Crewed Aircraft Systems Director of Engineering (Chief Engineer)

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customer’s success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

If this sounds like an environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Are you a natural leader, ready to take on the challenge of directing a team to deliver Next-Generation Airborne ISR Platforms? Your search ends here! Leidos Defense Group's Airborne Solutions Operation is seeking a Chief Engineer to join our efforts.

Our team provides aircraft-based solutions and operational expertise worldwide for our U.S. Military and foreign partners. Since 9/11, Leidos has been a leader in quick reaction capabilities (QRC) deployments of advanced mission equipment package (MEP), including communications, SIGINT, full-motion video, and radar sensor suites with the supporting infrastructure to provide actionable intelligence. With over 100 aircraft delivered to date, our ISR operations play a crucial role in providing intelligence in world events, including in Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Pacific.

As our Chief Engineer in Virginia, you will have the chance to support current and emerging opportunities, including the U.S. Army's Fixed Wing (Jet) Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) and international programs. You will work on current multi-year programs, including Contractor Owned/Contractor Operated commercial derivative aircraft that support the U.S. Army with upgraded and enhanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities for their airborne reconnaissance needs.

Our team is geographically separated, with primary duty locations in Manassas, VA, Bridgewater, VA, and Huntsville, AL. No matter the location, you'll play a vital role in delivering solutions to the U.S. government and partners in response to current and emerging world events. Are you up for the challenge? Your greatest work is ahead!

Join a team dedicated to a mission. Begin your journey of a flourishing and fulfilling career, share your resume with us today!

The Challenge:

• Develop system release schedules that meet program objectives and present those schedules to leadership and the customer.

• Effectively direct a geographically dispersed multi-discipline team to achieve the program schedule and all deliverable requirements. 

• Coordinate with the IPT and subcontractor teams to effectively build and deploy new system baselines and revisions.

• Interface with Government customers, support contractors, and teammates.

• Plan, manage, and enforce ARL-E hardware, software, and process baseline standards.

• Create and maintain documentation associated with support activities.

• Provide support metrics and report to leadership.

• Maintain performance of subsystem as systems are tested and checkouts completed.

• Troubleshoot to isolate system faults and perform repairs.

• Assist leadership with planning schedules and ensure proper personnel coverage for support activities.

• Support the engineering team in the design, integration, and security posture of products; COTS, GOTS, and Leidos Developed.

• Support design, development, integration, testing, and operational fielding of ARL-E to multiple aircraft and locations.

• Manage and deploy annual and out-of-cycle baseline updates.

• Develop engineering design and test plans to meet all system requirements.

• Develop and maintain engineering documentation and diagrams.

• Provide technical leadership and oversight of crewed AISR capability.

• Ensure the viability of programs in execution, helping shape proposals with solid engineering approaches and systems engineering discipline, and direct the course correction of underperforming programs.

• Contribute to and review proposals and white papers, evaluate technical staff and resources, maturation of engineering processes, and support the Chief Technology Officer in engagements with customers, subcontractors, and vendors.

• Position reports to the Airborne Operations Chief Technology Officer under the Office of Technology in Leidos.

What Sets You Apart:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or STEM field with a minimum of 17+ years of related work experience, or a Master's degree with a minimum of 15 years of related work experience.

• Aviation experience (5 years minimum) or Mission Equipment Payload (MEP) systems experience for manned or unmanned ISR platforms.

• Technical leadership experience (3 years minimum) directing a medium-to-large program supporting design, development, integration, and testing of a complex, multi-component ISR system.

• A strong background in mission system integration and production of systems at the program of record high-volume level (desired) or low-rate initial production level (minimum).

• Demonstrated experience with lessons learned (including experience with and recovery from failures and technical and execution issues), risk management, and successful mitigation planning is essential.

• Strong leadership talents are a must, with the ability to guide, direct and manage high-end engineering staff.

• Engineering domain experience including:

• Technical authority to ensure flawless execution of existing programs.

• Management of multi-disciplinary engineering teams, integrated product teams, working groups, and trade studies – ownership of the technical baseline.

• Management and oversight over rigorous system engineering processes and tools to include requirements management, baseline management, risk management, configuration management, schedule management, verification and validation, and reporting.

• Driving discrimination and innovation in the system engineering process and tools in areas such as Digital Engineering.

• Developing, enforcing, and improving engineering policy, standards, best practices, and management.

• Ability to mentor and lead a large technical team.

• Possess strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and organizational and verbal/written communication skills.

• A minimum of 25% travel may be required to support activities at each primary duty location and CONUS test ranges.

You Might Also Have:

• Experience with Bombardier Challenger and Global Series aircraft modifications.

• 7+ years of direct supervisory experience.

• Airborne ISR system operational experience.

• Experience managing ISR system development, testing, operations, and sustainment.

• Familiarity with FAA and DOD Commercial Derivative Aircraft (CDA) Programs and Airworthiness Policies.

• Experienced designing and developing solutions aligning with Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) requirements.

• Experience driving innovation in model-based engineering principles (e.g. MBSE, MBE, MBD, etc.).

• Work experience with aircraft manufacturing, modification, and/or repair station operations.

• Experience providing technical leadership of proposals for medium to large-sized efforts ($50M-$1B).

• Familiarity and experience with Open, Agile, and Digital development methodologies.

• Experience with lifecycle development of large system integration programs following DoD standards and experience with relevant quality control standards such as AS9100.

Clearance Required:

• Current DOD Secret Clearance

At Leidos, the opportunities are boundless. We challenge our staff with interesting assignments that provide them with an opportunity to thrive, professionally and personally. For us, helping you grow your career is good business. We’d like to learn more about you, apply today!

Pay Range:

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.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500® technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company’s 45,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022.  For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

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. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [email protected].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to 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.