Lead Electrical Systems Engineer Jobs

Principal Electrical Engineer

Leidos Defense is seeking a highly skilled, visionary Principal Electrical Engineer to join our multi-disciplinary engineering organization. In this role, you will drive the architectural design, hardware-software integration, and deployment of next-generation tactical systems, advanced avionics, and flight instrumentation for critical Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives. As a Principal contributor, you will act as a primary subject matter expert, translating complex customer concepts into flight-ready hardware solutions.

You will provide strategic technical direction across multi-functional Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), manage high-level engineering complexities, design robust embedded architectures, and guide engineering teams through entire hardware life cycles.

Responsibilities include:

• Architect, lead, and deliver state-of-the-art avionics, electrical weapon interfaces, and custom/COTS Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) for missile systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and fieldable launch platforms.
• Support complex system co-designs utilizing high-performance Xilinx/AMD Zynq SoCs, Altera FPGAs, soft-core processors (Micro Blaze), and complex network architectures (bare-metal, RTOS-based, UDP/IP stacks, and Weapon Open System Architecture/WOSA messaging frameworks).
• Oversee complex Multi-Layer Power Distribution Network (PDN) definitions, multi-rail low-noise regulation circuits, rigid-flex PCBA layouts, and high-speed digital interfaces (PCIe, multi-Gbps transceivers, ADCs/DACs, and RF modems).
• Direct multi-disciplinary Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) for electronics, cabling, grounding, and bonding. Act as the primary internal technical authority, hosting weekly technical interchange meetings with external subcontractors to maintain design consistency.
• Partner with systems engineering teams to translate military standards into rigorous hardware requirements. Support Control Account Managers (CAMs) by providing precise technical write-ups, work breakdowns, and schedule estimates for Earned Value Management (EVM), Cap Ex initiatives, and major competitive proposals.
• Act as a certified test conductor or lead verification engineer to establish comprehensive system-level test plans, environmental stress screening, HWIL integration, and launch-readiness countdown actions.

Required qualifications include:

• Active Top-Secret Clearance
• Master's degree in electrical engineering, or related STEM discipline with 10+ years of hardware architecture experience; OR a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, or similar with 12+ years of relevant engineering experience.
• Proven background as a hardware architect or technical lead creating flight-worthy electronics, avionics assemblies, and custom PCBAs.
• Extensive experience with SoC/FPGA systems, RTOS environments, and high-frequency digital/analog hardware interfaces.
• Comprehensive working knowledge and implementation history with defense standards, including MIL-STD-461 (EMI/EMC), MIL-STD-704 (Aircraft Power), MIL-STD-1472 (Human Factors), IPC-D-620 Class 3 (Cabling/Harnessing), and IPC-D-630.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams, acting as an IPT Lead, product owner, or scrum master within an agile framework.
• U.S. Citizenship is strictly required. Candidate must possess an active Top Secret security clearance.
• Ability to travel 10–20%

Preferred qualifications include:

• Prior experience designing electronics specialized for extreme environments (e.g., high-shock rocket deployments >10kG, thermal battery integrations, and un-potted chassis designs).
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies, SysML concepts, or requirements tools such as Cameo/Magic Draw and IBM DOORS.
• Hands-on experience implementing open system architectures such as Weapon Open System Architecture (WOSA) or Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) messaging standards.
• Experience with advanced RF simulation tools, anechoic chamber testing, and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) for space-constrained power subsystems (such as Cube Sats).