Lead Systems Engineer

Leidos Holding$87K — $157K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, IT, computer science, or related field with 4 years of experience; or Master's with 2 years.
  • Strong experience in creating detailed infrastructure documentation.
  • Hands-on knowledge of data center or lab infrastructure components.
  • Experience in commissioning and validating infrastructure installations.
  • Familiar with networking fundamentals for infrastructure decisions.
  • Skilled in Visio, CAD, or similar tools for technical documentation.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Develop low-level designs from architectural concepts, including drawings and cable schedules.
  • Produce installation packages for technicians to follow independently.
  • Commission installations and resolve punch-lists to confirm design match.
  • Maintain accurate as-built documentation and configuration baselines.
  • Direct hardware technicians on-site, assigning tasks and addressing design discrepancies.
  • Serve as escalation point for troubleshooting physical/integration issues.
  • Lead design reviews, presenting and defending implementation decisions.

Benefits

  • Robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
  • Comprehensive training and development opportunities.
  • Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
  • Tuition reimbursement for ongoing education and skill development.
Full Job Description
Leidos is seeking an Infrastructure Implementation Engineer to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the design, implementation, and lifecycle management of lab and data center infrastructure. This work is at the forefront of FAA modernization programs that depend on well-engineered software development and test environments to build and validate next-generation air traffic and flight service systems before operational deployment.

You own the low-level design layer: rack elevations, wiring lists, port assignments, cable schedules, power budgets, methods of procedure, and as-built documentation. You own the full documentation lifecycle for your labs. You run design reviews, commission installations, maintain configuration baselines, and provide technical direction to hardware technicians.

This is a hands-on engineering role. You work closely with the Architect as a technical authority on the lab floor, the technicians ask when reality doesn't match the drawing, and the person responsible for keeping the physical infrastructure documentation accurate, current, and traceable.

Primary Responsibilities:
  • Develop low-level infrastructure designs from approved architectural concepts, including rack elevation drawings, wiring lists, port/patch-panel assignments, cable schedules, and bills of material.
  • Produce installation work packages (methods of procedure, sequencing, prerequisites, acceptance criteria) that enable technicians to execute independently and that satisfy corporate and customer deliverable and auditable requirements.
  • Commission new installations and own punch-list resolution. You confirm implemented state matches design intent, coordinate with system administrators on readiness verification, and drive discrepancies to closure.
  • Maintain authoritative as-built documentation and configuration baselines. This means processing redlines, reconciling drawings against physical state, keeping version control current, and ensuring you can always trace from design to implementation to change history.
  • Provide technical work direction to hardware technicians when onsite. You assign tasks from active work packages, keep awareness of progress, resolve field questions against design intent, and redirect effort when priorities shift.
  • Serve as the engineering escalation point for physical/integration troubleshooting: Layer 1 failures, patching discrepancies, optic faults, power-feed issues, and documentation mismatches.
  • Lead design reviews for your environments. You prepare and present the review package, defend your implementation decisions, and drive findings to resolution before construction proceeds.
  • Interface with procurement and engineering departments on hardware delivery and RMA.
  • Develop and improve engineering standards, templates, labeling schemes, and repeatable deployment processes.
  • Support compliance implementation by ensuring physical installations conform to applicable security standards, network segmentation requirements, cable-path separation, and labeling standards.

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, information technology, computer science, or a related field and at least 4 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree with at least 2 years of experience.
  • Demonstrated experience producing detailed infrastructure documentation.
  • Practical understanding of data center or lab infrastructure: structured cabling, power distribution, rack systems, and network hardware.
  • Experience with commissioning, validating, or accepting infrastructure installations.
  • Familiarity with networking fundamentals sufficient to make port-assignment and connectivity decisions (switching, VLANs, patching, fiber/copper media selection).
  • Proficiency with Visio, CAD, or equivalent diagramming tools for rack layouts, floor plans, and wiring diagrams.
  • Comfortable working across multiple concurrent projects with shifting priorities and compressed timelines.
  • Willingness to learn complex, non-standard environments that take time to understand.
  • Clear and effective verbal and written communication. Able to translate complex architectural intent into unambiguous, executable work products.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation.
  • US Citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with AI-assisted engineering workflows and tool-building (e.g., Claude Code, Copilot, custom automation leveraging large language models for documentation generation, validation, or data extraction).
  • Net+, CCNA, or equivalent network implementation experience.
  • Experience with infrastructure source-of-truth platforms (NetBox or similar).
  • Experience with scripting or automation applied to infrastructure documentation, validation, or data extraction.
  • Familiarity with configuration management and change-control processes in regulated or quality-managed environments (ISO 9001 or equivalent).
  • Experience in technical leadership capacity.
  • Familiarity with data center infrastructure design standards (TIA-942 or similar).
  • Prior experience in FAA, civil aviation, or government lab environments.

Original Posting:
August 24, 2026

Pay Range:
Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

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 Holding

Leidos Holding Careers

Joining Leidos Holding presents an unparalleled opportunity to advance one's career with a leader in innovation and technology. The company offers a plethora of job opportunities aimed at fostering professional growth and development in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Explore Career Opportunities

Leidos Holding is actively seeking skilled professionals who are passionate about leveraging their expertise to drive innovation and leadership in their fields. With a variety of open positions, Leidos Holding provides a platform for individuals to challenge themselves in a dynamic work environment.

Innovation and Professional Growth

At Leidos Holding, innovation is at the core of everything they do. Employees are encouraged to think creatively and push boundaries. The company supports this drive for innovation through comprehensive professional development and diversity training programs that are designed to enhance skills and foster leadership.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Leidos Holding is committed to creating a workplace where diversity is not only recognized but celebrated. With a culture that values and promotes diversity, Leidos Holding ensures that all team members have the opportunity to contribute, learn, and grow.

Internship Programs

For those starting their career, Leidos Holding offers internship programs that provide a robust foundation in the industry. Internships are a great way to develop essential skills, gain valuable work experience, and build professional networks.

Benefits and Culture

Employees at Leidos Holding enjoy a range of benefits designed to support their professional and personal lives. The company culture is built on a foundation of respect and integrity, providing a supportive and collaborative environment where every team member is valued.

Join the Team

Leidos Holding is hiring! Explore job opportunities that match your skills and interests. Leidos Holding looks for driven, curious, and innovative individuals to join their team. Positions are available across various disciplines and experience levels.

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Prepare for Your Interview

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Networking and Career Advancement

Leidos Holding encourages its employees to engage in networking within the company to discover new opportunities for career advancement. The leadership team at Leidos Holding is dedicated to supporting employees in their career paths with ample opportunities for networking and growth.

Explore Leidos Holding Jobs and Careers

Discover the exciting career opportunities at Leidos Holding today. With a commitment to employee growth, innovation, and diversity, Leidos Holding is the perfect place to advance your career. Check out the latest job listings and find your perfect fit at Leidos Holding.

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