Senior Systems Engineer

Company: Leidos
Location: Gaithersburg
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Leidos is seeking a Systems Engineer who will be a member of a dynamic team working on the development of an air traffic control and management system that improves aircraft runway and terminal congestion. Nationwide congestion is increasing, and the need for efficient aircraft traffic planning is critical. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) is the surface management solution that will provide NextGen Air Traffic Control capabilities to improve air traffic operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). The Terminal Flight Data Management (TFDM) program is a Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) NextGen program based on airport surface management provides that efficiencies for both the airport surface and terminal airspace by providing a new and comprehensive integrated surface traffic control and management system. TFDM functions include: Surface Collaborative Decision making (SCDM), departure scheduler and other airport decision tools Electronic Flight Data (EFD); Enhanced Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Traffic Flow Management System (TFMS) Replacement or integration of multiple systems in the National Airspace System (NAS). TFDM will share data among: controllers, aircraft operators, and airports so they can better stage arrivals and departures and manage traffic flow within terminal airspace for greater efficiency. Stakeholders will have a shared awareness of flights on the ground and in the air, the ability to exchange data electronically, with the goal of a continuous real-time picture of traffic volume and airport resources, making flights more efficient from gate to gate. Responsibilities: Working both as a member of a team and independently the successful candidate will be: Modernizing the air traffic control tower equipment by improving the exchange of electronic flight data and implementing electronic flight strips. Streamlining the schedule sequence of departures to improve efficiency on the surface. Optimizing the experience for the flying public, Air Traffic Control, and the airline industry by improving the collaboration and decision-making capabilities between the gate and the tower. Developing A-Level System/Subsystem Specification (SSS) requirements, B-Level Software Requirements Specification (SRS), Systems Engineering Modeling and Design, and Computer Human Interface design and mock-up development for the TFDM system Interfacing with the FAA customer to address/answer questions relating to the developed requirements, use cases describing human interactions and design decisions Performing Systems Engineering as needed for the TFDM system Providing support needed for software development, integration and test, and other functional areas Articulating user needs and requirements from high level user stories Developing the design for the user interface framework including client and server side components; analyzing and designing databases within an application Working in an Agile Scrum environment Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Qualifications: Typically requires BS degree and 8-12 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 6-10 years of prior relevant experience. May possess a Doctorate in technical domain. Systems Engineering experience, including proven experience working in complex projects gathering user requirements and converting them into system requirements Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience: working directly with customers to discuss their requirements and objectives interfacing with other functional areas (e.g. Software, Hardware) Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others in a team environment Strong analytical and problem solving skills Desired Skills: Experience with IBM Doors and IBM Rhapsody Familiarity with SysML and System Engineering modeling and design approach Familiarity with the Atlassian Tool Suite and JIRA Experience supporting Requirements Reviews with customer Familiarity with the National Air Space and FAA NextGen Air Traffic control programs 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: March 17, 2026 For 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 $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.

Keywords: Leidos, Bethesda , Senior Systems Engineer, Engineering , Gaithersburg, Maryland