Firmware Systems Manager

Lead the Software That Drives Autonomous Systems in the Real World

Leidos is seeking a Firmware Systems Manager to lead teams developing the low-level software that brings autonomous maritime systems to life. In this role, you will guide engineers working at the boundary between silicon, sensors, and mission software, delivering reliable, deterministic, and resilient firmware for Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) and related components operating in demanding real-world environments.

This position combines deep embedded systems expertise with people leadership and program ownership. You will shape how critical systems are built, mentor the next generation of technical leaders, and ensure that our platforms perform when and where it matters most.

Responsibilities

Technical & Mission Leadership

• Provide technical direction and oversight for bare-metal and low-level embedded software across multiple autonomous platforms.
• Maintain expert-level understanding of microcontroller-based systems, including STM32-class devices, interrupt-driven architectures, real-time timing, and hardware interfaces.
• Guide firmware architecture and integration strategies to ensure safety, reliability, and mission readiness.
• Serve as a senior technical escalation point for complex system-level issues.
• Promote disciplined engineering practices, including code reviews, documentation, verification, and configuration management.

People & Team Leadership

• Directly manage and develop engineers from junior to senior level.
• Conduct regular coaching, performance management, and career development discussions.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, and workforce planning for embedded and firmware teams.
• Mentor emerging technical and people leaders.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and inclusive engineering culture.
• Report to the division-level software/firmware engineering manager

Program Execution & Delivery

• Partner with Program Management, Systems Engineering, Hardware, and Operations to align technical execution with mission objectives.
• Translate requirements into executable technical roadmaps and staffing plans.
• Balance cost, schedule, quality, and risk across multiple programs.
• Ensure firmware deliverables meet customer, regulatory, and contractual requirements.
• Proactively identify and mitigate technical and organizational risks.

Process & Organizational Development

• Establish and continuously improve scalable embedded software development processes.
• Drive consistency in requirements flow-down, design reviews, integration testing, and release management.
• Champion best practices for mission-critical and safety-focused systems.
• Support internal and external technical reviews and assessments.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in embedded or firmware development, including significant bare-metal experience.
• 3+ years of experience in technical leadership, team lead, or supervisory roles.
• Strong proficiency in C/C++ for embedded systems.
• Demonstrated experience working with microcontrollers, peripherals, registers, and low-level drivers.
• Experience debugging complex hardware/software systems using JTAG/SWD, logic analyzers, and related tools.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing engineering teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government SECRET security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience developing software for autonomous systems, robotics, or maritime platforms.
• Familiarity with safety-critical or high-reliability standards (e.g., DO-178, IEC 61508, MISRA).
• Experience managing multiple teams or senior technical leads.
• Background in systems engineering or hardware design.
• Experience working in classified or highly regulated environments.
• Demonstrated success scaling teams and processes in growing technical organizations.

SUBSEAMSS

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.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

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.