Materials Test Engineer

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos’ Defense Systems in Huntsville, AL, is seeking a Materials and Process Engineer to support the Advanced Materials Department. You will contribute to materials engineering tasks across R&D, prototype development, and manufacturing support to strengthen program outcomes.

The role demands hands-on testing of engineering materials, collaboration across cross-functional teams, and a readiness to operate in a fast-paced defense environment. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's/ABET-accredited deg in Materials, Mechanical or Aerospace Eng with 4+ years exp, or MS with 2+ years
• Strong verbal and written skills
• Experience communicating to cross-disciplinary teams/customers
• Experience with mechanical testing using load frames and related equipment
• Experience with composites and aerospace materials
• Experience developing test plans and documenting test results
• Familiar with ASTM or MIL-STD testing standards
• US citizen able to obtain/maintain DOD Secret Clearance
• Resident of North Alabama or willing to relocate to Huntsville on-site

Responsibilities

• Balance multiple activities within the Advanced Materials Department.
• Conduct mechanical testing from specimen to full scale for multiple test programs.
• Support programs in composites R&D, thermal protection systems, and hypersonics.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams to meet program objectives and schedule.
• Direct testing and reporting for material test programs.
• Investigate anomalous test outcomes and propose resolutions.
• Serve as liaison among program, technical, and exterior teams

Skills

Strong verbal and written skills

Cross-disciplinary communication

Mechanical testing experience

Composites and aerospace materials

Test plans/documentation

ASTM/MIL-STD familiarity

Fast-paced environment

US citizenship and DOD Secret Clear.

North Alabama relocation to Huntsville

Education

ABET-accredited Materials/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering degree (B.S. or M.S.)

Tools

Tensile testing machines

DAQ instrumentation

MTS TestWorks Elite

Job description

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

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 is seeking a passionate, detail-oriented problem-solver to serve as a Materials and Process Engineer to support the Advanced Materials Department. 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 Materials Department is a multi-disciplinary team that provides materials engineering expertise for every phase of a program. With backgrounds in materials science, chemistry/chemical engineering, physics, among others, the department has experience in executing a variety of efforts from R&D, to prototype development, to supporting design and build tasks for manufacturing. Beyond subject matter expertise, the department has the analysis equipment, multi-physics modelling capability and experimental lab space to support activities ranging from proof-of-concept experimentation to manufacturing support.

Primary Responsibilities.

• As an integral member of the Advanced Materials Department, this position will balance multiple activities including but not limited to:
• Conduct mechanical testing of materials and test articles (test specimen to full scale) to support multiple test programs
• Support multiple Leidos programs in the area of composites R&D, thermal protection systems, and hypersonics
• Assist in guiding the research of multi-disciplinary teams across multiple organizations to ensure research activity successfully meets program objectives and remains on schedule. Research areas include mechanical testing, manufacturing, composite repair, and bonding of dissimilar materials.
• Direct testing and reporting efforts for material test programs
• Investigate anomalous test outcomes and provide recommended problem resolution to the program team
• Serve as a liaison between the program team, the technical team, and other exterior teams

Basic Qualifications.

• Bachelor's Degree in Materials, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent from an ABET accredited institution with at least 4 years of experience (or M.S. with 2+ years)
• Strong verbal and written skills
• Experience communicating to cross-disciplinary teams and/or customers
• Experience with mechanical testing of engineering materials using load frames (tensile tester, universal testing machine, etc) and similar equipment
• Experience with composites and other aerospace materials
• Experience developing test plans / work instructions and documenting test results
• Familiarly with ASTM or MIL-STD testing standards
• Candidate must be self-motivated and be capable of functioning effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Candidate must be a US Citizen and possess (and be able to maintain) a DOD Secret Clearance or meet the eligibility to obtain (and maintain) a DOD Secret Clearance
• Must be a resident of North Alabama area or willing to relocate in order to work on-site at the Huntsville, AL office

Preferred Qualifications.

• Active DOD Secret Clearance
• Experience with instrumentation and data acquisition systems (DAQ)
• Familiarly with MTS TestWorks Elite
• Strong organization skills
• Project Management skills

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 4, 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 $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

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. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

• Competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement.

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.