Chief Engineer - Systems

Chief Engineer - Systems - Air Traffic Description

Do you have experience in Air Traffic Control? Are you ready for your next challenge? We are looking to recruit an experienced Engineer who understands the challenges of a heavily regulated industry, preferably safety‑related, and experience in technologies and protocols similar to Token Ring and ADA. With a focus on delivery and operation, the Chief Engineer contributes to the development of solutions that influence strategic project/programme goals and business results.

They have a thorough understanding of advanced technical principles, theories, and concepts, recommend and collaborate in the development of new technical solutions and/or standards in support of strategy and operations. The successful candidate will be a natural self‑starter and team motivator who will guide the technical team to deliver upon Leidos commitments. They are a leader and champion in technical delivery with the experience to back up their decisions and actions, preferably hands on at a high level.

You will work with field leading subject matter experts who will provide detailed designs and with supporting functions within the division such as programme management, business, financial and senior leadership.

This is a Hybrid role. Whiteley, Hampshire with travel to customer sites across the South of England.

This role will require attainment and maintenance of SC clearance.

• Delivery Leadership – Leads and inspires multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver complex technical outcomes, driving pace while maintaining quality, assurance, and alignment to business objectives.
• Complex Systems Delivery Experience – Significant experience delivering large, complex technical solutions, ideally within Air Traffic Management or other safety‑critical, highly regulated environments.
• Technical Decomposition & Planning – Expert at breaking down complex technical problems into manageable, measurable, and trackable delivery plans, with clear ownership and milestones.
• Engineering Lifecycle Expertise – Strong experience across the full engineering lifecycle, including lifecycle methodologies, technical governance, assurance, lifecycle cost analysis, performance analysis, and trade‑off studies.
• Systems Engineering & Analysis – Deep expertise in systems engineering and/or technical business analysis, including requirements analysis, requirements management, and Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Systems Integration & Architecture – Demonstrable experience in large‑scale systems integration and systems architecture, including service‑oriented architectures and modern enabling technologies.
• Modelling & Evidence‑Based Decision Making – Advanced capability in modelling, simulation, and evidence‑based technical decision‑making to support robust design and delivery choices.
• Technical Leadership & Governance – Provides authoritative technical leadership, owning technical assurance, configuration management, risk management, and compliance, while guiding teams through governance processes.
• Data & Information Architecture – Strong understanding of data and information architectures and their influence on overall system performance, resilience, and delivery.
• Stakeholder Influence – Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the credibility and confidence to challenge, influence, and advise senior technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Technology Advocacy & Learning – A proactive technical advocate and continuous learner, staying current with emerging technologies and innovation, and encouraging the same mindset within the team.
• Mentorship & Technical Excellence – A recognised technical authority who mentors and develops engineers, setting high standards for technical quality, professionalism, and best practice.

£75,800.00‑£99,800.00

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.