R&D Chief Engineer

Description Leidos is seeking a Research and Development (R&D) Chief Engineer (Senior Level) to join our Beavercreek Ohio, Pentagon Blvd. office. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience helping the Air Force Research Labs (AFRL) Sensors Directorate, Rapid Technology Development & Demonstrations (RTD2) program perform research and development in the areas of open systems architecture (OSA) and rapid integration and demonstration of ISR technologies. In support of this multi-year high visibility program, this position will primarily be to support USAF programs at Wright Patterson Air Force Base through a combination of laboratory, ground, and flight testing, characterizing sensor(s)/system(s) performance and ensuring system readiness and operation. This position will report to the Director of Engineering and work alongside a technically diverse and talented team of professional engineers across various disciplines including Mechanical, Electrical, Software, and Model Based Systems Engineers and supported by cross-functional Configuration Management (CM), Test, Cyber, and Logistics. If selected, candidate will lead work directly with contract Program Managers and Financial Analysts to organize and lead multiple high visibility projects from concept through implementation to successful conclusion. This position will design, develop, oversee and manage the day-to-day execution aspects of current and future R&D projects while serving as a liaison between Portfolio Leadership and Government Customers. In addition to direct customer support, this position will provide guidance and expertise on the planning and execution of Leidos funded Internal Research and Development (IR&D) efforts. Primary Responsibilities u2022 Develop solutions to highly complex requirements, selling new ideas and concepts in support of operational goals and objectives. u2022 Integrate and translate complex concepts into tactical action plans. u2022 Work with customers to strategize and plan the development and integration of an architectural framework for sensor-based systems and Systems of Systems. u2022 Provides leadership, direction and guidance for developing solutions to engineering problems. u2022 Advise on and direct the planning for the implementation of engineering solutions including strategic objectives and timetables. u2022 Develop and maintain production and maintenance of system hardware and software documentation, including as-built documentation, capacity/performance plans, as well as all other areas of system life-cycle planning. u2022 Enable business growth by successful technical execution, innovation and customer engagement. u2022 Support proposal capture and development activities u2022 Provides leadership in representing the technical capabilities of the R&D portfolio u2022 Functions as an influential presence in attracting and retaining engineering business as well as key professional staff u2022 Stay up-to-date on state-of-the-art technologies relevant to AFRL and other relevant customers Day-to-Day Tasking u2022 Directly interface with customers/stakeholders to elicit requirements and provide up-to-date status on program progress, issues, and risks u2022 Generate and maintain project-level schedules and forecasting labor, material, and other direct costs (to include Subk if applicable) in close coordination with Program Management u2022 Work with Program Management to stand-up and kickoff new projects, manage execution through identified milestones, and perform closeout activities after successful completion u2022 Brief Portfolio Leadership on program/project status as risks/issues are identified and mitigated u2022 Brief customers/stakeholders at milestones to include design reviews, test readiness reviews, and other identified reviews u2022 Facilitate technical team execution by identifying and removing roadblocks slowing/halting progress from being made u2022 Review and approve technical briefings/material, designs, implementations, and reports as needed and drafted during execution of project activities Basic Qualifications u2022 This position typically requires a Bacheloru2019s degree, Masteru2019s degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; 8 to 12 years of experience with a Bacheloru2019s degree, 6 - 10 years of experience with a Masteru2019s degree, or 4 - 8 years with a PhD u2022 Bacheloru2019s in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Engineering/Science or related field preferred u2022 Demonstrated experience leading projects requiring multi-discipline teams to produce advanced sensors/systems based solutions with experimental/operational relevance u2022 Knowledge of and experience with Digital Engineering / MBSE processes and technologies including Cameo u2022 Experience in sensor phenomenologies (EO/IR, EW, Radar, MTI, etc) and advanced processing (e.g. imaging, fusion, characterization, etc) u2022 Knowledge of Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems and operations u2022 Experience with leading technical concept development, R&D environment, technical presentations, developing technical whitepapers, and proposals u2022 Experience with high profile briefings to internal executives and customersu2022 Excellent analytical and problem solving skills u2022 Ability to communicate and interact effectively at all levels of staff and management Security Clearance Requirements u2022 Must have an active DoD Secret clearance and the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret / SCI clearance u2022 Must be a U.S. Citizen Preferred Qualifications u2022 Active DoD Top Secret / SCI Clearance u2022 Demonstrated experience leading AFRL Sensors Directorate projects u2022 Demonstrated lab and field test experimentation, measuring sensors/systems/algorithm performance If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo u2014 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 u2014 and moving faster than anyone else dares. Original Posting: September 25, 2025 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 $126,100.00 - $227,950.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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. REQNUMBER: R-00167489All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Leidos will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment in accordance with relevant Laws. Leidos is an equal opportunity employer/disability/vet.

Created: 2025-10-04