Junior Mechanical Engineer - TS/SCI Polygraph Required

Via Logic LLC; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Reston, VA is seeking a Junior Mechanical Engineer to support national security missions by analyzing facility designs, MEP systems, and complex infrastructure. You will apply mechanical engineering principles to characterize layouts, assess performance, and identify vulnerabilities in denied-access environments.

You will collaborate with engineers, analysts, and government personnel, develop 3D models and simulations, produce technical reports, CAD/BIM outputs, and contribute to

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold an in-scope and active TS/SCI Polygraph clearance with ability to maintain it while in position.
• Bachelor's degree with 2+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's with less than 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in facility analysis, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and mechanical engineering within DoD or Intelligence Community environments.
• MEP systems knowledge: design, integration, and operation in complex facilities including containment and backup power.
• Ability to identify HVAC equipment, estimate system size and capacity, and assess operational capabilities from visual analysis.
• Experience with 3D modeling, engineering analysis, and physical simulation methodologies.
• Familiarity with interpreting engineering drawings, layouts, blueprints, and intelligence-derived data.
• Ability to communicate assumptions and information gaps clearly when information is incomplete.

Responsibilities

• Reverse engineer and characterize facility layouts, building architecture, and workflows in denied-access environments to determine purpose and capacity.
• Evaluate designs to identify vulnerabilities, bottlenecks, and mission impacts.
• Develop high-fidelity 3D models and run engineering simulations of facility operations and constraints.
• Assess supporting facility systems with emphasis on MEP integration and functionality.
• Translate field data and assessments into technical reports, CAD/BIM outputs, and analyses for DoD stakeholders.
• Support R&D initiatives to advance methodologies, modeling capabilities, and mission solutions.

Skills

Engineering principles

3D modeling

Data analysis

Technical communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree (2+ years)

Master's degree (<2 years)

Tools

Autodesk Revit

VENTSIM

ETAP

BIM (Building Information Modeling)

Job description

Junior Mechanical Engineer

Leidos is seeking a motivated Mechanical Engineer to support critical national security missions in Reston, Virginia. This role focuses on the assessment, reverse engineering, and characterization of complex above-ground and subterranean facilities located in denied-access environments.

The successful candidate will apply mechanical engineering principles to analyze facility designs, spatial layouts, operational workflows, and supporting infrastructure to determine functional capabilities and mission relevance. You will evaluate facility systems, model critical infrastructure, identify vulnerabilities, and contribute technical insights that support complex intelligence and defense initiatives.

This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving challenging problems in situations where complete information is rarely available. The ideal candidate combines curiosity, analytical thinking, and engineering rigor with exceptional attention to detail. Working alongside experienced engineers, analysts, and government personnel, you will contribute to mission-critical assessments in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Primary Responsibilities

Reverse Engineering & Facility Characterization

Analyze and characterize the physical and functional attributes of facility layouts, building architecture, and operational workflows within denied-access environments to determine facility purpose, capability, and operational capacity.

Vulnerability Assessments

Evaluate facility and infrastructure designs to identify security vulnerabilities, single points of failure, operational bottlenecks, and potential mission impacts.

3D Modeling & Simulation

Develop high-fidelity 3D models and conduct engineering simulations to replicate facility operations, workflow efficiencies, and structural or mechanical limitations.

Infrastructure Analysis

Apply multidisciplinary engineering knowledge to assess supporting facility systems, with a primary focus on Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) integration and functionality.

Technical Documentation & Reporting

Translate field-collected data, intelligence information, and engineering assessments into comprehensive technical reports, CAD/BIM products, and simulation-based analyses for Department of Defense stakeholders.

Research & Development

Support customer-approved research and development initiatives independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team to advance analytical methodologies, modeling capabilities, and mission solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Candidates for consideration must possess an in-scope and active TS/SCI Polygraph clearance and the ability/willingness to maintain this clearance while holding this position. U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Working knowledge of engineering principles, theories, concepts, and techniques, with the ability to apply them to technical and mission-focused challenges.
• Bachelor's degree with 2+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with less than 2 years of relevant experience.
• Relevant experience includes facility analysis, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and mechanical engineering within commercial, Department of Defense, or Intelligence Community environments.
• MEP Systems Knowledge: Understanding of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) system design, integration, and operational functionality within complex industrial or military facilities, including specialized containment systems, filtration systems, and backup power infrastructure.
• Ability to identify industrial HVAC equipment, estimate system size and capacity, and assess operational capabilities through visual analysis.
• Ability to evaluate, organize, and utilize large datasets from diverse sources, including field-collected data, equipment technical manuals, and existing facility models.
• Experience with 3D modeling, engineering analysis, and physical simulation methodologies.
• Familiarity with interpreting engineering drawings, facility layouts, blueprints, and intelligence-derived technical data.
• Ability to make sound technical judgments with incomplete information and clearly communicate assumptions, information gaps, and recommended paths forward.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of field experience working with industrial HVAC systems, including air-cooled and water-cooled chillers, condensers, cooling towers, air handlers, heat exchangers, boilers, and related equipment.
• Working knowledge of air management systems supporting critical environments, including medical laboratories, clean rooms, chemical laboratories, and similar specialized facilities.
• Hands-on experience with advanced Building Information Modeling (BIM) and engineering simulation tools, including Autodesk Revit, VENTSIM, ETAP, and other industry-standard CAD and modeling platforms.
• Experience supporting forensic engineering investigations, industrial accident analyses, or Department of Defense facility vulnerability studies.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license and/or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience identifying mechanical system vulnerabilities and developing effective corrective actions.

#ASBA

#Snakehead

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.

Original Posting:

August 14, 2026

Pay Range:

Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00

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.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

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.