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
Basic Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
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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.
Leidos is a Fortune 500® innovation company rapidly addressing the world’s most vexing challenges in national security and health. The company's global workforce of 48,000 collaborates to create smarter technology solutions for customers in heavily regulated industries. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $15.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023.
Leidos was cited for the meaningful work employees perform that is challenging, impactful, and aligned with our customers’ missions as reasons professionals want to work and stay at our company. Leidos has also been named to lists including Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, and Ethisphere Institute’s World's Most Ethical Companies®.
Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors and talented colleagues and customers. Employees appreciate our flexible work environment, allowing for and encouraging a true work-life balance. Our professionals are also excited about our Employee Resource Groups, like the Collaborative Outreach with Remote and Embedded Employees (CORE), which strives to create an environment where every employee, regardless of location, feels fully engaged as a valued employee of Leidos.
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