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Leidos Defense Systems Sector provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions.

Leidos’ Defense Space Business Area is seeking a Space Hardware Test Lead to join a collaborative Systems Engineering Integration and Test team developing a variety of sensor payloads for space. This is an exciting opportunity to leverage your expertise in successfully deploying complex engineering projects, while contributing to our national defense mission.

The Space Hardware Test Lead will oversee and implement the testing, verification, and validation of complex systems. This leadership role will collaborate with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot, analyze, and resolve issues during system testing phases. The individual will contribute to defining and executing test procedures, as well as monitoring test progress to ensure timelines and quality standards are maintained. Additionally, the Space Hardware Test Lead will support the preparation of test documentation, including test plans, reports, and analysis of results. The role requires close coordination with the Systems Engineering and Development teams to ensure successful system testing and compliance with all customer requirements while maintaining schedule and budget.

We are looking for an engineer who thrives in fast-paced environments and have a passion for developing and delivering high-tech solutions. While being an experienced engineer who has worked on LEO, MEO, and GEO is important, and we value and welcome those with experience working for organizations like SDA, RCO, or DARPA, we are most excited about candidates who have demonstrated success in delivering complex, reliable space systems under tight timelines.

If you enjoy solving challenging technical problems in a dynamic and innovative environment working in a wide range of technical areas, this job in sunny San Diego is for you!

Please note, while this is an on-site role, occasional opportunities to telework may be available.

Why Join Us?

• Make an Impact: Your work will directly support U.S. Space Operations.

• Lead Innovation: Be at the forefront of applying innovative technology and new solutions to real-world space based sensor platforms.

• Work with Experts: Collaborate with a top-tier team of engineers, scientists, and technicians located across the U.S.

• Shape the Future: Influence both the strategic and tactical direction of next-generation space sensor technologies.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership for space payload systems test campaigns

• Planning and execution of system test activities ensuring the system meets both technical and operational requirements

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot, analyze, and resolve issues during system testing phases

• Contribute to defining and executing test procedures (white box and black box testing), as well as monitoring test progress to ensure timelines and quality standards are maintained

• Develop test documentation, including test plans, reports, and analysis of results

• Collaborate with the systems engineering and multi-disciplinary development teams to ensure successful system integration and compliance with all customer requirements

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering field (e.g., mechanical, electrical, systems, industrial), or related technical field with 12+ years of prior relevant experience or master’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience.

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.

• Must have an active Secret security clearance to be considered.

• 6+ years of experience with hardware and software integration/test of complex systems.

• Must be knowledgeable of system integration processes, test strategies, and tools.

• Knowledge of test methodologies, test planning, and test execution.

• 3+ years of experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and related tools such as SysML.

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

• Strong leadership and mentoring experience in technical team environments.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as integration and test lead for space payload systems

• Proficiency in system troubleshooting, debugging, and diagnostic techniques.

• Experience with agile development methodologies and their application in testing environments.

• Knowledge of industry standards and best practices related to systems integration and test.

• Understanding of risk management processes related to system integration and testing.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DoD TOP SECRET clearance.

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:

Pay Range:

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.