Principal Mechanical Engineer

Leidos•Huntsville, AL

1d•$131,300 - $237,350

About The Position

Leidos Defense Systems is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer for its Hypersonics line of business to support the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (CHGB) program. The role leads engineering activities for the CHGB Mechanical Structures Integrated Product Team (IPT), including technical execution, engineering deliverables, risk management, and issue resolution. The engineer works with the design agent, industry partners, suppliers, manufacturing engineering, operations, liaison engineering, and the customer to align engineering decisions, support production, and deliver hardware. The position also provides technical oversight of nonconforming hardware dispositions, leads technical review and failure-resolution processes, communicates risks and program status, and mentors less experienced engineers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited institution and 12 or more years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or IPTs responsible 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, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

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 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.

Responsibilities

Lead engineering activities for the CHGB Mechanical Structures IPT, including technical execution, engineering deliverables, and issue resolution.
Develop and maintain engineering plans and schedules, manage technical risks, and coordinate deliverables in support of 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.
Serve as a primary technical interface with the design agent and Industry IPT, coordinating technical activities and aligning engineering decisions and issue resolution.
Work with the design agent to incorporate design changes that improve 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.
Represent the technical function to the customer, providing program status updates and communicating engineering and manufacturing activities.
Mentor less experienced engineers and provide technical guidance across the IPT.