Branch Manager Applied Engineering

Via Logic LLC; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a senior engineering leader to serve as the Applied Engineering integrator for a high-visibility, low-rate developmental aerospace vehicle test program. This role blends deep technical credibility with strong business operations acumen and administrative leadership to translate engineering and manufacturing realities into clear, decision-ready information for leadership.

The role requires hands-on vehicle integration leadership across multiple subsystems, with a focus on

Responsibilities

• Track how developmental aerospace hardware moves from engineering definition through fabrication, assembly, integration, test, field operations, and flight, and independently assess whether manufacturing and operations teams are truly ready rather than relying solely on schedule or status reporting.
• Identify unplanned constraints early - tooling, facilities, work instructions, personnel, training, material, test equipment, inspection capacity, configuration, transportation, and range support - and drive resolution without directly managing the manufacturing organization.
• Apply hands-on experience in complex aerospace vehicle integration across propulsion, structures, avionics, electrical systems, GNC, software, instrumentation, and/or energetic systems.
• Lead integration sequencing, interface management, configuration control, test planning, verification, discrepancy resolution, and retest; distinguish between a component being “complete” and being “integration-ready.”
• Support environmental, functional, ground, captive-carry/range, and flight-test activities, always protecting downstream integration and test milestones.

Job 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!

Leidos is seeking a senior engineering leader to serve as the Applied Engineering integrator for a high-visibility, low-rate developmental aerospace vehicle test program. This role is an enabler and organizational force multiplier who ensures the enterprise can repeatedly execute a complex build, integrate, test, and operate cycle without organizational friction becoming the pacing item. The successful candidate blends deep technical credibility in aerospace systems development, integration, and modeling with strong business operations acumen and administrative leadership, translating engineering and manufacturing realities into clear, decision-ready information for program and functional leadership.

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!

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing and Operational Readiness

• Track how developmental aerospace hardware moves from engineering definition through fabrication, assembly, integration, test, field operations, and flight, and independently assess whether manufacturing and operations teams are truly ready rather than relying solely on schedule or status reporting.
• Identify unplanned constraints early - tooling, facilities, work instructions, personnel, training, material, test equipment, inspection capacity, configuration, transportation, and range support - and drive resolution without directly managing the manufacturing organization.

Vehicle Integration and Test Leadership

• Apply hands-on experience in complex aerospace vehicle integration across propulsion, structures, avionics, electrical systems, GNC, software, instrumentation, and/or energetic systems.
• Lead integration sequencing, interface management, configuration control, test planning, verification, discrepancy resolution, and retest; distinguish between a component being “complete” and being “integration-ready.”
• Support environmental, functional, ground, captive-carry/range, and flight-test activities, always protecting downstream integration and test milestones.

Cross-Functional Integration

• Operate fluently across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, mission assurance, operations, finance, contracts, security, facilities, and IT, and with senior leadership.
• Navigate Leidos business processes and tailor reporting to organizational requirements; build relationships that secure organizational support quickly.
• Judge when to resolve an issue informally, when to stand up a repeatable process, and when to elevate - creating clarity across boundaries without requiring formal authority over every stakeholder.

Procurement and Supply Chain Fluency

• Understand the mechanics of procurement - requirements definition, requisitions, sourcing, RFQs, supplier selection, purchase orders, lead times, subcontracts, receiving inspection, nonconformance, and supplier performance.
• Differentiate normal procurement cycle time from an emerging program threat, and maintain a focused critical-material view rather than exhaustive reporting on every purchase.
• Work constructively with procurement to keep long-lead and schedule-critical items visible and prioritized.

Organizational Responsiveness

• Anticipate demand on shared enterprise resources (specialty engineering, quality, procurement, facilities, security, test assets, transportation, technicians) before they become emergencies.
• Translate program needs into specific, actionable requests to functional organizations and follow through on commitments without creating a parallel management structure.
• Respectfully challenge organizational processes when cycle time is incompatible with program needs.

Business Operations and Administrative Leadership

• Own high-value, low-burden reporting: convert detailed program information into concise, audience-tailored reporting that emphasizes exceptions, trends, decisions, dependencies, and required actions.
• Leverage existing program data rather than standing up duplicate reporting systems, and shield engineers and operations personnel from unnecessary administrative churn.
• Develop a small set of meaningful indicators covering vehicle readiness, critical procurements, integration/test readiness, organizational dependencies, and emerging constraints.