Chief Engineer
Lynnwood, WA, United States
- Engineering
- Full-time
- Chief Engineer
- Subsea Systems
- Underwater Vehicle Systems
The Chief Engineer/Solution Architect leads engineering efforts for advanced subsea maritime systems supporting national defense missions. This role involves strategic leadership, innovation in underwater vehicle systems, and guiding multidisciplinary teams from design through production. Candidates must have extensive experience in subsea systems, team leadership, and DoD program execution with security clearance eligibility.
Description
Job Description
Leidos is seeking a Chief Engineer/Solution Architect to lead cutting-edge engineering efforts within the Undersea Systems Division. This role is a unique opportunity to drive innovation in underwater vehicle systems, maritime sensors, subsea telemetry, and ISR solutions that support critical defense and national security missions.
You'll be a lead engineer supporting a multidisciplinary team developing and supporting customers with advanced maritime technologies, from prototype design to initial unit production.
Leidos’ Undersea Systems Division is a recognized leader in C4ISR technologies, delivering innovative, mission-critical solutions across sensor networks, unmanned systems, and tactical platforms. We’re known for achieving “industry firsts” in the most challenging maritime domains.
Join us and be part of a world-class team delivering unmatched solutions for today's most pressing maritime missions.
Why Join Us?
- Make an Impact: Your work will directly support U.S. maritime dominance and national security.
- Lead Innovation: Be at the forefront of applying innovative technology and autonomy to real-world maritime systems.
- 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 subsea technologies.
What You’ll Do
- Provide strategic and technical leadership for a maritime program.
- Drive technical innovation and product improvements aligned with customer needs and mission goals.
- Ensure a “design for manufacturing” focus during system development.
- Guide systems engineering efforts, including architecture, requirements derivation, and design integration.
- Guide perfection for
- Mentor a matrixed team of engineers through the full product lifecycle.
What You Bring
Required Experience:
- Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Engineering (Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Ocean), Computer Science, Physics, or Math
- 10+ years of experience with subsea maritime systems or other integrated electro-mechanical systems
- 5+ years of experience with leading integrated teams
- Experience with manufacturing processes and procedure development
- Exposure to DoD technical program execution
- U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain a TOP SECRET clearance
Preferred Experience:
- Over 10 years leading design, development, and integration of complex subsea maritime systems
- Experience with UUVs, deployed subsea systems, and underwater payloads
- Experience with underwater acoustics
- Proven track record in product manufacturing and transitioning designs to production
- Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 and quality-focused engineering processes
- Exposure to DoD program execution, including contract, financial, and subcontractor management.
SUBSEAMSS
Come break things (in a good way). Then build them smarter.
We're the tech company everyone calls when things get weird. We don’t wear capes (they’re a safety hazard), but we do solve high-stakes problems with code, caffeine, and a healthy disregard for “how it’s always been done.”
Original Posting:
December 30, 2025For 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 $131,300.00 - $237,350.00The 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.




