Lead Mechanical Engineer - TS/SCI Polygraph Required

Leidos Inc; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to support critical national security missions in Reston, Virginia. The role focuses on assessment, reverse engineering, and characterization of complex facilities located in denied-access environments, with emphasis on MEP integration and infrastructure analysis.

The successful candidate will analyze facility designs, spatial layouts, and operational workflows, develop technical assessments, and translate data into comprehensive reports for

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI Polygraph clearance and U.S. citizenship.
• 8+ years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's, or 6+ years with a Master's.
• Experience in facility analysis, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and mechanical engineering in DoD/IC environments.
• MEP systems design, integration, and operation in complex facilities.
• Ability to identify HVAC equipment and estimate system size/capacity.
• Ability to use large datasets from multiple sources for analysis.
• Expertise in 3D modeling, engineering analysis, and simulation methodologies.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings and facility layouts.
• Ability to make sound judgments with incomplete information and communicate assumptions.

Responsibilities

• Reverse Engineering: characterize facility layouts and workflows in denied environments.
• Vulnerability Assessments: identify security weaknesses and bottlenecks.
• 3D Modeling & Simulation: build high-fidelity models and run simulations.
• Infrastructure Analysis: assess MEP integration and supporting systems.
• Technical Documentation: translate data into reports, CAD/BIM drawings, and simulations.
• Perform customer approved R&D projects solo or in teams.
• Serve as subject matter expert in technical domain.

Skills

MEP systems

3D modeling

Engineering analysis

Data interpretation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree with 8+ years

Master's degree with 6+ years

Tools

Autodesk Revit

VENTSIM

ETAP

Job description

Description

Leidos is seeking an experienced 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 engineering expertise 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 provide technical insights that support complex intelligence and defense initiatives.

This position requires a creative and analytical engineer who can develop sound technical assessments in situations where complete information is inherently unavailable. The ideal candidate combines strong problem-solving skills with engineering rigor, attention to detail, and a commitment to thorough analysis. You will work alongside an interdisciplinary team of government and contractor professionals in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment supporting high-priority national security objectives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Reverse Engineering: Dissect and characterize physical and functional attributes of facility layouts, building architecture, and workflows in denied access environments.

• Vulnerability Assessments: Evaluate facility and infrastructure designs for security vulnerabilities, single points of failure, and operational bottlenecks.

• 3D Modeling & Simulation: Build high-fidelity 3D models and conduct simulations to replicate facility workflows, operational efficiency, and structural/mechanical limitations.

• Infrastructure Analysis: Apply a strong, multidisciplinary engineering background to assess supporting facility systems, with a primary focus on Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) integration.

• Technical Documentation: Translate field data and intelligence into comprehensive engineering reports, CAD/BIM drawings, and simulation results for DoD stakeholders.

• Perform customer approved R&D projects individually or as part of a team

• Serves as a subject matter expert within technical domain area.

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.

• Demonstrated understanding of advanced engineering principles, theories, and concepts, and the ability to apply them across a broad range of technical programs and mission challenges.

• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with 6+ years of relevant experience. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

• Relevant experience includes facility analysis, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and mechanical engineering within commercial, Department of Defense, or Intelligence Community environments.

• MEP Systems Expertise: Strong multidisciplinary 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.

• Expertise in 3D modeling, engineering analysis, and physical simulation methodologies.

• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, facility layouts, blueprints, and intelligence-derived technical data.

• Demonstrated ability to make sound technical judgments with incomplete information while clearly communicating assumptions, uncertainties, and recommended paths forward.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five 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 mitigation or corrective action strategies.

#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

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.

Pay Range

Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.

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.