System Engineer / Project Manager

Are you a mission-driven systems engineer ready to shape the future of national security IT? Join Leidos and play a key technical role in supporting the National Media Exploitation Center (NMEC), where innovation meets real-world impact. We’re looking for a Systems Engineer Project Manager to deliver and evolve enterprise IT services that directly support the intelligence mission. The Systems Engineer Project Manager may supervise, guide, coordinate, and provide leadership across all engineering activities.

This role focuses on overseeing and enhancing IT Operations & Maintenance (O&M) in a secure, dynamic environment that supports multiple enclaves, a wide variety of technologies, and evolving mission needs. You'll work hands-on with secure infrastructure, networked systems, and specialized computing environments—ensuring critical IT systems remain modern, secure, and aligned to mission priorities.

Why This Role Matters

You’ll be the technical point of integration across multiple disciplines—network engineering, secure infrastructure, Microsoft and Linux systems, advanced compute, and enterprise storage. You’ll guide the technical execution of system enhancements, coordinate with cybersecurity teams, and work closely with mission stakeholders to ensure IT services remain responsive, agile, and secure.

This is a 100% on-site position. All work must be performed at the customer site in Bethesda at the Intelligence Community Campus.

• Partner with the Lead Systems Engineer and broader engineering team to plan, execute, and deliver secure IT system solutions aligned with NMEC’s mission objectives.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary project teams across systems engineering, networking, cybersecurity, and operations to drive end-to-end technical project execution.
• Manage the sustainment and modernization of O&M activities across multiple enclaves, ensuring performance optimization, security compliance, and mission continuity.
• Oversee enhancement projects within Microsoft environments—Active Directory, Exchange, and Windows Server—through collaboration with engineering leads.
• Support the engineering team in configuring and optimizing Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems, ensuring secure and resilient deployments in classified environments.
• Guide the integration of GPU-based high-performance computing environments used for advanced media analysis in partnership with the systems engineering group.
• Lead secure networking projects involving Cisco technologies by working closely with network engineers and enclave design leads.
• Collaborate with engineering stakeholders to implement and refine RMF-based Information Assurance processes that sustain ATO and bolster cyber resilience.
• Coordinate with storage engineers to implement scalable enterprise storage strategies supporting large-volume data processing and long-term archiving.
• Maintain and update architectural diagrams, configuration baselines, and release schedules in coordination with engineering and documentation teams.
• Serve as a technical interface to government stakeholders, ensuring engineering deliverables meet project scope, timelines, and mission-critical needs.

• Manage project goals/assignments, oversee major upgrades, minor modifications, and restoration efforts following service degradation and outages.

• Manage work assignments for team, review and assign customer incidents, requirements, and tasks within ServiceNow ITSM ticketing platform.

• Manage work performance for subordinates, provide periodic feedback, and document performance against employee's goals and corporate guidelines.

• Review and approve timesheets for assigned subordinates in compliance with corporate standards.

• Flexibility in work schedule. This person will be expected to have a standard 8 hour workday. However if an outage occurs they may be one of the first called to help troubleshoot.

You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

• 12+ years of hands-on experience in IT systems engineering or operations, particularly in classified or government environments.

• 3+ years of experience leading technical efforts across multi-domain IT systems.

• Strong understanding of ITSM/ITIL processes and experience using tools such as ServiceNow.

• Ability to design, implement, and document system changes in secure, high-impact environments.

• IAT Level II certification (e.g., Security+ CE, SSCP) and relevant computing environment certs.

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to present technical concepts clearly to both engineers and stakeholders.

• Strong Project management skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate and work effectively with other contractors and Government civilians. Able to brief Government leadership.

• Ability to work independently and as a team member under tight deadlines with changing priorities.

• Ability to mentor and lead a technical team to include functional management of direct reports.

• Expertise across a broad range of technologies:

  • Broad technical experience across:

  • Microsoft platforms (e.g., AD, Exchange, Server OS)

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux

  • Cisco networking (hardware/software)

  • Enterprise storage solutions

  • GPU-based compute systems

  • Information Assurance/security compliance

Clearance

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph required OR active TS/SCI and willingness to obtain and maintain a Poly.

• US Citizenship is required due to the nature of the government contracts we support.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, IT, or a related field.

• PMP, ITIL v3/v4, or equivalent certification.

• Cisco, Red Hat, or Microsoft technical certifications.

• Familiarity with NMEC mission and IT environment.

• Experience implementing managed services in a multi-contractor ecosystem.

• Experience in Agile environments or similar iterative development lifecycles.

What You’ll Gain

At Leidos, your work directly supports some of the most critical missions in the intelligence community. You'll be part of a high-performing, collaborative environment where your contributions shape national security operations. Whether optimizing secure networks, refining system baselines, or integrating next-generation technologies, you’ll find meaningful work, continuous technical challenges, and a clear path for advancement.

Original Posting:

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:

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.