Lead Propulsion Engineer

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!

Leidos is actively seeking a passionate, detailed-oriented problem-solver to serve as a Lead Propulsion Engineer in support of the Hypersonics Division. . As a Hypersonics Lead Propulsion Engineer, you will serve as a Subject Matter Expert and lead a team of Propulsion engineers in tasks related to development of overall systems including analytic expertise in launch vehicle, missile analyses with industrial experience in the design, development, testing and deployment of solid propellant rocket motors (SRM), Liquid Engines (LE), and Air Breathers (AB) propulsion systems. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions. To explore and learn more, click here!

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Primary Responsibilities.

• Develop and maintain a clear understanding and proficiency of overall system interdependencies and interfaces for demonstrating all aspects of SRMs/LEs
• Experience with system level and interface requirement development of SRMs/LEs
• Familiarity with propellant formulations, modeling formulations, and modeling motor performance.
• Experience with SRM/LE subsystem/system integration and test validations
• Deep understanding of AB propulsion configurations including Ram and Scram
• Familiarity of AB inlet, combustor, diffuser, and isolator design and testing.
• Experience with propulsion related requirements and test procedures/analysis/verification methods as well as manufacturing methods, tooling, procedures,
• Previous experience with mixing, casting, and firing SRMs.
• Assist in development of testing plans and process improvements for SRM/LE development
• Manage multiple vendor/providers while maintaining IP integrity.
• Work well in team environments and operate independently with minimal supervision.
• Advise and support government customer's analyses on materials, equipment, and infrastructure associated with ballistic missile proliferation and production.
• Mentor fellow colleagues on solid propellant rocket fundamentals, modeling, and manufacturing requirements.
• Facilitate configuration management of the propulsion technical data package
• Identify, mitigate and resolve propulsion related risks/issues/opportunities
• Coordinating propulsion engineering efforts with the customer
  
  

Basic Qualifications.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering or equivalent degree from an ABET-accredited university. Candidate should have 12 years of relevant experience.
• Individual must be self-starter with excellent communication and organizational skills
• A detailed understanding of the SRM/LE/AB for architecture development and testing
• Life-Cycle experience through DDT&E & Production and beyond.
• Thorough understanding of the DoD acquisition processes and methods
• Experience with tools such as CEA, NASTRAN, FEA, etc in support of propulsion development and formulation testing.
• Ability to stay focused and succeed in dynamic and fast paced environments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail
• Organizational skills to document work and interface with team members to ensure flow of information
• Demonstrates solid understanding and intuition of the functionality and interdependency of Missile and Hypersonic systems
• Demonstrated ability to work with the customer to clarify program challenges and/or system requirements
• Demonstrates solid understanding and intuition of the functionality and interdependency of complex physical systems
• Experience applying systems engineering practices to support hypersonic programs with unique developmental constraints
  
  

Preferred Qualifications.

• Prior work in DoD Missile, Reentry Vehicle, or Hypersonics fields.
• A detailed understanding of the top-down systems engineering process for architecture development and bottoms-up verification
• Thorough understanding of the DoD acquisition processes and methods
• Ability to obtain Top Secret Clearance is a plus
• Ability to stay focused and succeed in dynamic and fast paced environments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail
• Organizational skills to document work and interface with team members to ensure flow of information
• Demonstrated ability to work with the customer to clarify program challenges and/or system requirements
  
  

Come break things (in a good way). Then build them smarter.

We're the tech company everyone calls when things get weird. We don’t wear capes (they’re a safety hazard), but we do solve high-stakes problems with code, caffeine, and a healthy disregard for “how it’s always been done.”

Original Posting

October 7, 2025

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 $126,100.00 - $227,950.00

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.