Section Manager - Assembly Integration and Test

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense Systems is seeking a highly skilled Section Manager for Assembly, Integration, and Test to lead a section of AI&T engineers responsible for hypersonic vehicle assembly, integration, and testing. You will drive technical direction, ensure manufacturability, and coordinate cross-functional teams to meet schedule and budget while upholding safety and regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate has 12–15 years (or 10–13 years with a Master’s) of AI&T experience on hypersonic or

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or closely related discipline with 12–15 years of experience (or Master’s with 10–13 years).
• Demonstrated experience on multidisciplinary engineering teams performing AI&T of hypersonic vehicles or comparable aerospace vehicles.
• Practical knowledge of hypersonic vehicle assembly, integration and test; familiarity with producibility and manufacturing acceptance criteria.
• Proven ability to plan and run verification/validation campaigns and coordinate acceptance testing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present complex technical information to diverse stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, decision-making, conflict resolution, and stakeholder management skills.
• US Citizen capable of obtaining and maintaining a final secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a Section of Metrology and AI&T engineers to deliver hypersonic vehicles per Technical Data Package requirements within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Oversee the assembly, integration, and testing of hypersonic vehicles, ensuring all systems meet design and performance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with system requirements, ICDs, safety policies, and applicable aerospace standards and regulations.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and quality to ensure producibility, maintain schedule commitments, and resolve nonconformances and build issues.
• Guide test planning and execution for environmental, structural, and functional verification of hypersonic vehicle components and assemblies.
• Interface with program management, customers, and cross-program IPTs to align priorities and report technical status.
• Manage technical risks through mitigation plans, verification of risk closure, and adjustment of schedule/requirements as applicable.
• Maintain program-level documentation, configuration control, and technical data.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Cross-functional coordination

Communication

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering

Master's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering

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 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 Section Manager for Assembly, Integration, and Test to join our team supporting the multiple hypersonics programs as part of the Advanced Materials and Test Division.

Leidos Defense Systems Sector

Provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions.

Leidos, is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Section Manager for Assembly Integration and Test (AI&T) to support the nation's leading Hypersonic Production Program. This position is within the Leidos Defense Systems Advanced Materials and Test Division. 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 Section Manager will lead a section of AI&T engineers to integrate, test, and field hypersonic vehicles. The Section Manager is accountable for technical direction, schedule adherence, cross functional coordination, and ensuring manufacturability and testability through the assembly, integration, and testing cycle. The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience with hypersonic vehicle (or comparable aerospace vehicles) assembly and integration, familiarity with associated metrology (e.g blue light scanning), dynamic testing, environmental testing, and mass properties testing. This role requires expertise in assembly and checkout, manufacturing processes, and the ability to develop and implement inspection workflows and integration processes for complex aerospace assemblies.

• Primary Responsibilities.
• Lead and mentor a Section of Metrology and AI&T engineers to deliver hypersonic vehicles per Technical Data Package requirements within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Oversee the assembly, integration, and testing of hypersonic vehicles, ensuring all systems meet design and performance requirements. Key concepts include process improvement, assembly, integration, test design, test planning, test execution, and leading cross-functional teams to drive project success
• Ensure compliance with system requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), safety policies, and applicable aerospace standards and regulations
• Collaborate with manufacturing and quality to ensure producibility, maintain schedule commitments, and resolve nonconformances and build issues
• Guide test planning and execution for environmental, structural, and functional verification of hypersonic vehicle components and assemblies
• Manage technical risks through mitigation plans, verification of risk closure, and adjustment of schedule/requirements as applicable
• Maintain program-level documentation, configuration control, and technical data
• Interface with program management, customers, and cross-program IPTs to align priorities and report technical status
• undefined
• Basic Qualifications.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related discipline and 12 – 15 years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 10 – 13 years of prior relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience on multidisciplinary engineering teams performing AI&T of hypersonic vehicles or comparable aerospace vehicles
• Practical knowledge of hypersonic vehicle (or comparable aerospace vehicle) assembly, integration and test
• Familiarity with producibility, fabrication processes, inspection, and manufacturing acceptance criteria
• Proven ability to plan and run verification/validation campaigns and to coordinate acceptance testing
• Familiarity with packaging, transport, and handling requirements for missile hardware
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present complex technical information to diverse stakeholders
• Strong leadership, decision‑making, conflict resolution, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience working with government/defense customers and knowledge of program lifecycle and contractual considerations
• Candidate must be a US Citizen and be able to obtain and maintain a final secret clearance.
• Preferred Qualifications.
• Master’s or PhD in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering
• Prior experience specifically on glide bodies, reentry vehicles, or guided munitions
• Familiarity with relevant standards (e.g., MIL STD, SAE, ASTM)
• Experience working prototype programs within an AS9100 production environment
• Secret Cleared

Original Posting

October 29, 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 $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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. 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.