System Architect Mechanical 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 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 is seeking an experienced System Architect Mechanical Engineer to solve tough engineering problems across some of the most challenging programs in our Defense Sector. This is a multi-faceted role that will leverage your experience in design, production, integration, and testing in myriad ways on multiple programs. You will be asked to solve tough, nebulous problems that span multiple engineering disciplines. This role requires a systems-minded leader with the ability to direct technical work based on cost, schedule, risk, and requirements. This is not your average engineering position. You will work on a team of the most talented engineers in the region who push you to be better every day. This is a dynamic role with unique technical challenges that will be a rewarding milestone in any engineering career.

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, visit

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead technical teams to design, manufacture, and deliver complex defense systems
• Own the technical baseline across all lifecycle stages—engineering execution, system performance, and requirements compliance
• Balance technical solutions against cost and schedule constraints
• Direct subsystem leads, IPT leads, and specialty engineers to drive design maturity, integration, and risk mitigation
• Identify and manage program risks and opportunities
• Communicate technical progress, challenges, and opportunities to senior leadership and government stakeholders
• Mentor and develop technical staff, fostering innovation, rigor, and collaboration

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering from an ABET-accredited university.
• Masters + 15 years of progressive engineering experience (or Bachelors + 17 years experience).
• Proven success leading complex, multi-disciplinary teams through development, integration, test, and production
• Strong technical judgment, with the ability to communicate clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Hands‑on experience with design reviews (PDR/CDR), configuration management, and risk management
• Active DoD security clearance, or eligibility to obtain
• Resident of Huntsville, AL or willing to relocate to the Huntsville, AL area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Full-lifecycle experience—design, manufacture, integration, test, and fielding—on at least one product
• Ability to quickly identify, assess, and communicate the downstream impacts of technical decisions
• Experience with launchers, canisters, and flight vehicles
• Experience integrating munitions into land- and sea-based launchers
• Familiarity with the Patriot launcher
• Familiarity with the Navy Vertical Launch System (VLS)
• Familiarity with Army offensive and defensive fires

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

October 8, 2026

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 $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

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.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at View email address on click.appcast.io.

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Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.