Hypersonics Chief Engineer

Hypersonics Chief Engineer

The Leidos Innovations Center (LInC) has an opening for a Hypersonics Chief Engineer for air-breathing in our King of Prussia, PA, Shalimar, FL, Huntsville, AL, or Beavercreek, OH office.

The candidate will provide High Speed vehicle technical leadership within Leidos and Department of Defense customer community to capture and execute air-breathing missile system design programs. In this technical position, the candidate will also apply deep domain knowledge to develop concepts for business development, marketing, and proposal activities to grow the Leidos air-breathing hypersonics program portfolio, providing prototype sub-systems and systems for our nation’s defense.

• Lead development and execution of new missile system concepts to capture and execute programs for the design of high-speed weapon systems.
• Lead technical execution across all system activities, from concept development through prototyping.
• Develop discriminating Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis techniques through contract and internal R&D.

• Grow the Concept Development business by integrating advanced air-breathing propulsion systems into novel missile systems, progressing work up the TRL chain from concept/systems analysis to prototype development.
• Create discriminating MS&A capabilities via contracts and internal research and development, market to customers and internal stakeholders, win and execute programs.
• Refine air-breathing vehicle concepts or MS&A programs to proposal level for multiple opportunities within one year.

Benefits 4 or more weeks Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more.

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace, Mechanical or similar discipline and > 15 years’ experience or BS and 20+ years of related experience.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to operate independently with limited supervision and feedback.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen with an existing Secret clearance. Preferred active TS clearance.
• Travel as needed.

• Prior experience in managing DOD research efforts, especially funded by AFRL, DARPA, ONR, and similar.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple simultaneous efforts while keeping them on schedule and on budget, and past experience leading a diverse team with successful outcomes.
• Strong business development acumen with experience leading successful business development campaigns, communicating with customers, developing white papers and proposals, and developing and communicating strategy for new business with management.

Original Posting: December 31, 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: $ - $