Senior Mechanical Engineer

R-00195350

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.

 

Your greatest work is ahead!

 

Leidos’ Defense Systems is seeking a talented Senior Mechanical Engineer for its Hypersonics line of business. 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 selected candidate will support the Thermal Protection System (TPS) program of the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB). The CHGB is the Army’s #1 priority for strategic weapons capability for long-range precision fires and will counter and gain a lead on our adversaries' technological advances in this field. Come join us in this exciting, cutting-edge field!

 

A successful candidate will bring extensive technical experience and a strong understanding of product requirements to work closely with manufacturing teams to lead the resolution of complex, multidisciplinary engineering problems in a fast-paced, low-rate initial production (LRIP) environment. The candidate will apply advanced technical knowledge, experience, and independent engineering judgment across assigned areas to identify issues, evaluate solutions, and drive complex technical issues to resolution while balancing product quality, cost, and schedule considerations.

 

This role will require a comprehensive understanding of the processes and key characteristics of assigned product lines while providing technical leadership and direction across multiple disciplines, including design engineering, manufacturing engineering, process control, and Material Review Board (MRB) activities. The candidate will also collaborate with suppliers to resolve complex technical and production issues and lead continuous improvement and cost-reduction initiatives.

 

A primary measure of success in this role is effectively supporting the production team in achieving on-time delivery of compliant products with complete flight traceability.

 

Candidate will need to support second-shift manufacturing operations (3:00 PM–11:00 PM Central Time) occasionally (~5% of the time). Up to 20% of the time will be spent traveling to the Colorado Springs, CO based manufacturing location.

 

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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Primary Responsibilities. 

• Provide technical leadership and coordinate mechanical engineering activities for the Thermal Protection System, ensuring engineering solutions meet product requirements and manufacturing objectives.
• Lead the evaluation and implementation of engineering changes in coordination with the design agent to enhance manufacturability, quality, and production efficiency.
• Lead cross-functional technical investigations to identify and resolve complex engineering issues and production bottlenecks impacting manufacturing flow and delivery.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineering to provide technical guidance in the development and refinement of work instructions, process improvements, and production optimization efforts.
• Provide direct technical guidance and support to technicians during Thermal Protection System installation and integration activities, including periodic onsite work within classified environments (~10% of time).
• Evaluate nonconforming hardware, develop technically sound dispositions within established MRB authority, and lead Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations to identify and eliminate recurring issues.
• Lead technical investigations and develop corrective action recommendations in support of the Failure Review Board (FRB) process.
• Serve as a primary technical interface with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to communicate technical status, resolve complex engineering issues, and drive technical decisions and solutions.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced engineers, supporting their professional development and strengthening overall team technical capabilities.
• Evaluate the technical, cost, and schedule impacts of engineering issues and proposed solutions, proactively identifying risks and recommending mitigation strategies.

Basic Qualifications. 

• U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution with 8+ years of relevant experience, a Master’s degree in Engineering with 6+ years of relevant experience, or a high school diploma with 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and evaluate complex mechanical designs using 3D CAD tools such as Creo, CATIA, AutoCAD, or SolidWorks.
• Working knowledge of ASME Y14.5 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) principles, including the ability to perform tolerance stack-up analyses.
• Understanding of engineering drawings, specifications, and configuration management processes.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading the investigation and resolution of complex technical issues in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience evaluating nonconforming hardware, supporting engineering dispositions, and conducting root-cause investigations.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple complex technical assignments in a fast-paced environment while meeting challenging deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound engineering judgment, and provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced engineers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to travel to the Colorado Springs, CO based manufacturing location up to 20% of the time.
• Ability to support second-shift manufacturing operations (3:00 PM–11:00 PM Central Time) occasionally (~5% of the time).

Preferred Qualifications.

• Active Secret security clearance.
• Experience supporting DoD programs related to missile systems, reentry vehicles, or hypersonic technologies.
• Experience with the design, integration, or manufacturing of Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) for hypersonic vehicles.
• Experience in composite design, analysis, or manufacturing.
• Experience leading technical activities supporting assembly, integration, or testing of missile systems.
• Experience supporting rapid development, prototyping, or fast-paced engineering programs.
• Experience applying AS9100 aerospace quality management requirements in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating and communicating the technical, cost, and schedule impacts of engineering decisions.
• Experience with formal MRB/FRB processes, complex failure investigations, and corrective action implementation in aerospace or defense manufacturing environments.

 

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: October 23, 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 $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

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 .

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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-Discrimination

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.