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Leidos’ Defense Systems Aerospace Defense System Sector is seeking a IPT Lead – Glide Body to support an AUR 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 – Glide Body will lead an Integrated Product Team (IPT) of multidisciplinary engineers and technicians to design, develop, integrate, and field glide body systems for a hypersonic all-up-round missile system. The IPT Lead is accountable for technical direction, schedule and risk management, cross functional coordination, 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.
Primary Responsibilities
* Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary IPT (aerospace, structures, materials, propulsion/avionics integration, test, manufacturing, and quality) to deliver booster and interstage requirements on scope, schedule, and budget
* Define and communicate technical strategy, system architecture, design trades, and risk posture for the propulsion system
* Coordinate with logistics, and design engineers to ensure flight hardware, transport, and handling constraints are integrated into design and acceptance criteria
* Oversee missile construction and design maturation from concept through detailed design, fabrication, integration, acceptance test, and production handoff
* 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 propulsion system components and subassemblies
* 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
Basic Qualifications
* 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
Preferred qualifications
* 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
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.
April 3, 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 $107,900.00 - $195,050.00
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.
Leidos is a Fortune 500® innovation company rapidly addressing the world’s most vexing challenges in national security and health. The company's global workforce of 48,000 collaborates to create smarter technology solutions for customers in heavily regulated industries. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $15.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023.
Leidos was cited for the meaningful work employees perform that is challenging, impactful, and aligned with our customers’ missions as reasons professionals want to work and stay at our company. Leidos has also been named to lists including Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, and Ethisphere Institute’s World's Most Ethical Companies®.
Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors and talented colleagues and customers. Employees appreciate our flexible work environment, allowing for and encouraging a true work-life balance. Our professionals are also excited about our Employee Resource Groups, like the Collaborative Outreach with Remote and Embedded Employees (CORE), which strives to create an environment where every employee, regardless of location, feels fully engaged as a valued employee of Leidos.
Your most important work is ahead, visit careers.leidos.com for our latest opportunities.
