IPT Lead TPS

Leidos•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

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 sustainably. 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’ Defense Systems Aerospace Defense System Sector is seeking a IPT Lead – TPS to support an All-Up Round Prototyping and Demonstration Program in our Huntsville, AL, office. If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading! Leidos Defense Systems Sector provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions. To explore and learn more, click here ! The IPT Lead – TPS will lead an Integrated Product Team (IPT) of multidisciplinary engineers and technicians to design, develop, and integrate, a Thermal Protection System for hypersonic missile applications. The IPT Lead is accountable for technical direction, schedule and risk management, cross functional coordination (including packing commands), and ensuring manufacturability and testability through the missile construction and design lifecycle. . Effective execution of this role will be measured by the following metrics: Timely delivery of design reviews and critical design milestones Closure of high-risk technical issues and demonstrable risk reduction Successful integration and acceptance test results meeting requirements Manufacturing readiness and smooth transition to production with minimal rework Effective cross functional collaboration and stakeholder satisfaction.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related discipline with 8+ years of relevant aerospace/missile systems experience, with progressive technical leadership or IPT lead roles (Masters and 6+ years of experience are also acceptable)
Proven track record of leading product development from concept through production for flight hardware
Experience working with government/defense customers and knowledge of program lifecycle and contractual considerations
Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams on complex aerospace or missile systems
Strong systems engineering and design integration skills, with ability to lead trade studies and make technical decisions that balance performance, cost, schedule, and risk
Practical knowledge of glide body aerodynamics, structures, materials, and relevant subsystem interactions
Familiarity with packaging, transport, and handling requirements for missile hardware
Experience with producibility, fabrication processes, inspection, and manufacturing acceptance criteria
Proven ability to plan and run design reviews, verification/validation campaigns, and to coordinate acceptance testing
Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present complex technical information to diverse stakeholders
Strong leadership, decision-making, conflict resolution, and stakeholder management skills
Candidate must be a US Citizen and possess (and be able to maintain) a Final Secret Clearance

Nice To Haves

Master’s or PhD in Aerospace/Mechanical/Systems Engineering
Prior experience specifically on glide bodies, reentry vehicles, or guided munitions
Familiarity with relevant standards (e.g., MIL STD, AS9100) and environmental test protocols.
Proficiency with engineering tools such as CAD, FEA, and requirements/ model-based systems engineering tools preferred

Responsibilities

Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary IPT (aerospace, structures, materials, integration, test, manufacturing, and quality) to deliver glide body requirements on scope, schedule, and budget
Define and communicate technical strategy, system architecture, design trades, and risk posture for the glide body TPS
Oversee the design, development, and integration of thermal protection solutions to ensure system reliability under extreme conditions. Key concepts include leading cross-functional teams, working with composite materials, and ensuring effective interface control for seamless system integration
Drive design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR), interim technical reviews, and closure of action items; prepare and present technical artifacts to stakeholders
Ensure compliance with system requirements, interface control documents (ICDs), safety policies, and applicable aerospace standards and regulations
Collaborate with manufacturing and suppliers to ensure producibility, cost targets, and schedule commitments; resolve nonconformances and design-to-build issues
Establish test plans and acceptance criteria for environmental, structural, and functional verification of TPS components and assemblies
Manage technical risks through mitigation plans, verification of risk closure, and adjustment of schedule/requirements as needed
Maintain program-level documentation, configuration control, and technical data packages required for sustainment
Interface with program management, customers, and cross program IPTs to align priorities and report technical status