Senior Flight Dynamics Engineer

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense Systems Advanced Development Organization seeks a Flight Dynamicist to join our team to create models and simulations for missiles, hypersonic and space vehicles. You will perform trajectory design, optimization, and multi-disciplinary analyses across a broad flight envelope, interfacing with propulsion, aerodynamics, and software teams.

The role emphasizes GNC algorithm development, high-fidelity digital engineering, and support for test planning and assessments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited institution.
• 8–10 years of experience in flight dynamics, trajectory analysis, mission design, guidance and control, or related aerospace disciplines.
• Experience developing and analyzing 3DOF and 6DOF vehicle simulations.
• Strong knowledge of flight mechanics, orbital mechanics, trajectory optimization, and vehicle performance.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink, Python, STK, GMAT, FORTRAN, C/C++.
• Experience performing multidisciplinary trade studies and translating results into system-level design.
• Active Secret security clearance (ability to obtain higher).

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze 3DOF and 6DOF flight dynamics models across full flight envelope.
• Design trajectory optimization for hypersonic and space systems.
• Develop and validate guidance, navigation, and control algorithms including autopilot logic.
• Create high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models for concept development.
• Aerodynamic, propulsion, mass properties, and environmental analyses to identify design drivers.
• Flight mechanics analyses including separation dynamics and reentry as applicable.
• Integrate mission-level models within modeling and simulation frameworks.
• Support flight test planning, pre/post-flight analyses, and data interpretation.
• Collaborate across disciplines to translate requirements into executable designs.
• Support proposals and design reviews with stakeholders.

Skills

Flight dynamics

Trajectory analysis

Mission design

Guidance and control

Modeling and simulation

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

STK

GMAT

FORTRAN

C/C++

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related engineering discipline, ABET-accredited

Master's Degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related discipline

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

STK

GMAT

FORTRAN

C/C++

Job description

Leidos Defense Systems Advanced Development Organization seeks a Flight Dynamicist to join our team to create models and simulations for missiles, hypersonic and space vehicles. You will perform trajectory design, optimization, and multi-disciplinary analyses across a broad flight envelope, interfacing with propulsion, aerodynamics, and software teams.

The role emphasizes GNC algorithm development, high-fidelity digital engineering, and support for test planning and assessments.