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Leidos’ Defense Sector - Kinetic Effects Business Area, has an opportunity for a Senior Applied Aerodynamics Engineer to work at our Huntsville, AL campus leading design and analysis of missile and aviation systems.

Leidos Defense 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!

Primary Responsibilities

The Senior Applied Aerodynamics Engineer requires strong technical skills in applied aerodynamics. The candidate will possess expertise in the use of analytical and semi‑empirical aerodynamic prediction tools to guide the design and analysis of flight vehicles. Responsibilities include leading aerodynamic design trade studies, performance assessments, testing activities, and the development of high‑fidelity aerodynamic characterizations for flight vehicles.

Basic Qualifications

The position requires a minimum of a BS degree in Aerospace / Aeronautical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution and 8-12 years of industry experience in aerospace applied aerodynamics or a MS degree in Aerospace / Aeronautical Engineering and 6-10 years of industry experience in aerospace applied aerodynamics.

Demonstrated capabilities in programming languages Python or Matlab.

Demonstrated experience leading aerodynamic designs, aerodynamic characterizations, and flight performance evaluations.

Must possess strong oral and written communication skills, with experience briefing technical content to leadership and customers.

The ability to lead, mentor, and collaborate constructively within a multi-disciplinary design team.

Must be a US citizen and possess the ability to obtain and maintain a DoW security clearance.

The candidate must be a resident of the North Alabama area, or willing to relocate, to work on-site at the Huntsville, AL campus.

Preferred Qualifications

It is preferred that the candidate possesses an MS degree in Aerospace / Aeronautical Engineering and 6-10 years of related aerodynamics experience.

Expertise with industry-standard aerodynamic prediction tools and leading wind tunnel tests.

Prior experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) data generation and processing.

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.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

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.