Principal Mechanical Engineer

Leidos is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to support its Hypersonics line of business for the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) program. In this onsite role in Huntsville, AL, you will lead CHGB Mechanical Structures Integrated Product Team (IPT) mechanical engineering efforts that span technical execution, deliverables, issue resolution, and coordination with design and industry stakeholders.

The position focuses on driving mechanical structures engineering from planning through integration and production support, including maintaining accurate definitions within the program Technical Data Package (TDP). You will also serve as a primary technical point of contact for engineering alignment, risk communication, and customer updates.

Responsibilities

• Lead CHGB Mechanical Structures Integrated Product Team (IPT) engineering activities, including technical execution, engineering deliverables, and issue resolution.
• Develop and maintain engineering plans and schedules, manage technical risks, and coordinate deliverables to support program objectives.
• Ensure complete and accurate definition of mechanical assembly components, subsystems, and ground support equipment within the Technical Data Package (TDP).
• Lead technical peer reviews and drive resolution of complex engineering issues.
• Act as a primary technical interface with the design agent and Industry IPT, coordinating technical activities and driving alignment on engineering decisions and issue resolution.
• Work with the design agent to incorporate design changes that enhance manufacturability, quality, and production efficiency.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, operations, and liaison engineering to resolve production bottlenecks, improve processes, and support hardware delivery.
• Coordinate with supplier program managers to ensure timely hardware delivery, resolve technical issues, and support supplier producibility improvements.
• Provide technical oversight of nonconforming hardware dispositions within established MRB authority and support Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations.
• Lead the Failure Review Board (FRB) process to resolve technical issues.
• Identify, assess, and communicate program risks and improvement opportunities to the Risk and Opportunity (RIO) Board.
• Serve as a senior technical representative to the customer, providing program status updates and communicating engineering and manufacturing activities.
• Mentor less experienced engineers and provide technical guidance across the IPT.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET accredited institution with 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) for complex mechanical subsystem design, development, integration, or production.
• Experience planning and coordinating engineering activities, managing technical deliverables, and addressing program risks and schedules.
• Proficiency with CAD tools such as Creo, CATIA, AutoCAD, or SolidWorks.
• Experience working within Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) environments.
• Working knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Understanding of engineering drawings, specifications, and configuration management processes.
• Experience leading technical investigations and resolving complex engineering issues in development or production environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical reviews and make sound engineering recommendations.
• Understanding of cost, schedule, and technical risk impacts associated with engineering decisions.
• Experience interacting directly with customers and external engineering organizations to coordinate activities and resolve technical issues.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and mentor other engineers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Technologies

• Creo
• CATIA
• AutoCAD
• SolidWorks
• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
• GD&T (ASME Y14.5)
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Benefits

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Active security clearance.
• Experience supporting DoD programs related to missile systems, reentry vehicles, or hypersonic technologies.
• Prior technical leadership experience in the design, development, qualification, or integration of missile system mechanical subsystems.
• Experience coordinating technical activities with external design agents, suppliers, and industry partners.
• Experience supporting rapid development, prototyping, or fast-paced engineering programs.
• Familiarity with AS9100 aerospace quality management systems.
• Knowledge of MIL-STD-31000 Technical Data Package (TDP) development, engineering release processes, and configuration control.
• Experience creating and reviewing engineering drawings and complex CAD assemblies using PTC Creo and managing engineering data within Windchill.
• Experience supporting Material Review Board (MRB), Failure Review Board (FRB), and Root Cause and Corrective Action (RCCA) processes.

Pay Range: $131,300.00 - $237,350.00 per year