Materials Test Engineer

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

Job summary

Leidos Defense Systems in Huntsville, AL seeks a Materials and Process Engineer to support the Advanced Materials Department. You will conduct mechanical testing, support composites R&D, and guide cross-disciplinary teams.

The role requires an ABET-accredited degree in Materials, Mechanical or Aerospace, 4+ years experience (MS 2+), strong communication, and readiness to work on-site in North Alabama; US citizenship and DOD Secret Clearance preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering from ABET-accredited institution with 4+ years experience (or MS with 2+ years).
• Strong verbal and written communication 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.
• Familiarity with ASTM or MIL-STD testing standards.
• Self-motivated and able to function effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• US Citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a DOD Secret Clearance.
• Resident of North Alabama or willing to relocate to Huntsville, AL on-site.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mechanical testing of materials and test articles from specimen to full scale to support multiple test programs.
• Support composites R&D, thermal protection systems, and hypersonics programs.
• Guide multi-disciplinary teams to ensure research meets program objectives and schedules.
• Direct testing and reporting efforts for material test programs.
• Investigate anomalous test outcomes and provide recommended resolutions to the team.
• Serve as liaison between program, technical teams, and external teams.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

Mechanical testing

Composites

Test plan development

ASTM/MIL-STD knowledge

Self-motivated

US Citizen

DOD Secret Clearance

Education

ABET-accredited Materials/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering degree

MS in related field (2+ years experience)

Job description

Description

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

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.

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.