scale government or mission-focused programs.
Experience using AI tools to optimize system performance, or ability to identify and articulate practical AI applications for the role.
Expertise in cloud-native architecture, distributed systems, and enterprise modernization.
Systems Engineering Professional (SEP), INCOSE, CISSP, Security+, or similar credentials.
Proficiency in Python or C++ software development, automation, and system support.
Experience with Linux operating systems for application deployment, automation, and systems support.
Proven success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams across complex technical programs.

Responsibilities

Serve as the technical lead and systems engineering authority for the customer application.
Define system architecture, engineering standards, technical roadmaps, and modernization strategies.
Manage and maintain cloud-based application systems to ensure high availability, reliability, and performance.
Troubleshoot complex technical issues and develop effective solutions to support system functionality and operational needs.
Evaluate opportunities to apply AI tools to enhance troubleshooting, system monitoring, and operational effectiveness.
Lead requirements analysis, system design, integration, verification, and validation activities.
Guide technical decision-making across cross-functional engineering teams.
Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovative solutions to improve system capabilities.
Lead technical risk identification, mitigation planning, and engineering trade studies.
Mentor systems engineers and promote engineering best practices across the program.
Partner with program leadership and stakeholders to align technical solutions with mission objectives.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance system performance, scalability, security, and maintainability.
Monitor system performance and troubleshoot anomalies as they arise.
Interact with end users and support contractors responsible for security, cloud provisioning, and external system interfaces.
Provide feedback to system technical development leads and test engineers to improve software and testing effectiveness, reliability, and quality.
Maintain system documentation and deliver presentations to end users and Government managers as required.