Lead Aerospace Modeling and Simulation Engineer

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, and test high-fidelity models of aerospace systems using provided technical information, research, and sound engineering principles.
• Provide technical guidance to a team of engineers developing representative flight models.
• Evaluate and document model performance against established requirements.
• Develop and maintain documentation of algorithm design and model implementation.
• Collaborate with an engineering team comprised of both internal and external team members.
• Engage with external stakeholders to define requirements, address technical needs, and conduct model demonstrations.
• Support the development, integration, and validation of aerospace modeling and simulation capabilities.
• Candidate must be local to or willing to relocate to the Charlottesville, VA area.

Required Skills, Education, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent discipline from an ABET-accredited university with 4+ years of applicable experience, or a Master’s degree with 2+ years of applicable experience.
• Experience developing or working with 3DOF and/or 6DOF flight models.
• Experience with ballistic missiles, air-launched missiles, and/or hypersonic vehicles.
• Experience using MATLAB/Simulink.
• Experience programming in C++ and/or Python.
• Experience leading or providing technical direction to a team in support of customer requirements.
• Detailed understanding of the systems engineering process.
• Demonstrated understanding and technical intuition regarding the functionality and interdependencies of aerospace systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, including the ability to document technical work and ensure effective information flow across the engineering team.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must possess and be able to maintain an active Secret clearance.
• Must meet eligibility requirements to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with configuration management tools such as SVN and Git.
• Experience integrating and testing Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) algorithms.
• Experience with ITASE and/or AFSIM.

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:

October 9, 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 $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

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.