Description
The Contested Autonomy and Navigation Branch at Leidos develops cutting-edge autonomy and navigation technologies for GPS-denied and contested environments. Based in Huntsville, AL, this role combines technical leadership and program management for the development and deployment of autonomous systems for customers including DARPA, ONR, AFRL, and others.
You'll serve as both technical lead and program manager for small, fast-moving engineering teams developing autonomy capabilities across multiple robotic platform types, including UAVs, ground vehicles, and maritime systems. This role requires expertise in guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) and autonomy, combined with the leadership skills to guide teams, serve as primary customer interface, and manage program execution.
This senior role takes ownership of entire programs from proposal through field demonstration, providing direction while maintaining hands-on involvement in critical technical challenges. Teams regularly participate in field experiments and flight tests, directly supporting customer demonstrations of new autonomy capabilities; test campaigns typically last 1-2 weeks and occur 3-6 times per year.
Please note: This role is located in Huntsville, AL. There may be opportunity to telework up to 1 day/week.
Primary Responsibilities
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Serve as technical lead and program manager for multiple autonomy and navigation programs, managing teams of 3-8 engineers
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Act as primary customer interface for technical discussions, program reviews, and field demonstrations with government stakeholders
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Lead the design and implementation of full-stack autonomous systems from hardware integration through algorithm development to field deployment
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Lead and participate in field test campaigns, including UAV flight tests, on a variety of platforms
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Manage program schedules, budgets, deliverables, and risk mitigation for multiple concurrent efforts
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Support business development activities including proposal writing, white papers, customer presentations, and solution design
Basic Qualifications
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Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or related field with 8+ years of experience, or Master's degree with 6+ years of experience
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At least 2 years of experience in program management or technical leadership for robotics and autonomous systems programs
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Demonstrated applied experience in guidance, navigation, and control
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Strong presentation skills, including experience briefing technical content
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Proficiency in C++, Python, or MATLAB for algorithm development and system integration
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Experience with Linux operating environments and version control systems (Git)
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Must be a U.S. Citizen
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Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance
Preferred Qualifications
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Experience with open-source autopilot systems, such as PX4 and ArduPilot
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Experience with navigation techniques, such as state estimation, sensor fusion, visual-inertial odometry (VIO), or SLAM
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Experience with modern autonomy or motion planning frameworks
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Experience with computer vision, including object detection, obstacle avoidance, and tracking
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Experience with ROS2 and Docker
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Experience with sensor integration (IMUs, GPS, cameras, LiDAR, radar, etc.)
NKE
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.
May 28, 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 $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.
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 [email protected].
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.
