Flight Dynamicist

Leidos

Advanced Concepts Flight Dynamicist supporting the development and analysis of aerospace vehicles at Leidos. Collaborating with cross-functional teams to solve complex aerospace engineering challenges.

Posted 7/16/2026full-timeShalimar • Alabama, California, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $87,100 - $157,450 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in flight dynamics, trajectory analysis, and guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms, with a strong foundation in aerospace engineering principles and modeling tools. Capable of collaborating across disciplines to develop high-fidelity simulations and support mission planning and system design.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Flight Dynamics AnalysisTrajectory OptimizationGuidance, Navigation, And Control (GNC)Modeling And Simulation ToolsAerospace Engineering Degree

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

3DOF And 6DOF Vehicle SimulationsFlight MechanicsOrbital MechanicsVehicle Stability And ControlMass Properties AnalysisAerospace Vehicle PerformanceData Pipeline TransformationsBatch Simulation RunsDebugging Continuous Integration Test Sequences

Soft Skills

Cross-Functional CollaborationEffective Communication

Tools & Technologies

MATLAB/SimulinkPythonSTKGMATFORTRANC/C++

Certifications & Qualifications

Active Secret Security Clearance

Industry Keywords

Aerospace EngineeringHypersonic SystemsMissile DefenseSpace SystemsTechnical Proposals

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PythonTypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and analyze 3DOF and 6DOF flight dynamics models to evaluate vehicle performance, stability, controllability, and mission effectiveness across the full flight envelope.
Perform trajectory design, optimization, and trade studies for hypersonic, missile, launch vehicle, and space systems, balancing performance, range, payload, thermal, and operational constraints.
Design, implement, and validate guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms including autopilot logic, trajectory shaping, target engagement, and terminal guidance functions.
Develop high-fidelity simulations and digital engineering models to support concept development, requirements analysis, mission planning, system design, verification, and test activities.
Conduct aerodynamic, propulsion, mass properties, and environmental sensitivity analyses to assess vehicle performance and identify key design drivers and technical risks.
Perform flight mechanics analyses including stability and control assessments, separation dynamics, staging events, atmospheric flight, reentry, and orbital mission operations as applicable.
Develop and integrate mission-level models within modeling and simulation frameworks, digital engineering environments, and hardware-in-the-loop or software-in-the-loop test architectures.
Support flight test planning, pre-flight predictions, post-flight reconstruction, and data analysis activities to validate models and improve system performance.
Collaborate across disciplines including aerodynamics, propulsion, thermal, systems engineering, software, and mission analysis teams to translate requirements into executable vehicle designs.
Support technical proposals, customer engagements, concept studies, and strategic growth initiatives related to advanced aerospace, missile defense, hypersonic, and space systems.
Present technical results, trade studies, and recommendations to internal leadership, customers, and stakeholders through briefings, reports, and design reviews.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited institution.
Minimum 2-4 years of experience in flight dynamics, trajectory analysis, mission design, guidance and control, modeling and simulation, or related aerospace engineering disciplines.
Demonstrated experience developing and analyzing 3DOF and/or 6DOF vehicle simulations.
Strong understanding of flight mechanics, orbital mechanics, trajectory optimization, vehicle stability and control, mass properties, and aerospace vehicle performance.
Experience with aerospace modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, STK, GMAT, FORTRAN, C/C++, or similar engineering software environments.
Demonstrated capability establishing data pipeline transformations, executing batch simulation runs, or debugging continuous integration test sequences.
Ability to work effectively within cross-functional engineering teams in a fast-paced development environment.
Experience supporting technical proposals, customer interactions, and engineering reviews.
Active Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain TS, as required.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive compensation
Health and Wellness programs
Income Protection
Paid Leave
Retirement