Senior Solid Propulsion Development Engineer - Hypersonics

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

Job summary

Leidos in Huntsville, AL seeks a Solid Propulsion Development Engineer to lead design, development, and testing of solid propulsion hardware for hypersonics and related programs. You will interface with multidisciplinary teams and suppliers to advance propulsion systems across civil and defense programs.

The role requires ABET-credited degree, 8+ years of rocket propulsion experience, and the ability to generate concise technical reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other STEM degree from an ABET accredited university.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in rocket propulsion development or test engineering roles, 6 years with a Master’s degree.
• Understanding of functional performance requirements as well as component designs for solid rocket motor applications.
• Experience in planning for and supporting ground testing of solid propulsion systems, including thermal characterization, environmental testing, and static firing.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct trade studies and develop analysis & evaluation tools.
• Knowledge of applicable standards and regulations, including manufacturing and testing policies and directives.
• Able to clearly write clear, concise, and comprehensive technical reports and present results to multi-disciplinary teams and customer stakeholders.
• Must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area.
• Active Secret security clearance required, with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance if needed.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead technical engineer for task focused on design and development of critical propulsion related hardware.
• Design, build, and test prototype solid rocket motor components.
• Understand and negotiate design elements with propulsion system suppliers.

Skills

Solid propulsion design

Ground testing planning

Trade studies

Technical reporting

Education

ABET-accredited STEM degree

Job description

Leidos is seeking a Solid Propulsion Development Engineer to lead and oversee work on a hypersonics vehicle and other programs, joining a diverse team that develops propulsion systems for spacecraft, missile systems, and a wide range of critical technologies for civil, military, and commercial space programs. This individual will work in a fast-paced, interdisciplinary team, interfacing with other project teams within Leidos as well as subcontractors to develop the solid propulsion system for a hypersonic vehicle.

Primary responsibilities:

• Serve as lead technical engineer for task focused on design and development of critical propulsion related hardware.
• Design, build, and test prototype solid rocket motor components.
• Understand and negotiate design elements with propulsion system suppliers.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other STEM degree from an ABET accredited university.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in rocket propulsion development or test engineering roles, 6 years with a Master’s degree.
• Understanding of functional performance requirements as well as component designs for solid rocket motor applications.
• Experience in planning for and supporting ground testing of solid propulsion systems, including thermal characterization, environmental testing, and static firing.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct trade studies and develop analysis & evaluation tools.
• Knowledge of applicable standards and regulations, including manufacturing and testing policies and directives.
• Able to clearly write clear, concise, and comprehensive technical reports and present results to multi-disciplinary teams and customer stakeholders.
• Must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area.
• Active Secret security clearance required, with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance if needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or similar from an ABET accredited university.
• Development testing experience in a rapid iteration environment.
• Experience with DoD, NASA, or other aerospace development projects.
• Experience working with government test agencies
• Experience with free-jet test testing, especially for solid-fuel ramjet (SFRJ) systems.
• Experience with missile systems in a production environment.
• Project planning and scheduling, including selection and management of multiple suppliers.
• Active Top Secret clearance.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. 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.

October 6, 2026

Pay Range:

Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

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.

• competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave and Retirement

More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

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.