Principal Autonomy and Resilient Systems Scientist (San Diego)

Job Description

Description

Are you a motivated Principal Resilient Systems Scientist with a technical vision and hands-on knowledge of mission-focused systems? The Leidos Innovations Centers newly established Information and Data Science Division is seeking a Senior Resilient Systems Scientist to help lead strategic solution developments and projects. This role will drive the capture of strategic customer-funded software R&D. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in developing technology-based approaches that yield novel, innovative capabilities while advancing the state of the art. We are looking for a proven researcher who can develop and lead a groundbreaking research portfolio using both internal and customer funding.

Please note: This is an on-site role. The ideal candidate will be able to work out of our San Diego, CA; Arlington, VA or Dayton, OH offices. Occasional telework may be available.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop innovative solutions to challenging problems of interest to DARPA and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
• Engage R&D customers and transition partners to understand technical gaps and needs for resilient systems solutions in mission-critical systems.
• Lead and execute research in areas such as naval surface platforms, autonomy, and resilient systems.
• Develop and deliver software products.
• Lead teams of researchers and engineers to develop, adapt, and extend innovative approaches to resilient systems solutions across various technical areas, advancing the state of the art and addressing long-term security problems like embedded systems.
• Develop novel approaches for assurance evidence for critical software at scale.
• Collaborate in cross-disciplinary teams to deliver innovations with measurable resilient mission impact.
• Track software technology trends within the customer community and broader R&D communities, and identify future funding opportunities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field with 12+ years of relevant experience; M.S. with 10+ years; Ph.D. with 8+ years.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Qualified candidates must possess a Secret clearance and have the ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.
• Proven success in proposing, winning, and executing work with agencies like DARPA, IARPA within the last 5 years.
• Experience in developing and delivering software products.
• Experience with surface platforms, autonomous systems, and naval applications.
• Experience in FPGA development, embedded systems, formal verification, and related technologies.
• Experience with autonomous systems and naval surface vessels.
• Proven track record in proposing, winning, and executing R&D contracts.
• At least 4 years of programming experience in Java, Scala, C/C++, Ruby, Rust, or Python.
• Experience in software testing, analysis, and specification.
• Strong communication skills, capable of engaging with senior leadership and technical teams, and presenting complex solutions clearly.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Mathematics, or related fields.
• Experience in FPGA development, embedded systems, formal methods, and automated reasoning tools.
• Research experience in CPS domains like autonomous vehicles, IoT, or smart sensors, addressing technical challenges in security-relevant domains.
• Experience in semantic software analysis.
• Strong customer relationship skills, with the ability to identify challenges, recommend approaches, and shape future opportunities.
• Experience applying formal methods in complex, uncertain, and evolving technical environments.
• Ability to work in fast-paced settings.
• Excellent communication skills for technical presentations and documentation.
• Experience building strong, multidisciplinary research teams.
• Experience developing software for critical, certifiable applications.

LInC

Original Posting: July 18, 2025

For U.S. positions, the job is expected to remain open for at least 3 days from the posting date, with an anticipated close date no earlier than 3 days after posting.

Pay Range: $126,100.00 - $227,950.00

The pay range is a general guideline and not a guarantee. Compensation factors include responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, and applicable laws.