Deputy Chief Engineer – Missiles

Have a passion for kinetic effects and missile systems? Join Leidos' Small Airborne Effectors Division in Huntsville, AL, designing, developing, testing, and producing small to medium airborne missiles, unmanned vehicles, and payload effectors for defense customers. We're seeking a highly motivated Deputy Chief Engineer for a fast-paced, critical program requiring expertise across aerodynamics, propulsion, electrical, and mechanical engineering.

Primary Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee engineering teams across disciplines, providing critical insight on vehicle design, integration, and test.
• Balance engineering analysis, design, test, and schedule constraints to meet aggressive timelines for development, prototyping, fabrication, and full systems testing.
• Implement systems engineering and integration best practices optimized for speed, agility, and highest execution standards.
• Manage schedule, risk, and budget in complex system developments.
• Brief upper management, customers, and technical teams with deep program knowledge.
• Prepare and present design reviews including PDR, CDR, and Test Readiness Reviews.

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical engineering or computer engineering from ABET-accredited institution + 15+ years related experience.
• Demonstrated capabilities in integrated system development, munition/missile design/test, solid rocket motor propulsion, systems engineering, program management, or team leadership.
• Strong collaborative skills in multidisciplinary teams.
• 10-25% travel for testing/events.
• Active TOP SECRET clearance or ability to obtain.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with DoD Safety Organizations (test range, fuzing/energetics, system safety).
• Flight test at USG ranges for ground/air-launched weapons.
• Energetic systems design/development/test.
• Rapid prototyping, integration, test.
• Requirements-based design/test planning.
• Technical/organizational leadership.

At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo. This is for disruptors who thrive in dynamic, multidisciplinary kinetic effectors projects through full product lifecycle.