Flight Dynamicist

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense Systems Advanced Development Organization seeks a Flight Dynamicist to join our team to create models and simulations for missiles, hypersonic and space vehicles. You will perform trajectory design, optimization, and multi-disciplinary analyses across a broad flight envelope, interfacing with propulsion, aerodynamics, and software teams.

The role emphasizes GNC algorithm development, high-fidelity digital engineering, and support for test planning and assessments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited institution.
• 8–10 years of experience in flight dynamics, trajectory analysis, mission design, guidance and control, or related aerospace disciplines.
• Experience developing and analyzing 3DOF and 6DOF vehicle simulations.
• Strong knowledge of flight mechanics, orbital mechanics, trajectory optimization, and vehicle performance.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, STK, GMAT, FORTRAN, C/C++.
• Experience performing multidisciplinary trade studies and translating results into system-level design.
• Active Secret security clearance (ability to obtain higher).

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze 3DOF and 6DOF flight dynamics models across full flight envelope.
• Design trajectory optimization for hypersonic and space systems.
• Develop and validate guidance, navigation, and control algorithms including autopilot logic.
• Create high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models for concept development.
• Aerodynamic, propulsion, mass properties, and environmental analyses to identify design drivers.
• Flight mechanics analyses including separation dynamics and reentry as applicable.
• Integrate mission-level models within modeling and simulation frameworks.
• Support flight test planning, pre/post-flight analyses, and data interpretation.
• Collaborate across disciplines to translate requirements into executable designs.
• Support proposals and design reviews with stakeholders.

Skills

Flight dynamics

Trajectory analysis

Mission design

Guidance and control

Modeling and simulation

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

STK

GMAT

FORTRAN

C/C++

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related engineering discipline, ABET-accredited

Master's Degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related discipline

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

STK

GMAT

FORTRAN

C/C++

Job description

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’ Defense Systems Advanced Development Organization is seeking a talented Flight Dynamicist to join our team to to create unique solutions for complex problems. 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 Advanced Concepts Flight Dynamicist will support modeling and simulation development, conceptual design, and vehicle development of various phases of Missiles, Hypersonic Vehicles, Satellites, and other Space Vehicles. The candidate will perform detailed analysis of flexible and rigid body simulations, separation dynamics, orbit dynamics, trajectory analysis, vehicle sizing, and optimization studies across a multi-disciplinary team.

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.

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

Are you ready to make an impact?

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze 3DOF and 6DOF flight dynamics models to evaluate vehicle performance, stability, controllability, and mission effectiveness across the full flight envelope.
• Perform trajectory design, optimization, and trade studies for hypersonic, missile, launch vehicle, and space systems, balancing performance, range, payload, thermal, and operational constraints.
• Design, implement, and validate guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms including autopilot logic, trajectory shaping, target engagement, and terminal guidance functions.
• Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development, requirements analysis, mission planning, system design, verification, and test activities.
• Conduct aerodynamic, propulsion, mass properties, and environmental sensitivity analyses to assess vehicle performance and identify key design drivers and technical risks.
• Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics, staging events, atmospheric flight, reentry, and orbital mission operations as applicable.
• Develop and integrate mission-level models within modeling and simulation frameworks, digital engineering environments, and hardware-in-the-loop or software-in-the-loop test architectures.
• Support flight test planning, pre-flight predictions, post-flight reconstruction, and data analysis activities to validate models and improve system performance.
• Collaborate across disciplines including aerodynamics, propulsion, thermal, systems engineering, software, and mission analysis teams to translate requirements into executable vehicle designs.
• Support technical proposals, customer engagements, concept studies, and strategic growth initiatives related to advanced aerospace, missile defense, hypersonic, and space systems.
• Present technical results, trade studies, and recommendations to internal leadership, customers, and stakeholders through briefings, reports, and design reviews.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited institution.
• Minimum 8-10 years of experience in flight dynamics, trajectory analysis, mission design, guidance and control, modeling and simulation, or related aerospace engineering disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience developing and analyzing 3DOF and/or 6DOF vehicle simulations.
• Strong understanding of flight mechanics, orbital mechanics, trajectory optimization, vehicle stability and control, mass properties, and aerospace vehicle performance.
• Experience with aerospace modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, STK, GMAT, FORTRAN, C/C++, or similar engineering software environments.
• Experience performing multidisciplinary trade studies and translating analytical results into system-level design recommendations.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional engineering teams in a fast-paced development environment.
• Experience supporting technical proposals, customer interactions, and engineering reviews.
• Active Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain higher clearances as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related discipline.
• Experience supporting hypersonic systems, missile systems, space vehicles, launch vehicles, reentry vehicles, or advanced weapons programs.
• Experience with digital engineering, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), or integrated modeling and simulation environments.
• Experience supporting flight test programs including mission planning, trajectory reconstruction, and post-flight analysis.
• Familiarity with guidance, navigation, and control design, Monte Carlo analysis, uncertainty quantification, and optimization techniques.
• Experience supporting DoD, AFRL, MDA, NASA, Space Force, Navy, or Air Force aerospace programs.
• Active TS Clearance

Pay Range

Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

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.

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.