Mechanical Engineering Section Manager

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

Job summary

Leidos’ Defense Systems in Huntsville, AL seeks a Mechanical Engineering Section Manager to lead the Mechanical Design & Analysis team. The role is primarily technical (≈90%) with direct line management duties (≈10%), focusing on performance, development, and mission success.

You will mentor engineers, plan objectives, and coordinate staffing with the Branch Manager, interfacing across the enterprise to allocate work, optimize resources, and maintain high engineering standards in a DoD

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited engineering degree with 4+ years of relevant experience, or MS in engineering with 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Balance technical responsibilities (~90%) with direct line management (~10%).
• Experience in design, analysis, integration, manufacturing, or testing of mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with CAD tools such as Creo, CATIA, AutoCAD, or SolidWorks.
• Experience working within Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) environments.
• Understanding of cost and schedule impacts associated with engineering deliverables.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Self-starter with initiative and commitment to development.
• Interest in mentoring, coaching, and team development.
• Ability to establish clear expectations and hold colleagues accountable.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Must be a current Leidos employee or willing to transfer to the Mechanical Design & Analysis Department.
• Must possess an active DoD Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of engineers, including one-on-one meetings, performance feedback, and career development discussions.
• Plan and coordinate team objectives in alignment with program and organizational goals.
• Identify and remove barriers to maintain productivity and mission focus.
• Support staffing activities, including interviewing and onboarding new engineers.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and mission execution.
• Build relationships with program and functional leadership to align assignments with employee strengths.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Mentoring

Education

ABET-accredited BS in engineering

ABET-accredited MS in engineering

Tools

Creo

CATIA

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

PLM

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 sustainably. 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 talented Mechanical Engineering Section Manager to join our Mechanical Design & Analysis team based in Huntsville, AL.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and supporting the organizational needs of approximately 3–8 employees. The Section Manager will coordinate with the Branch Manager on personnel coverage, staffing needs, and administrative matters on a regular basis or as required. The Section Manager will interface with organizations across the enterprise to coordinate work assignments and ensure appropriate utilization of section employees. The Section Manager will conduct bi-annual performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching, guidance, and feedback to direct reports throughout the year. The Section Manager will also perform other leadership responsibilities as directed by the Branch Manager and other organizational leaders.

This position is primarily a technical engineering function (approximately 90 percent) with direct line management responsibilities (approximately 10 percent). However, demonstrated leadership capability and commitment to employee development will be the primary criteria for selection. The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate a servant leadership approach by prioritizing the development, engagement, and success of their employees while balancing program and organizational objectives.

Primary Responsibilities.

• Lead and support a team of engineers, including conducting one-on-one meetings, providing performance feedback, and facilitating career development discussions.
• Plan and coordinate team objectives in alignment with program and organizational goals.
• Identify and remove barriers to maintain productivity and mission focus.
• Support staffing activities, including interviewing and onboarding new engineers.
• Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and mission execution.
• Build relationships with program and functional leadership to identify assignments and development opportunities that align employee strengths with organizational needs.

Basic Qualifications.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited institution with 4+ years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree in engineering with 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Ability to balance technical engineering responsibilities (~90% of time) with direct line management responsibilities (~10% of time).
• Experience in the design, analysis, integration, manufacturing, or testing of mechanical systems.
• Familiarity with CAD tools such as Creo, CATIA, AutoCAD, or SolidWorks.
• Experience working within Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) environments.
• Understanding of cost and schedule impacts associated with engineering deliverables.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Self-starter who demonstrates initiative and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Demonstrated interest in mentoring, coaching, and team development.
• Ability to establish clear expectations, take ownership of team commitments, and hold team members accountable for results.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Must be a current employee within or willing to transfer into the Mechanical Design & Analysis Department.
• Must possess an active DoD Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications.

• At least 1 year of experience as a Leidos employee.
• Prior experience with direct reports or formal people management responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring and developing engineers.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with others, build relationships, and foster trust within a team.
• Ability to identify and leverage individual employee strengths to support team performance and professional development.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to clearly communicate priorities, expectations, and status to employees and organizational leadership.
• Experience working within the Mechanical Design & Analysis Department.
• Experience supporting rapid development, prototyping, or fast-paced engineering programs.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-31000 Technical Data Package (TDP) development and management.

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 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.