Section Manager - Assembly Integration and Test

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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.

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Leidos’ Defense Systems is seeking a Section Manager for Assembly, Integration, and Test to join our team supporting the multiple hypersonics programs as part of the Advanced Materials and Test Division.

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

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, 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. To explore and learn more, click here!

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Leidos, is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Section Manager for Assembly Integration and Test (AI&T) to support the nation’s leading Hypersonic Production Program. This position is within the Leidos Defense Systems Advanced Materials and Test Division. With offices across the United States engaging in the defense, space, cyber and commercial fields, Leidos provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific and IT solutions. 

The Section Manager will lead a section of AI&T engineers to integrate, test, and field hypersonic vehicles. The Section Manager is accountable for technical direction, schedule adherence, cross functional coordination, and ensuring manufacturability and testability through the assembly, integration, and testing cycle. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with hypersonic vehicle (or comparable aerospace vehicles) assembly and integration, familiarity with associated metrology (e.g blue light scanning), dynamic testing, environmental testing, and mass properties testing. This role requires expertise in assembly and checkout, manufacturing processes, and the ability to develop and implement inspection workflows and integration processes for complex aerospace assemblies.  

Primary Responsibilities.  Lead and mentor a Section of Metrology and AI&T engineers to deliver hypersonic vehicles per Technical Data Package requirements within scope, schedule, and budget.Oversee the assembly, integration, and testing of hypersonic vehicles, ensuring all systems meet design and performance requirements. Key concepts include process improvement, assembly, integration, test design, test planning, test execution, and leading cross-functional teams to drive project successEnsure compliance with system requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), safety policies, and applicable aerospace standards and regulationsCollaborate with manufacturing and quality to ensure producibility, maintain schedule commitments, and resolve nonconformances and build issuesGuide test planning and execution for environmental, structural, and functional verification of hypersonic vehicle components and assembliesManage technical risks through mitigation plans, verification of risk closure, and adjustment of schedule/requirements as applicableMaintain program-level documentation, configuration control, and technical dataInterface with program management, customers, and cross-program IPTs to align priorities and report technical statusundefinedBasic Qualifications.  Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related discipline and 12 – 15 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 10 – 13 years of prior relevant experience.Demonstrated experience on multidisciplinary engineering teams performing AI&T of hypersonic vehicles or comparable aerospace vehiclesPractical knowledge of hypersonic vehicle (or comparable aerospace vehicle) assembly, integration and testFamiliarity with producibility, fabrication processes, inspection, and manufacturing acceptance criteriaProven ability to plan and run verification/validation campaigns and to coordinate acceptance testingFamiliarity with packaging, transport, and handling requirements for missile hardwareExcellent written and verbal communication; ability to present complex technical information to diverse stakeholdersStrong leadership, decision-making, conflict resolution, and stakeholder management skillsExperience working with government/defense customers and knowledge of program lifecycle and contractual considerationsCandidate must be a US Citizen and be able to obtain and maintain a final secret clearance. 

Preferred Qualifications.Master’s or PhD in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems EngineeringPrior experience specifically on glide bodies, reentry vehicles, or guided munitionsFamiliarity with relevant standards (e.g., MIL STD, SAE, ASTM)Experience working prototype programs within an AS9100 production environmentSecret ClearedIf 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:October 29, 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:Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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.