Solid Rocket Propulsion SME

Leidos LLC; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 139,000 - 251,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Senior Solid Rocket Propulsion SME to work on-site at a customer location in Northern Virginia. The role involves analysis, mentorship, and collaboration with government personnel on ballistic missile propulsion topics and related satellite/C4ISR aspects.

The ideal candidate has 12+ years in solid propellants, with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, and a security clearance. On-site duties and leadership of junior staff are expected components of the position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with 15+ years experience or Master’s with 13+ years.
• 12+ years related to solid rocket propellants.
• Secret clearance (higher preferred) with ability to obtain TS/SCI with polygraph.
• Must have a valid US passport.

Responsibilities

• Conduct analyses on solid propulsion components of ballistic missile systems.
• Interact with government personnel at all levels on a daily basis.
• Teach courses on solid propellant fundamentals, modeling, and manufacturing requirements.
• Familiarity with propellant formulations and motor performance modeling.
• Mentor junior colleagues and contribute to team development.

Skills

Solid propellant propulsion

Rocket motor analysis

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a Science/Engineering field

Master’s Degree (preferred)

Job description

LEIDOS currently has an opening for a Senior Solid Rocket Propulsion SME working on-site at a customer location in Northern Virginia. This position is part of a team of Subject Matter Experts providing analytic expertise in the area of launch vehicle and missile analyses, satellite technology and C4ISR. The ideal candidate would have industrial experience the design, development, testing and deployment of solid propellant rocket motors.

Primary Responsibilities

• Successful candidates will demonstrate proficiency in all aspects of solid propellant rocket motors.
• Must will work well in team environments and will be capable of operating independently with minimal supervision.
• Candidates will be expected to effectively interact with customer personnel at all levels within the customer organization on a daily basis.
• Conduct analyses on solid propulsion components of ballistic missile systems to assess capabilities.
• Advise and support government customer’s analyses on materials, equipment, and infrastructure associated with ballistic missile proliferation and production.
• Must have the ability to teach courses on solid propellant rocket fundamentals, modeling, and manufacturing requirements.
• Familiarity with propellant formulations, modeling formulations, and modeling motor performance.
• Experience with solid propellant rocket engine manufacturing methods, tooling, procedures, and testing.
• Must be willing to work with junior colleagues to mentor them.

Basic Qualifications

• The position requires a Bachelor’s Degree and 15+ years of experience or a Master’s Degree and 13+ years experience.
• At least 12+ years related to solid rocket propellants is required.
• Must possess at least a Secret security clearance (higher preferred) and have the ability to be able to obtain a TS/SCI with polygraph clearance.
• Must have a valid US passport.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of foreign solid propellant motor technology
• Propellant experience with military systems
• An advanced degree is preferred; background in Organic Chemistry a plus.
• Preferred current TS/SCI with polygraph clearance.
• 15-20 years of experience a plus.

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.

Original Posting: September 10, 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 $139,100.00 - $251,450.00 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.
• More details are available here.

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.