Senior Materials and Process Engineer

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

Job summary

Leidos in Huntsville seeks a Senior Materials & Processes Engineer to coordinate materials testing, selection, and RCCA activities across defense programs. You will mentor staff, translate program needs into actionable tasks, and support bid efforts with technical insights, working in an on-site setting.

The role requires an ABET-accredited degree with extensive M&P experience, U.S. citizenship, and ability to obtain DoD clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering or related physical sciences from an ABET-accredited institution with 8+ years of experience, or Master’s with 6+ years, or PhD with 4+ years.
• Strong background in materials processes and/or materials selection.
• Experience managing M&P and materials testing activities supporting aerospace/defense projects.
• Able to communicate status, risks and delays proactively, and translate technical needs into tasks.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a DoD Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Interface with program teams to understand materials engineering needs and coordinate testing and characterization.
• Identify new materials needs and help build repeatable processes for a Defense M&P center.
• Support materials selection, metallurgy, fabrication, composites, RCCA investigations, PM&P plans, and qualification activities.
• Mentor junior staff on testing techniques and data presentations.
• Provide M&P insights for bid and proposal activities.
• Investigate non-conformances and propose solutions to program management.
• Liaise between division and customers to meet program goals and objectives.
• Manage materials characterization and mechanical tests, including test planning and procedures.
• Coordinate with procurement and suppliers to mitigate non-conformances.
• Resolve non-conformances to protect schedule and cost.
• Support supplier evaluations with technical risk analysis.

Skills

Materials engineering knowledge

Materials processes

Program coordination

Communication skills

US citizenship

Security clearance

Education

ABET-accredited degree

Job 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 sustainable. 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! We are in search of a motivated, organized, and adaptable Senior Materials & Processes (M&P) Engineer to join the Advanced Materials & Test Division in Huntsville. As a core member of the team, you will serve as the point of contact between multiple production programs and our materials testing and engineering capabilities. Utilizing your past materials experience you will learn what each program needs, manage expectations and tasks, and coordinate with the Advanced Materials testing team to get the required work done on schedule. A successful candidate will manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and communicate clearly with both program teams and technical staff. This role will be an in-office position.

As a M&P engineer working as a program coordinator, you will help streamline our efforts as we grow into a Materials & Processes (M&P) center for the Defense sector. If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading! 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.

Primary Responsibilities

• Interface with program teams to understand their materials engineering needs, translate those needs into clear tasks and requirements, and coordinate with the Advanced Materials & Test Division to plan, schedule, and complete materials testing and characterization
• Identify new production program materials engineering needs and contribute to building repeatable processes that support the division's growth as a Defense M&P center
• Support multiple Leidos programs in the areas of material selection, metallurgy and fabrication, composites, ceramics, process improvement opportunities, root cause and corrective action (RCCA) investigations, Parts, Materials, & Processes (PM&P) Plans, and qualification activities
• Serve as a mentor to junior staff on testing techniques and reviewing data presentations prior to reaching customers
• Provide M&P technical insights for bid and proposal activities across the organization
• Investigate materials and process non-conformance issues and provide recommended problem resolutions to program management teams
• Serve as a liaison between the Advanced Materials & Test Division and both internal and external customers to ensure all material and process selections, process improvements, and RCCA activities meet program goals and objectives
• Manage a variety of materials characterization and mechanical tests, including test planning, writing and editing procedures, and coordinating with customers to ensure tests and investigations meet project objectives
• Coordinate with procurement management and subcontracted suppliers to mitigate non-conformances before they occur
• Efficiently resolve non-conformances to limit the impact to program schedule and cost
• Provide technical expertise during new supplier evaluations to aid in supplier risk analysis

Basic Qualifications

• Candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent), or one of the Physical Sciences from an ABET accredited institution with 8+ years or Master’s Degree with 6+ years applicable experience or PhD in technical domain with 4+ years applicable experience
• Candidate must have a strong technical background in materials processes and/or materials selection.
• Experience managing and executing M&P and materials testing activity directly supporting projects or programs (aerospace or defense preferred).
• Ability to manage expectations and communicate status, risks, and delays proactively.
• Ability to understand technical needs and translate them into clear actionable tasks.
• Must be a resident of North Alabama area or willing to relocate in order to work on-site at the Huntsville, AL office.
• Candidate must be a US Citizen and possess (and be able to maintain) a DOD Secret Clearance or meet the eligibility to obtain (and maintain) a DOD Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with aerospace or defense systems and materials.
• Experience working in manufacturing or production environment and/or frequently interfacing with Manufacturing.
• Experience with process / procedural controls and quality systems.
• Project and/or Task Management skills.
• Experience assembling and providing technical briefings and clear guidance to non-technical audiences.
• Familiarity with AMS, ASTM, NASA, MIL-STD, ISO 9001/AS 9100, ISO 17025, and/or other industry specifications.
• Experience with non-metallic, engineered materials, such as polymer- or ceramic-matrix composites, polymers and sealing system, and/or high-temperature ceramics.

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.

Original Posting: November 5, 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 $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

Pay and Benefits

• Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement.
• More details are available here.

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.

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.