Sr Mechanical Engineer

Employer 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 sustainable. 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.

Your greatest work is ahead!

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

Leidos Defense Systems is seeking a highly motivated Sr Mechanical Engineer who loves collaboration and being a part of something big, to join our team. This role drives the implementation of Value Driven Design and advanced Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) workflows across complex, high-priority DoD portfolios. As a Leidos Sr Mechanical Engineer, you will bridge systems architecture, parametric lifecycle modeling, and cross-functional engineering execution.

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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Primary Responsibilities:

Architect, lead, and deliver state-of-the-art avionics, weapon interfaces, and custom/COTS Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) for missile systems, and fieldable launch platforms.Design for flight structures and mass optimization studies.Design for manufacturability and assembly optimization.Design for electronics packaging.Bill of Material development and component specification composition.Contribute to all phases of a development cycle: planning, design and development, implementation, test and delivery.Direct multi-disciplinary Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) for structures. Act as the primary internal technical authority, hosting weekly technical interchange meetings with external subcontractors to maintain design consistency.Partner with systems engineering teams to translate military standards into rigorous hardware requirements. support Control Account Managers (CAMs) by providing precise technical write-ups, work breakdowns, and schedule estimates for Earned Value Management (EVM), CapEx initiatives, and major competitive proposals. 

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.10+ years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 8+ years with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering for complex aerospace, missile, or defense systems.Demonstrated experience owning end-to-end systems engineering (requirements, architecture, interfaces, integration, verification, and validation) on large or complex projects.Experience with missile, high-speed flight, or advanced weapon systems (e.g., hypersonics, ballistic missiles, interceptors, or similar).Experience with requirements and configuration management tools (e.g., DOORS or equivalent); familiarity with MBSE concepts and tools.Proven ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams and resolve complex technical issues.Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience briefing leadership and customers.Active DoD Top Secret or TS/SCI preferred.U.S. citizenship required.Candidate must be a resident of or be willing to relocate to the Albuquerque, NM or Huntsville, AL area 

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline.Direct experience on hypersonic boost-glide, air-breathing hypersonic, or other high-Mach flight test or weapon programs.Experience with responsibility for technical scope, cost, and schedule on government contracts.Direct experience with ND systems and componentsExperience designing and executing experiments for strategic environmentsExperience in mechanical engineering within the NNSA nuclear complexProficiency with CAD software for complicated mechanical designs – solidworks, creo, etcExperience in design and analysis with structural components and mountsFinite Element Analysis and simulation experienceFamiliarity developing prototypes, and their testing and validationExperience with testing and analysis of thermal, shock, and vibrationExperience integrating subsystems into next level of assembly systemsExperience with weapon systems and weapon system teamsExperience with material selection for systems in strategic environmentsExperience with blast tubes, sled tracks, drop tests, and vibrafuge testingExperience with uncertainty quantification and approaches
Appkinetic

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:November 4, 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 $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

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.