Description
Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?
At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.
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, hypersonic weapon system solutions, 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.
Leidos’ Defense Systems Hypersonics Systems Division is seeking a Thermal Protection System Deputy Program Manager to join our team. The Deputy Program Manager will assist the Program Manager in leadership of all program management functions related to special funded efforts under our Thermal Protection System Program. The position will have responsibility for planning, tracking, and execution of complex tasking within technical, schedule, and budget constraints. The program involves advanced high temperature and composite materials manufacturing, characterization, and testing. The program also involves management complexity related to performance by a group of subcontracted team members, interactions with multiple government organization as part of a “badge-less” team, several geographically dispersed places of performance, and a complex multi-agency customer set including AvMC, Sandia National Labs, Navy, and Army.
Primary Responsibilities
A strong technical and/or operations background in high temperature materials and/or composite systems with at least 5 years of experience in managing testing, planning, and scheduling in support of complex technical programs.
Evaluate and guide daily execution activities in support of the program manager
Lead IPT meetings and set expectations for project team
Routinely evaluate program technical and programmatic metrics to ensure successful execution
Manage risk and identify opportunities at the IPT level including working with the IPT to develop mitigation strategies and plans to realize opportunities
Identify capability or process gaps and provide recommendations for improvement
Actively participate in change management including developing business cases for changes recommended by the IPT, assessing supply chain vulnerability related to contemplated changes and incorporating changes approved by the Change Control Board
Coordinate program activities across multiple functional activities.
Foster intra-project coordination and communication
Aid program manager in mitigating cost, schedule, and technical risks related to materials used on the program
Plan and execute a hardware centric project
Creates project plans
Maintains project objectives
Define tasks and required resources
Assist with assembling and managing project team
Work with program schedulers to maintain schedule
Oversight of the technical scope under the assigned control accounts
Oversight of the control account budgets and schedules:
Variance analysis (SPI/CPI/TCPI)
Schedule analysis (BEI/CEI)
BCR submittals
Status of work package tasks under assigned control account
Validation of actual costs charged to the assigned control accounts
Development and implementation of corrective actions
Generation of timely Estimated to Completes (ETC)
Coordinating release of work authorizations to team members
Development, management, and coordination of various informational products to support:
Weekly Program Management Reviews (PMRs)
Weekly senior management meetings
Monthly internal and external programmatic reviews
Customer IPT meetings
Tracking and providing status of internal and external action items
Basic Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
- Flight Programs (Missile, Space Launch or Rocket launch systems)
- Project management qualification (PMP) or equivalent is desirable
- Experience in strategic and tactical planning is desirable
- Proven leadership skills
- Proven history of working in a team environment, fostering communication, listening to teammate concerns and reconciling internal issues or differences
- Proven ability to solicit and process complex information and data to solve complex problems and make sound decisions
- Strong interpersonal skills with measured and articulate communication skills
- Analytical and strong organizational skills, with excellent verbal and written ability
We’re not looking for perfectly polished resumes or perfect fits. We’re looking for people who break limits, ask hard questions, and don’t wait to be told what’s next. At Leidos, we’re not following the roadmap — we’re redrawing it.
Original Posting:
November 13, 2025
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 $112,450.00 - $203,275.00
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 LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com.
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-Descrimination
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.
