Systems Engineering Section Manager

Leidos Holding$107K — $195K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering discipline with 8+ years of experience or an MS with 6+ years.
  • Experience with complex engineering practices and the product development cycle.
  • Proficient in deriving and managing requirements for complex systems.
  • Experience in creating verification and test plans and coordinating system integration to support requirements verification.
  • Strong team communication skills, including leading Technical Design Reviews.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Candidate must be local to North Alabama or willing to relocate.

Responsibilities

  • Provide leadership to 4-8 direct reports in a matrixed organization.
  • Mentor team members and exemplify company values and work ethic.
  • Keep management updated on critical issues and team status.
  • Participate in proposal and business development opportunities.
  • Develop and maintain standardized tools and processes for the team.
  • Conduct performance evaluations and coaching for direct reports.
  • Handle staffing, onboarding, and resource management for the section.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness programs.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company matching.
  • Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
  • Professional development and continuing education support.
  • Opportunities for career advancement within a large company.
Full Job Description
The Systems Engineering and Integration Branch at Leidos currently has an opening for a Systems Engineering Section Manager to support our Huntsville, Alabama office. This Section Manager will join a team of 3 managers in the SE Branch, where they will be involved in the daily management decisions for the branch. The Section Manager will be expected to maintain their current technical commitments while taking on Section Management. The Section Manager will be part of a diverse team focused on providing systems engineering support for a wide variety of applications in the Space Platforms Portfolio and across the Kinetic Effects Business Area. Candidate will be required to support multiple tasks in parallel, contribute to and lead team environments, and communicate effectively to management, employees, coworkers, and customers. The individual must also be self-motivated and highly organized with a focus on managing customer expectations with a constant goal of generating high quality products that exceed customer expectations.

Primary Responsibilities

As a Systems Engineering Section Manager, the candidate is expected to provide leadership to four to eight direct reports in the branch, which is a matrixed organization. These direct reports may be working different programs from commercial space to defense, have varying experience levels, and have different specialties (e.g. verification, requirements development). The Section Manager is expected to mentor direct reports; lead by example in Leidos Values, ethics, attitude, work quality, and discipline; keep management informed of critical issues; participate in proposal and business development opportunities, as required; and develop/maintain standardized tools and processes.

The successful candidate will be able to perform management activities to include:
  • Track the long-term staffing of their direct reports.
  • Help their direct reports manage their careers long-term by finding them opportunities that are aligned with their desires and skillsets.
  • Check in with direct reports on a regular basis and report status up to Branch Manager.
  • Track and approve requests for equipment and software for direct reports.
  • Interview new candidates and provide input into SE&I Branch hiring decisions.
  • Onboard new employees, including putting requests in for new equipment, identifying office space, meeting new employees on their first day.
  • Conduct performance appraisals.
  • Hold performance discussions and provide coaching to direct reports.


Basic Qualifications
  • A Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent degree from an ABET-accredited university with 8+ years of experience or an MS with 6+ years.
  • Candidates must have knowledge of and experience with complex engineering practices and processes, including the product development cycle through qualification and production.
  • Experience in deriving and managing requirements for complex electrical, electro-mechanical, mechanical, and software systems.
  • Experience creating verification and test plans and coordinating system integration and test activities to support verification of system level requirements.
  • Demonstrated experience effectively communicating within a team environment, including leading and conducting Technical Design Reviews.
  • Position requires candidates to be capable of performing in a collaborative engineering environment working closely with multidisciplinary teams.
  • Candidate must be a resident of the North Alabama area or be willing to relocate.


Preferred Qualifications

Preference shown to candidates who possess a Master of Science in System Engineering from an ABET-accredited university.

Preferred candidates will also have experience and/or working knowledge with:
  • Model Based Systems Engineering tools, such as DOORS, JAMA, or Cameo/MagicDraw.
  • Demonstrated experience effectively leading a team of engineers.
  • Demonstrated experience accurately estimating the engineering effort (i.e. hours) associated with Systems Engineering tasks.
  • Understanding of the DoD and/or NASA acquisition processes and methods.
  • Experience supporting one or more DoD and/or NASA programs.
  • Experience with government and/or commercial aerospace hardware development projects.
  • Experience working as part of multi-company and multi-organizational development teams.
  • Object Management Group (OMG) Certified System Modeler Professional (OCSMP) certification.
  • INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional (SEP) certification (ASEP or CSEP).


Original Posting:
August 20, 2026

Pay Range:
Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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