Mechanical Engineer

Leidos; Lynnwood (WA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support the design, build, and test of systems for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) within the Maritime System Solutions portfolio. Join a team delivering advanced, subsea technologies for Navy customers and related defense programs.

The role involves designing mechanical subsystems, performing analyses, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating across disciplines to ensure mission-ready hardware and test results in lab and at sea.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or closely related field; 4–8 years of experience, or MS with 2–6 years of experience.
• Ability to obtain Secret clearance or higher.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; proactive troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze mechanical systems for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), including propulsion, structure, and payloads.
• Mentor and lead junior mechanical engineers.
• Create 3D models and detailed drawings in SolidWorks; maintain models in PDM Pro.
• Conduct structural, vibration, thermal, hydrodynamic analyses using hand calculations and SolidWorks, ANSYS, COMSOL.
• Present designs and justify engineering decisions during reviews with internal and external customers.
• Collaborate with electrical, software, manufacturing, and systems engineering teams to meet requirements.
• Assist with prototype build and testing in lab and at sea.

Skills

SolidWorks

ANSYS

COMSOL

PDM Pro

3D Modeling

ASME Y14.5

FEA/CFD

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

SolidWorks PDM Pro

ANSYS

COMSOL

Job description

Description

Leidos is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support cutting‑edge engineering efforts within the Maritime System Solutions (MSS) Portfolio of our Maritime Systems Division (MSD). This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to help us serve our Navy customers in the design, build, and test of systems related to Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs).

Leidos’ Maritime Systems Division is a recognized leader in C4ISR technologies, delivering innovative, mission‑critical solutions across sensor networks, unmanned systems, and tactical platforms. We’re known for achieving “industry firsts” in the most challenging maritime domains.

Join us and be part of a world‑class team delivering unmatched solutions for today’s most pressing maritime missions.

Why Join Us?

• Make an Impact: Your work will directly support U.S. maritime dominance and national security.


• Lead Innovation: Be at the forefront of applying innovative technology and autonomy to real‑world maritime systems.


• Work with Experts: Collaborate with a top‑tier team of engineers, scientists, and technicians located across the U.S.


• Shape the Future: Influence both the strategic and tactical direction of next‑generation subsea technologies.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct design and analysis of mechanical systems related to Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), including vehicle elements (propulsion, dynamic control, structure, electronics), mission payloads, and launch & recovery systems.


• Work with junior mechanical engineers to provide mentorship and leadership.


• Create 3D models of mechanical systems using Solidworks software to describe conceptual designs and fully detail critical designs. Create mechanical drawings per ASME Y14.100. Maintain models and drawings in Solidworks Product Data Management (PDM) Pro tool.


• Perform structural, vibration, shock, thermal, and hydrodynamic analysis of conceptual and detailed designs using hand calculations and analysis software such as Solidworks, ANSYS and COMSOL.


• Present mechanical designs and justify engineering decisions during engineering reviews both internally within the company and with external customers.


• Collaborate with colleagues across other engineering disciplines (electrical engineers, software developers, manufacturing, and systems engineers) to help ensure complex systems meet customer requirements.


• Work with manufacturing and test & evaluation teams to build prototype systems and conduct testing in the lab and out at sea.

What You Bring

• B.S. degree in mechanical engineering or closely related field and 4 – 8 years of prior relevant experience or M.S. degree in mechanical engineering or closely related field and 2 – 6 years of prior relevant experience.


• Able to obtain Secret clearance or higher


• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.


• Ability to plan, prioritize and organize work.


• Strong, effective, and professional communication (written/verbal) and interpersonal skills.


• Ability to take initiative in troubleshooting mechanical issues; creative in determining approach or action to take in non‑routine situations.


• Demonstrated experience with Solidworks and Solidworks Product Data Management (PDM) Pro.


• Experienced in creating drawings to ASME standards, including applying Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing per ASME Y14.5.


• Demonstrated experience performing analysis of mechanical systems (thermal, structural, and hydrodynamic) using hand calculations and commercial FEA/CFD software packages (Solidworks, Ansys, Comsol)


• Background designing, building, and testing prototype and limited production hardware systems.


• Ability to lift heavy objects, climb ladders, and work in enclosed spaces.

Preferred Experience:

• Maritime systems and/or ocean engineering experience greatly preferred.


• Prior experience with unmanned underwater vehicles, operating and control systems and associated electronics/sensors, launch and recovery subsystems, and system‑to‑host interfaces, including acoustic ranging and communications.


• Experience working with manual machine tools (mill & lathe) and fabrication equipment (saws, grinders, welders).


• Experience with additive manufacturing processes (3D printing)


• Familiarity working as part of an Integrated Product Team (IPT) on DOD programs of record.


• Knowledge of subsea acoustic systems (projectors & hydrophones).


• Experience designing for tight‑tolerance optical systems.


• Knowledge of corrosion processes and designing systems to operate long‑term in corrosive environments.


• Fiber optic telemetry experience.

SUBSEAMSS

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.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

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