Chief Scientist

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Leidos’ Defense Systems Open Air Sensors Division is seeking an innovative and forward-thinking Chief Scientist to lead the advancement of next generation sensing technologies for multiple DoD customers. The Chief Scientist will serve as the technical visionary responsible for driving research, technology maturation, and innovation strategies that extend the program’s capabilities beyond current operational baselines. This role works in close partnership with the principal investigators to assess technical readiness and determine when emerging technologies are ready to transition into production systems.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

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. To explore and learn more, click here!

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Primary Responsibilities

• Define and lead the Division’s long-term technology roadmap, ensuring alignment with mission needs and future warfighter requirements.

• Drive innovation in advanced sensing technologies, including radar, EO/IR, RF, and multi-spectral systems, to expand system capability and performance.

• Partner with program Chief Engineers and Principal Investigators to evaluate technology readiness, integration pathways, and timing for introducing new capabilities into production systems.

• Oversee internal and external R&D activities, including advanced prototypes, modeling, simulation, and proof-of-concept demonstrations.

• Collaborate with research labs, academia, and industry partners to identify and leverage emerging technologies relevant to program goals.

• Lead technical assessments, trade studies, and performance analyses supporting next-generation system designs.

• Provide technical leadership in key areas such as signal processing, sensor fusion, AI/ML-enabled detection and tracking, and system-level performance modeling.

• Mentor technical staff, fostering a culture of scientific curiosity, technical excellence, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

• Communicate complex technical concepts and technology strategies to senior leadership, program management, and government stakeholders.

• Architect proposal solutions and work closely with proposal teams to ensure the proposed effort will meet the customer’s request for cost, schedule, and technical requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or related discipline plus 15-20 years of experience in applied research or advanced development of sensing, radar, or ISR systems.

• OR Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, or related discipline plus 13-16 years of experience in applied research or advanced development of sensing, radar, or ISR systems.

• Proven track record in leading technology maturation from concept through demonstration and transition to production.

• Deep understanding of electromagnetic sensing principles, signal processing, and system performance modeling.

• Demonstrated experience developing and executing R&D strategies aligned to DoD priorities or mission objectives.

• Ability to bridge the gap between research and production — effectively communicating with both scientific and engineering communities.

• Excellent communication, leadership, and collaboration skills across multi-functional teams.

• Must possess and be able to maintain an active Top Secret clearance.

• Candidate must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville – North Alabama, AL, area

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience integrating AI/ML, cognitive sensing, or adaptive processing techniques into radar or EO/IR architectures.

• Background in multi-sensor fusion, electronic warfare resilience, and advanced waveform development.

• Familiarity with digital engineering and model-based systems approaches for technology insertion.

• Experience leading IRAD/CRAD portfolios or serving as principal investigator on advanced research 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:

February 3, 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 $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.