Senior Applied Aerodynamics Engineer

00180 Dynetics, Inc; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Senior Applied Aerodynamics Engineer for our Huntsville, AL campus. You will lead aerodynamic design studies, assessments, and testing, guiding a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-fidelity characterizations for flight vehicles.

The position requires an ABET-accredited aerospace degree with extensive experience or an MS with senior expertise, strong Python/MATLAB analytics, and DoW security eligibility. On-site work in North Alabama is required.

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace or ABET-accredited; 12+ years in applied aerodynamics, or MS with 10+ years.
• Expertise applying analytical and semi-empirical aerodynamic methods to flight-vehicle design.
• Experience leading aerodynamic studies and flight-performance evaluations with design recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage aerodynamic design trade studies, performance assessments, testing activities, and development of high-fidelity aerodynamic characterizations for flight vehicles.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Team collaboration

Education

ABET-accredited B.S. in Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering

MS in Aerospace (preferred)

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Data visualization

Job description

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 Sector – Kinetic Effects Business Area, has an opportunity for a Senior Applied Aerodynamics Engineer to work at our Huntsville, AL campus leading design and analysis of missile and aviation systems. Leidos Defense 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.

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsibilities include leading and managing technical personnel of aerodynamic design trade studies, performance assessments, testing activities, and the development of high‑fidelity aerodynamic characterizations for flight vehicles.

Basic Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering from an ABET‑accredited program and 12+ years of relevant industry experience in applied aerodynamics, or a master’s degree in Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering and 10+ years of relevant industry experience in applied aerodynamics.
• Demonstrated expertise applying analytical and semi‑empirical aerodynamic prediction methods to flight‑vehicle design and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading aerodynamic design studies, aerodynamic characterizations, and flight‑performance evaluations, including interpreting results and recommending design decisions.
• Demonstrated proficiency developing and applying Python or MATLAB tools for engineering analysis, data processing, and visualization.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including experience presenting technical approaches, findings, and recommendations to leadership and customers.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership, mentor engineers, and collaborate constructively within a multidisciplinary design team.
• U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of War (DoW) security clearance.
• Ability to work on‑site at the Huntsville, Alabama, campus.
• Candidates must reside in the North Alabama area or be willing to relocate.

Preferred Qualifications

• An MS degree in Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering and 10+ years of applied aerodynamics industry experience.
• Extensive experience applying industry‑standard aerodynamic prediction tools and methods to missile, guided‑weapon, aviation, or other flight‑vehicle applications.
• Experience leading wind‑tunnel tests, including test planning, test‑matrix development, execution, data reduction, data‑quality assessment, correlation, and reporting.
• Experience generating, processing, and applying CFD data to aerodynamic design, trade studies, performance assessments, or aerodynamic model and database development.
• Experience integrating and correlating analytical or semi‑empirical predictions, CFD, wind‑tunnel data, and flight‑test data.
• Experience characterizing aerodynamic sensitivities, uncertainties, and model limitations across relevant flight regimes and configuration spaces.
• An active DoW security clearance.

Original Posting: November 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 $131,300.00 - $237,350.00 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.

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 $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026.

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.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

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.