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IDCS Chief Engineer

Leidos

Posted today

Job Requirements

San Antonio, TX
Top Secret Polygraph Unspecified
Career Level not specified
$154,050 - $278,475

Job Description

R-00186827

Description

Leidos's  Air   and Space   Force Division   has an opening for   a   Chief Engineer   support ing   the Air Force (AF) .    The   selected candidate   will   serve as the Chief Engineer   for the AF's Integrated Defensive   Cyberspace System   (IDCS) Program   and r eport   directly   to the   Defensive Cyber Portfolio   Director .  

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​ The IDCS program supports AFLCMC/HNCD who serves as the program office for several defensive cyberspace weapon systems and capabilities, including Air Force (AF) Cyberspace Defense (ACD), Cyberspace Defense Analysis (CDA), Big   Data Platform (BDP), and Cyber Vulnerability Assessment/Hunter (CVA/H). In 2020, the AF expressed a vision for an integrated common system for cyberspace defense.   The program office   designed a new architecture that effectively replaces the existing Hardware (HW) solutions for the ACD, CDA, and CVA/H weapon system s   and   establishes   an   Integrated Defensive Cyber System (IDCS) ecosystem, standardized on a Common Sensor Platform. Leidos provid es   sustainment, development, and   orchestration solutions for   the current and next generation weapon systems .    

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​ The Chief Engineer   will   be responsible for   the technical planning, system hardware-software-network design, development and integration, verification and validation, and fielding   of solutions and capabilities   for   the IDCS   program .    They   will ensure the overall integrity, quality, and completeness of technical work performed and associated deliverables are of the highest standards.   They   will   also   have the opportunity to   apply   their   extensive   expertise   in engineering to deliver   the   AF’s   next generation defensive cyber weapon system .  

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Primary Responsibilities:  

  • ​ Provide engineering   expertise   and oversight for the program throughout the   capability delivery   lifecycle ,   from requirements development through fielding and transition to operations .  


  • ​ Work closely with the   IDCS   program manager to develop technical and programmatic schedules, evaluate design alternatives including cost and risk, provide input on subcontractor   selection   and provide sound recommendations to resolve technical challenges and issues  


  • ​ Perform systems requirements analysis, functional analysis, timeline analysis, trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition, technical management, integration, system testing, and quality assurance  


  • ​ Oversee   system planning and designs   ensuring compatibility with the Government Reference Architecture  


  • ​ Provide guidance and direction to the team on all product development and deliverables  


  • ​ Effectively communicate with the Government   regarding   engineering technical considerations and negotiate to convince stakeholders at all levels to accept our concepts,   solutions   and approaches  


  • ​ Resolve technical problems, issues, and conflicts within the   IDCS   program .  


  • ​ Collaborate with other experts in the field to   identify   innovative solutions  


  • ​ Assist the   IDCS   program manager with development of SOWs, RFPs, perform tech evals, recommend selection and provide technical oversight and approval of subcontractor and vendor deliverables.  


  • ​ Communication with customer 's   Chief   Engineer , Chief Architect ,   and technical leads on a weekly / recurring schedule .    


  • ​ Mentor mid-level and junior staff  
     


Basic Qualifications:  

  • ​A bility to obtain a Top Secret security clearance within 365 days after   start   date.  


  • ​ Minimum   Bachelor's Degree   from accredited college or university in an Engineering or technically related discipline.  


  • ​ 12+ years of total engineering experience, with 5+ years in a technical leadership role (Chier Engineer, Technical Director, or Lead Architect ) .  


  • ​ Minimum   seven   ( 7 ) years   of hands-on experience in at least two   (2)   cyber disciplines (e.g., network defense, vulnerability assessment, forensics, or cyber weapons platforms) .  


  • ​ Solid   understanding of SDLC models, Agile and traditional project management practices, and   DevSecOps .    


  • ​ S ystems engineering experience   including   design, deployment and configuration of   software   solutions, defensive cyber systems, and/or DoD weapons systems .  


  • ​ Experience in writing subsystem specifications and managing task s   to cross-discipline technical contributors.  


  • ​ Experience with all technical aspects of   cyber systems delivery – software, hardware, infrastructure , and security .  


  • ​ Excellent   written and verbal communications with senior   G overnment   officials, including   high-rankin g military members and   senior   civilian   executives   regarding   technical   risk s ,   AoAs /Trade-Offs, and milestone delivery status.  


  • ​ Must have proven   expertise   leading, architecting ,   and executing large-scale development programs.  


  • ​ Compliance with   DoD 8140 certification   (e.g., CISSP -ISSAP) .    


 

Preferred Qualifications:    

  • ​ Master's Degree in related field.   


  • ​ P rior relevant   experience   with Defe nsive   Cyber Weapon Systems.  


  • ​ Experience managing projects using software development life cycle models (SDLC) such as CMMI, modern SELC models such as   SAFe , Agile, and/   SecDevOps .   


  • ​ Experience with a pplied AI/ML for threat hunting, response automation, or user/entity behavioral analytics  


  • ​ Experience with   AF defensive cyber   systems, e.g.,   SIEM ,   SOAR, ELICSAR, ICAM, etc.  


  • ​ K nowledge and experience with USAF   or DoD   plans, policies, standards, and methods aimed at the acquisition and support of software and computer resources.  


  • ​ Demonstrated ability to lead and direct high - tempo ,   multi-team effort s   while managing   cost/schedule/risk for programs .    


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If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — 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 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting: July 8, 2026

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 $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

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 an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. 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 at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits .

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 LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com .

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 Non-Discrimination

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.
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About Us
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 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $13.7 billion for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.
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Clearance Level
Top Secret
Employer
Leidos