Principal Information Systems Security Engineer
About the job
- A Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited university, ideally in Computer Science, Information Assurance, or Information Security System Engineering, or a related field.
- At least 20 years of experience as an Information Systems Security Engineer or Systems Engineer on programs or contracts in the customer space.
- CISSP-ISSEP certification.
- Strong writing skills.
- Ability to present briefings to senior-level Department of Defense officials in prepared briefings and ad hoc discussions.
- Expertise in the Risk Management Framework and conducting cybersecurity risk assessments.
- Expertise in network technology and systems security engineering, including identifying, researching, characterizing, and documenting security weaknesses related to operating systems, software applications, firmware, network hardware components, and network architecture design, as well as identifying protection needs and documenting policies and procedures.
- Experience developing and documenting system security requirements and conducting requirements gap analysis.
- Experience with security monitoring and incident response capabilities.
- Experience with emerging technologies such as Zero Trust and cloud computing.
- Knowledge of and practical experience with the NIST Special Publications 800 Series, CNSSI 1253, and DoD 8500.
- Ability to work independently within a schedule and with little direction.
- Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.
- Join a small team of security engineers providing Information Assurance architecture analysis and security engineering support for implementation and fielding of the National Leadership Command Capability in support of Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications, Continuity of Government, and senior leader communications.
- Provide technical knowledge, expertise, and advice to the customer in a consultant-like role.
- Deliver and lead threat-informed cybersecurity products, including cybersecurity risk assessments, architecture reviews, and engineering guidance for mission partners.
- Conduct cybersecurity risk assessments and provide prioritized risk-mitigation recommendations in support of the customer’s mission.
- Support the design, implementation, and operation of real-time capabilities to discover, detect, analyze, and mitigate threats and vulnerabilities.
- Analyze candidate architectures against defined security requirements to identify security gaps and recommend mitigation strategies.
- Research and evaluate emerging technologies to determine their cybersecurity effectiveness.
- Aid stakeholders through the development, refinement, delivery, and implementation of innovative solutions and capabilities.
- Engage stakeholders to define security objectives, protection needs, security requirements, and associated validation methods.
- Validate and verify system security requirements definitions and analysis, and establish system security design.
- Design, develop, implement, and/or integrate Information Assurance and security systems and system components, including networking, computing, and enclave environments with multiple enclaves and differing data protection or classification requirements.
- Assist architects and systems developers in identifying and implementing appropriate information security functionality to ensure uniform application of Agency security policy and enterprise solutions.
- Contribute to security planning, assessment, risk analysis, risk management, certification, and awareness activities for system and networking operations.
- Review certification and accreditation documentation and provide feedback on its completeness and compliance.
About the company
Leidos develops technology and runs services for defense, intelligence and civilian agencies, as well as healthcare and commercial customers. It combines software and engineering work with systems integration, building secure networks and equipment used in demanding operations. Its portfolio includes medical services, energy infrastructure design and technology that supports military missions, linking specialist businesses under one parent. Customers pay through contracts for delivered systems and services, with payment tied to labor, costs or agreed project milestones. Leidos traces its roots to a company founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Reston, Virginia
Founded
1969
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Recognized sales are growing: Leidos reported fiscal Q2 revenue of $4.56 billion, up 7%, in August 2026.
- Technical study gets support: Leidos lists 4,092 certification prep courses and tuition assistance for full time employees.
- Future work includes funded contracts: Leidos reported $10.2 billion of funded backlog in August 2026.
What critics are saying
- Federal budgets dominate demand: Leidos' February 2026 filing attributed 87% of fiscal 2025 revenue to U.S. government work.
- Cleared cyber roles restrict access: Leidos' live Fort Meade analyst posting requires active Top Secret clearance with a polygraph.
- Cost overruns threaten margins: firm fixed price work accounted for 43% of Leidos' fiscal 2025 revenue.
What makes Leidos unique
- Runway capacity improves through software: Leidos and UK navigation provider NATS optimize landing spacing with Intelligent Approach.
- Leidos reaches patients directly: its QTC medical exam business connects over 15,000 providers with more than 90 clinics.
- Leidos builds battlefield hardware: it is the Army's prime contractor for Enduring Shield, a mobile air-defense launcher.
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Benefits
Medical, dental, & vision insurance
Health Savings account
Income protection
PTO
Paid parental leave
Jury duty pay
Bereavement leave
401(k) Retirement Plan
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Family Benefits
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
8%1 year growth
8%2 year growth
8%Blackstone Credit & Insurance (BXCI) is leading a $1 billion financing package for the merger of Analogic Corporation with three Leidos units: Security Enterprise Solutions, Ports & Borders, and Industrial Automation. The combined business will make imaging and detection technology for sectors such as aviation security and healthcare. BXCI is lead lender and joint lead arranger, alongside HPS, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. Brad Colman, BXCI's head of healthcare investing, called the deal proof of its strength in building large credit strategies with flexible solutions. Analogic is based in Salem, New Hampshire. Leidos employs 50,000 people and earned $17.2 billion in fiscal 2026. BXCI managed $443 billion in assets at the end of 2025. Roughly 75% of Blackstone's credit assets are backed by institutional and insurance clients.
Blackstone is leading a $1bn private credit financing to support the combination of the security enterprise solutions businesses of Leidos Holdings and Analogic Corporation, Bloomberg reported. Blackstone Credit & Insurance is reportedly lead lender and joint lead arranger, alongside HPS Investment Partners, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. Leidos, a listed engineering and technology services company based in Virginia, serves government and commercial clients. It generated $17.2bn in revenue in 2025. Analogic develops imaging, detection, artificial intelligence, and automation technologies. Private equity firm Altaris acquired it in a $1.1bn take-private deal in 2018. Blackstone was reportedly also among the lenders in a recent financing for Waymo, which was increased to $5bn.
Leidos is taking part in Reveille Forge, the US Army's new permanent integration and testing environment, to help spot technology integration problems sooner. The Army set up the site after its Operation Jailbreak exercise earlier this year. Reveille Forge replaces periodic events with a continuous "integrate-first" approach. Government, industry, and academia can test how technologies work together before they reach soldiers in the field. Leidos recently completed Jailbreak Sprint 1.5 at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. It followed the first sprint at Fort Carson, Colorado, in June, where the company tested its IFPC Inc 2, MXR, and ALPS systems. "Now, Reveille Forge gives the Army and industry an enduring environment to integrate early, test together and mature capabilities faster," said Matt Becker, a Leidos vice president.
X-Bow Systems, a US maker of solid rocket motors, has been selected by Leidos to develop and produce booster motors for the US Army's new Low-Cost Containerized Munition (LCCM), a low-cost cruise missile. The company announced the deal on October 12, 2026, at the Association of the United States Army annual meeting in Washington. X-Bow will handle design, qualification testing, and static fires before full-rate production in 2027. Leidos will build the munitions in large quantities under the Department of War's "Arsenal of Freedom" initiative. "Modern conflict is decided by how many rounds you can put downrange, not how exquisite each one is," said chief executive officer Jason Hundley. It is the sixth new propulsion program X-Bow has won in 2026. The company recently completed its first major production contract, delivering more than 2,100 rocket motors.
Founders and finance leaders shortlisted for Scotland Women in Technology Awards. Business founders, financial services executives and computing educators are among the finalists for the 2026 Scotland Women in Technology Awards, Why? Free to subscribe, no paywall, daily business news digest. Business founders, financial services executives and computing educators are among the finalists for the 2026 Scotland Women in Technology Awards, following more than 200 nominations across 10 categories. The shortlist was announced at headline sponsor Morgan Stanley's Glasgow office. Winners will be revealed at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel on Thursday 5 November. Now in their ninth year, the awards recognise contributions across career stages, from rising stars and career changers to mentors, innovators and leaders. They also recognise gender diversity allies, diversity initiatives and inclusive recruitment practices. Sheryl Newman, founder of Appetite for Business, is shortlisted for Inspirational Woman of the Year alongside Hypercube product manager Ivona Voroneckaja, dressCode founder and computer science teacher Toni Scullion, and ScottishPower cyber governance lead Emma Mackenzie. The Female Innovator category includes StructuredAF founder Alex Sheach, AffectiveHalo founder and chief executive Esma Benssassi, Morgan Stanley executive director Colette Robinson, and Megan Reutin, global head of data science, advanced analytics and AI at Grünenthal. Silka Patel, founder and chair of Scotland Women in Technology, said: "Since founding SWiT 18 years ago, I have been a big believer in the position that if you cannot see it, then you cannot be it. This year's incredible shortlist which includes computing teachers, tech associates, company founders and vice presidents at globally renowned firms highlights that representation does indeed exist, and gender championship is happening across the breadth of roles that exist within the tech sector - from the grassroots to global networks. I cannot wait to celebrate each of our finalists in November." Lloyds Banking Group, Leidos and Gigged AI are competing for Inclusive Recruiter of the Year. The Diversity Initiative shortlist comprises the ScotlandIS Scholarship with Education Academy Scotland, dressCode's Hopper Awards and the Ada Scotland Festival. Modulr's Chloe Masterson, whose role is in AI and automation, appears in both the Career Changer and Rising Star shortlists. Fellow Rising Star finalists are Asha Mullen, associate digital consultant at Storm ID, and Bolu Omosowon, software engineer at JPMorganChase. Other categories recognise unsung heroes, mentors, gender diversity allies and everyday leaders, with finalists working across organisations including Morgan Stanley, JPMorganChase, Adobe, Dropbox and Kaluza. Marina Carson, executive director at Morgan Stanley, said: "When women thrive in technology, innovation thrives. Morgan Stanley is proud to headline sponsor the Scotland Women in Technology Awards, recognising those breaking barriers, driving change, and shaping the future of our industry." In case you missed it: The Royal Bank of Scotland is the awards' gold sponsor. SWiT has also appointed Margaret Totten, chief revenue officer at Yavrio, as vice chair. A board trustee since 2019, she previously served as the organisation's treasurer.