Engineering People Manager

Leidos is seeking an Engineering People Manager to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the development of the Leidos Common Automation Platform (L-CAP).

L-CAP is a mission-critical, future-ready automation platform built on a hybrid cloud data mesh architecture, enabling next-generation air traffic management capabilities. We are building with an AI-first engineering mindset, embracing emerging AI capabilities and modern development practices to accelerate delivery, improve software quality, and continuously evolve how we design and build mission-critical systems. This role operates within a SAFe/Agile framework as part of an Agile Release Train (ART) delivering iterative value across the program. This position supports government programs and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation. 

This is a People Manager role focused on the growth, well-being, and effectiveness of engineering personnel—not technical delivery leadership. You will manage 15–20 Leidos engineers embedded across Agile Release Trains (ARTs), serving as their advocate for career development, performance management, and workforce health. You will collaborate closely with ART leadership and functional management to ensure the right people are in the right roles and thriving. 

This role is part of a growing program, and hiring will depend on available funding. We review applications on a rolling basis, but the timeline for interviews and offers may vary. In some cases, we may extend contingent offers that become active once funding is confirmed. 

This position is located in either Gaithersburg, MD; Eagan, MN; or Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days onsite and 2 days working from home.

What You’ll Do 

• Manage 15–20 Leidos engineering personnel across one or more ARTs, serving as their direct people manager 

• Conduct regular one-on-ones, quarterly check-ins, and annual performance reviews aligned with Leidos HR processes 

• Drive individualized career development plans and identify growth opportunities, training, and stretch assignments 

• Coordinate staffing and resource allocation in partnership with ART leadership and program management 

• Support hiring activities including requisition development, interview participation, and onboarding of new team members 

• Monitor workforce health indicators (engagement, retention risk, workload balance) and proactively address concerns 

• Facilitate conflict resolution and navigate interpersonal challenges within and across teams 

• Collaborate with ART leads and Product Owners to understand team dynamics and personnel needs 

• Ensure compliance with Leidos HR policies, timekeeping requirements, and personnel administration 

• Advocate for team recognition, promotions, and compensation adjustments based on performance and market alignment 

• Support organizational change initiatives and communicate corporate/business area updates to direct reports 

• Champion an AI-first engineering culture by identifying and applying AI-assisted development capabilities, automation, and emerging software engineering practices that improve developer productivity, code quality, testing, and delivery. 

Core Technical Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or related field with 5+ years of total professional experience or a Master's degree and 3+ years total experience. Additional equivalent experience may be used in lieu of degree.

• Minimum 2+ years of direct people management experience including performance evaluations, career development, and personnel actions 

• Engineering or technical background sufficient to understand the work context and challenges of managed personnel 

• Demonstrated experience with performance management processes, goal setting, and constructive feedback delivery 

• Experience supporting hiring processes including job description development, interviewing, and candidate evaluation 

• Strong conflict resolution and interpersonal skills with ability to navigate sensitive personnel situations 

• Familiarity with HR processes, employment policies, and workforce administration in a government contracting environment 

• Excellent communication skills for engaging with direct reports, leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders 

• Experience managing geographically distributed or hybrid teams 

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust

• U.S. citizenship required

• Must be able to successfully complete future background investigations as required by the government customer

Preferred / Desired Qualifications 

• Experience as a people manager in a SAFe Agile or large-scale Agile environment 

• Familiarity with Leidos-specific HR systems, processes, and corporate culture 

• Background in aviation, FAA, or mission-critical program environments 

• Coaching certification or formal leadership development training 

• Experience managing technical professionals in a matrixed organization 

• Knowledge of workforce planning and demand forecasting 

• Experience supporting organizational growth or transformation initiatives