Flight Dynamics Engineer — Hypersonics & Space Systems

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

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;