Principal Program Scheduler - Indirect Fires & Force Protection

Leidos Holding$105K — $190K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree with 10-12 years of Aerospace & Defense scheduling leadership or equivalent experience.
  • Recognized expertise in programmatic scheduling and Earned Value Management (EVM) principles.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Project and scheduling analytics.
  • U.S. citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
  • Extensive experience in manufacturing, production, or prototyping environments with a deep understanding of shop floor integration.
  • Strong command of advanced scheduling practices, including 14-Point analysis and schedule health assessments.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a scheduling leader and advisor for major defense manufacturing contracts.
  • Partner with program leadership to influence decision-making and optimize program performance.
  • Build and maintain complex Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) compliant with EIA-748 standards.
  • Communicate schedule analysis, execution metrics, and program understanding clearly.
  • Drive integration of technical, cost, and resource baselines for accurate forecasts and insights.
  • Present schedule insights and risks to senior program stakeholders.
  • Ensure scheduling rigor, governance, and compliance across multiple contracts.

Benefits

  • Collaborative work environment in a team-leading Corporate EVM Center of Excellence.
  • Opportunity to work on high-priority U.S. Government defense programs.
  • Professional development through advanced scheduling practices and leadership.
  • Engagement with senior leadership and critical decision-making processes.
  • Dynamic and fast-paced work environment focusing on national defense.
Full Job Description
Leidos is seeking an accomplished Principal Program Scheduler to provide strategic scheduling leadership on high-priority U.S. Government manufacturing and production programs. This role will directly influence program execution, delivery, and business outcomes across a portfolio of complex defense programs.

In this dynamic role, you will serve as a principal scheduling authority for mission-critical programs, trusted by senior leadership to anticipate risks, drive solutions, and ensure alignment between technical execution, resources, and program objectives. This highly visible role is ideal for a senior scheduling professional who thrives in fast-paced, high-impact environments and seeks to apply their expertise to programs that directly support national defense.

The Principal Program Scheduler will be an integral part of the larger enterprise-wide Leidos Corporate Earned Value Management (EVM) Center of Excellence (COE). The Leidos Corporate EVM COE is a team-leading and executing the core responsibilities of scheduling, planning, EVMS, the associated infrastructure and tools, implementations, training, and surveillance for Leidos.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Serve as a scheduling leader and advisor for major defense manufacturing contracts, shaping program strategies through advanced scheduling practices.
  • Partner with program leadership, CAMs, and manufacturing leads to influence decision-making and optimizing program performance.
  • Build and maintain complex Integrated Master Schedules (IMS) compliant with EIA-748 standards and industry best practices (PASEG, NDIA).
  • Provide the "why" - demonstrating the ability to clearly communicate schedule analysis, execution metrics, and overall program understanding through a cost informed scheduling perspective.
  • Drive the integration of technical, cost, and resource baselines to establish accurate forecasts, estimates-to-complete (ETC), and actionable insights for leadership.
  • Present schedule insights, risks, and "what-if" scenarios to senior program and customer stakeholders, often shaping contract execution strategies.
  • Ensure program scheduling rigor, governance, and compliance across multiple high-visibility contracts.
  • Develop scheduling artifacts to meet contractual/project requirements.
  • Must be able to collaboratively work onsite at our Huntsville location multiple days per week.


Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree with 10 - 12 years of progressive Aerospace & Defense scheduling leadership (or equivalent experience in lieu of degree).
  • Recognized expertise in programmatic scheduling and Earned Value Management (EVM) principles, with proven success leading schedule management on large, complex programs.
  • Advanced mastery of Microsoft Project and scheduling analytics.
  • U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
  • Extensive experience in manufacturing, production, or prototyping environments with a deep understanding of shop floor integration into enterprise schedules.
  • Strong command of advanced scheduling practices, including:
    • 14-Point Analysis and schedule health assessments
    • Critical Path Method (CPM) and float management
    • Schedule execution metrics (BEI, CEI, CPLI, SV, SPI, etc.)
    • Resource loading, management, and alignment with cost baselines
    • Schedule risk modeling and Monte Carlo simulations
    • Baseline change control governance


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Structured Solutions Inc. (SSI) tools for Microsoft Project
  • PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) certification
  • Milestones Professional experience
  • Proficiency in MS Project macros and custom reporting
  • Active DoD Secret clearance.


Original Posting:
August 10, 2026

Pay Range:
Pay Range $105,300.00 - $190,350.00

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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