Scaled Hypersonics Chief Engineer

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 154,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos' Defense Sector seeks a Scaled Hypersonics Chief Engineer to join our team in Huntsville, Alabama, designing the next generation of hypersonic vehicles to protect America and its allies. You will lead the technical execution of scaling existing designs to achieve manufacturing, supply-chain integration, cost, and schedule targets.

The Chief Engineer will be the technical authority across multiple product lines, ensuring design integrity, performance, and disciplined engineering execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent degree from an ABET-accredited university.
• 15+ years of applicable experience in design and/or analysis of mechanical systems.
• Mission-focused and ready to contribute to a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical team to design and deliver products on schedule and within budget.
• Serve as the program's technical lead for engineering execution, system performance, and requirements.
• Communicate progress, challenges, and opportunities to senior leadership and government stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Systems engineering

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (ABET-accredited)

Graduate degree (preferred)

Job description

Description

Leidos' Defense Sector is seeking a Scaled Hypersonics Chief Engineer to join our team in Huntsville Alabama designing the next generation of hypersonic vehicles to protect America and its allies. You will lead the technical execution of scaling existing hypersonic vehicle designs to achieve levels of manufacturing, supply-chain integration, cost, and schedule never before achieved. You will guide the program through development, test, production, and sustainment activities. The Chief Engineer will serve as the technical authority across multiple product lines and configurations, ensuring design integrity, technical performance, and disciplined engineering execution. This role requires a systems-minded leader with the ability to balance near-term production needs with long-term technology advancement. This is not your average engineering position. You will work on a team of the most talented engineers in the region who push you to be better everyday. This is a fast-paced program with unique technical challenges that will be a rewarding milestone in any engineering career.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead your technical team to design a product that conforms to requirements, on schedule, within budget.
• Serve as the program’s technical lead for engineering execution, system performance, and compliance with requirements across multiple product lifecycle stages.
• Communicate technical progress, challenges, and opportunities to senior leadership and government stakeholders.
• Provide technical direction and oversight to subsystem leads, IPTs, and specialty engineering disciplines to ensure design maturity, integration, and risk mitigation.
• Mentor and develop technical staff, fostering a culture of innovation, rigor, and collaboration across the engineering organization.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent degree from an ABET-accredited university
• 15+ years of applicable experience in design and/or analysis of mechanical systems
• Mission-focused. Ready to contribute to a high-performing team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Candidates with experience leading large multi-disciplinary engineering design teams will be preferred.
• Candidates with graduate degrees will be preferred.

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 $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

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, www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and 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.