Senior Mechanical Engineer

Via Logic LLC; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 131,300 - 237,350; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer in Reston, Virginia. This position supports national security missions and focuses on the assessment of complex facilities in denied-access environments.

The ideal candidate should have a strong engineering background, with expertise in facility analysis and mechanical systems, as well as a genuine ability to make sound assessments based on limited information. A bachelor's degree along with significant relevant experience is required.

The job offers a competitive pay range of $131,300 - $237,350, reflecting the candidate's experience and expertise.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of relevant experience in Mechanical Engineering.
• Expertise in facility vulnerability assessments.
• Proven ability to interpret engineering drawings.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and characterize facility designs.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments on infrastructure.
• Develop high-fidelity 3D models for simulations.

Skills

Engineering principles

3D modeling

Mechanical systems

Education

Bachelor's degree with 12+ years experience

Master's degree with 10+ years experience

Tools

Autodesk Revit

VENTSIM

ETAP

Job description

Leidos is seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to support critical national security missions in Reston, Virginia. This role focuses on the assessment, reverse engineering, and characterization of complex above-ground and subterranean facilities located in denied-access environments.

The successful candidate will leverage strong engineering expertise to analyze facility designs, spatial layouts, operational workflows, and supporting infrastructure to determine functional capabilities and mission relevance. You will evaluate facility systems, model critical infrastructure, identify vulnerabilities, and provide technical insights that support complex intelligence and defense initiatives.

This position requires an innovative engineer who can develop sound technical assessments in situations where complete information is inherently unavailable. The ideal candidate combines creativity, analytical rigor, and exceptional attention to detail with the ability to make informed decisions based on incomplete data. You will work alongside an interdisciplinary team of government and contractor professionals in a fast‑paced, mission‑focused environment while serving as a subject matter expert within your technical discipline.

Primary Responsibilities

• Reverse Engineering & Facility Characterization – Analyze and characterize the physical and functional attributes of facility layouts, building architecture, and operational workflows within denied-access environments to determine facility purpose, capability, and operational capacity.
• Vulnerability Assessments – Evaluate facility and infrastructure designs to identify security vulnerabilities, single points of failure, operational bottlenecks, and potential mission impacts.
• 3D Modeling & Simulation – Develop high‑fidelity 3D models and conduct engineering simulations to replicate facility operations, workflow efficiencies, and structural or mechanical limitations.
• Infrastructure Analysis – Apply multidisciplinary engineering expertise to assess supporting facility systems, with a primary focus on Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) integration and functionality.
• Technical Documentation & Reporting – Translate field‑collected data, intelligence information, and engineering assessments into comprehensive technical reports, CAD/BIM products, and simulation‑based analyses for Department of Defense stakeholders.
• Research & Development – Support customer‑approved research and development initiatives independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team to advance analytical methodologies, modeling capabilities, and mission solutions.
• Subject Matter Expertise – Serve as a subject matter expert within your technical domain, providing engineering insight and technical guidance to support mission requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Active and in‑scope TS/SCI clearance required and willingness to obtain a polygraph. Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Demonstrated understanding of engineering principles, theories, and concepts and their application across a broad range of technical programs and mission challenges.
• Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Relevant experience includes facility analysis, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and mechanical engineering within commercial, Department of Defense, or Intelligence Community environments.
• MEP Systems Expertise: Strong multidisciplinary understanding of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) system design, integration, and operational functionality within complex industrial or military facilities, including specialized containment systems, filtration systems, and backup power infrastructure.
• Ability to identify industrial HVAC equipment, estimate system size and capacity, and assess operational capabilities through visual analysis.
• Ability to evaluate, organize, and utilize large datasets from diverse sources, including field‑collected data, equipment technical manuals, and existing facility models.
• Expertise in 3D modeling, engineering analysis, and physical simulation methodologies.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, facility layouts, blueprints, and intelligence‑derived technical data.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound technical judgments with incomplete information while clearly communicating assumptions, uncertainties, and recommended paths forward.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of field experience working with industrial HVAC systems, including air‑cooled and water‑cooled chillers, condensers, cooling towers, air handlers, heat exchangers, boilers, and related equipment.
• Working knowledge of air management systems supporting critical environments, including medical laboratories, clean rooms, chemical laboratories, and similar specialized facilities.
• Hands‑on experience with advanced Building Information Modeling (BIM) and engineering simulation tools, including Autodesk Revit, VENTSIM, ETAP, and other industry‑standard CAD and modeling platforms.
• Experience supporting forensic engineering investigations, industrial accident analyses, or Department of Defense facility vulnerability studies.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license and/or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience identifying mechanical system vulnerabilities and developing effective mitigation or corrective action strategies.

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 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.

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.