FTAP Missile Launcher Chief Engineer

Leidos; Lawton (OK); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health and Wellness programs

Income Protection

Paid Leave and Retirement

Job summary

Leidos’ Defense Systems Mechanical Design & Analysis Department seeks a Missile Launcher Chief Engineer to lead the technical execution for a next‑gen air defense launcher within the US Army’s IFPC Inc 2 program. You will drive design integrity, performance, and disciplined engineering across development, test, production, and sustainment activities.

This role will initially be on-site in Huntsville, AL with frequent travel to Lawton, OK (approximately 25% during early program execution).

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent degree from an ABET‑accredited university.
• 12+ years of applicable experience in design and/or analysis of mechanical systems or 10+ years experience with a MS degree.
• Mission-focused. Ready to contribute to a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Lead your technical team to design a product that conforms to requirements, on schedule, within budget.
• Serve as the program’s technical lead for engineering execution, system performance, and compliance with requirements across multiple product lifecycle stages.
• Communicate technical progress, challenges, and opportunities to senior leadership and government stakeholders.
• Provide technical direction and oversight to subsystem leads, IPTs, and specialty engineering disciplines to ensure design maturity, integration, and risk mitigation.
• Mentor and develop technical staff, fostering a culture of innovation, rigor, and collaboration across the engineering organization.

Skills

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (ABET-accredited)

12+ years of mechanical design/analysis experience (or 10+ years with MS)

Job description

Description

Leidos’ Defense Systems Mechanical Design & Analysis Department is seeking a Missile Launcher Chief Engineer to join our team in Huntsville Alabama designing the next generation of air defense launchers to protect America and its allies. You will lead the technical execution for a launcher in the US Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC Inc 2) portfolio. You will guide the program through development, test, production, and sustainment activities. The Chief Engineer will serve as the technical authority across multiple product lines and configurations, ensuring design integrity, technical performance, and disciplined engineering execution. This role requires a systems-minded leader with the ability to balance near‑term production needs with long‑term technology advancement. This is not your average engineering position. You will work on a team of the most talented engineers in the region who push you to be better every day. This is a fast‑paced program with unique technical challenges that will be a rewarding milestone in any engineering career. If you are up for the challenge of joining this team,

This position will eventually be located full-time on-site in Lawton, Oklahoma. You may initially work on site in Huntsville, Alabama with frequent trips to Lawton (approximately 25% travel) during early program execution.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead your technical team to design a product that conforms to requirements, on schedule, within budget.

• Serve as the program’s technical lead for engineering execution, system performance, and compliance with requirements across multiple product lifecycle stages.

• Communicate technical progress, challenges, and opportunities to senior leadership and government stakeholders.

• Provide technical direction and oversight to subsystem leads, IPTs, and specialty engineering disciplines to ensure design maturity, integration, and risk mitigation.

• Mentor and develop technical staff, fostering a culture of innovation, rigor, and collaboration across the engineering organization.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent degree from an ABET‑accredited university

• 12+ years of applicable experience in design and/or analysis of mechanical systems or 10+ years experience with a MS degree

• Mission-focused. Ready to contribute to a high-performing team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates with experience leading large multi-disciplinary engineering design teams will be preferred.

Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

• competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave and Retirement

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.

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.