IPT Lead Glide Body

Description

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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.

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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.