Flight Dynamicist

Leidos LLC; Shalimar (FL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos seeks a Flight Dynamicist to join our Defense Systems Advanced Development Organization. You will develop and analyze flight dynamics models, perform trajectory design and optimization, and design GNC algorithms for missiles, hypersonic vehicles, and space systems.

You’ll work with a multidisciplinary team to advance vehicle concepts from design through testing. Requirements include a 4-year degree (ABET) in aerospace/related fields and 4+ years in flight dynamics or related areas;

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from ABET-accredited institution; 4+ years of experience in flight dynamics or related aerospace disciplines.
• Master's degree preferred; strong background in modeling and simulation and trajectory design.

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze 3DOF and 6DOF flight dynamics models to evaluate vehicle performance and stability across the full flight envelope.
• Perform trajectory design, optimization, and trade studies for hypersonic, missile, launch vehicle, and space systems.
• Design, implement, and validate guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms including autopilot logic and terminal guidance functions.
• Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development, requirements analysis, and test activities.
• Conduct aerodynamic, propulsion, mass properties, and environmental sensitivity analyses to assess performance and risk.
• Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability, separation dynamics, staging events, and atmospheric/orbital operations as applicable.
• Develop and integrate mission-level models within modeling/simulation frameworks and hardware-in-the-loop or software-in-the-loop architectures.
• Support flight test planning, pre/post-flight analyses, and data interpretation to validate models.
• Collaborate across aerodynamics, propulsion, thermal, systems engineering, software, and mission analysis teams.
• Support technical proposals, customer engagements, and strategic growth initiatives related to advanced aerospace systems.
• Present technical results and recommendations to leadership and customers through briefings and design reviews.

Skills

Flight dynamics

Trajectory optimization

Guidance & control

Modeling & simulation

Python

C/C++

MATLAB/Simulink

Data pipelines

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelor's in Aerospace/Mechanical/Physics/Applied Math

Master's degree in related field

Tools

STK

GMAT

FORTRAN

C/C++

Python

MATLAB/Simulink

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’ Defense Systems Advanced Development Organization is seeking a talented Flight Dynamicist to join our team 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.

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 includes 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.

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 and 4 years of experience.
• Minimum Masters and 2-4 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.
• Demonstrated capability establishing data pipeline transformations, executing batch simulation runs, or debugging continuous integration test sequences.
• 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 TS, as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors or Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems 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 creating automated device tracking architectures, signal capture setups, or localized RF / wireless detection configurations within secured engineering environments.
• Hands‑on experience configuring hardware interfaces, firmware execution (e.g., microcontrollers, embedded single-board computers), or mechanical prototyping layouts.
• Familiarity with collaborative design suites, parameter manipulation, and distributed configuration tooling (such as Onshape, Fusion 360, or Solid Edge).
• Background supporting complex tactical defense systems, global missile defense simulation suites, or precise long-range missile performance studies.
• Active TS Clearance

Pay Range

Pay Range: Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00 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.

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.

Original Posting: July 15, 2026

Pay and Benefits

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 here.

Commitment and Diversity

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.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

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 $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

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.