Location: Reston, VA
Leidos is seeking a talented Mechanical Engineer to support critical national security missions in Reston, Virginia. This role focuses on the assessment, reverse engineering, and characterization of complex above-ground and subterranean facilities located in denied-access environments.
The successful candidate will apply mechanical engineering expertise to analyze facility designs, spatial layouts, operational workflows, and supporting infrastructure to determine functional capabilities and mission relevance. You will evaluate facility systems, model critical infrastructure, identify vulnerabilities, and contribute technical insights that support complex intelligence and defense initiatives.
This position requires an engineer who thrives on solving challenging problems in situations where complete information is rarely available. The ideal candidate combines creativity, technical rigor, and attention to detail with the ability to develop sound engineering assessments from diverse sources of information. You will work as part of an interdisciplinary team of government and contractor professionals in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment supporting high-priority national security objectives.
Analyze and characterize the physical and functional attributes of facility layouts, building architecture, and operational workflows within denied-access environments to determine facility purpose, capability, and operational capacity.
Evaluate facility and infrastructure designs to identify security vulnerabilities, single points of failure, operational bottlenecks, and potential mission impacts.
Develop high-fidelity 3D models and conduct engineering simulations to replicate facility operations, workflow efficiencies, and structural or mechanical limitations.
Apply multidisciplinary engineering expertise to assess supporting facility systems, with a primary focus on Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) integration and functionality.
Translate field-collected data, intelligence information, and engineering assessments into comprehensive technical reports, CAD/BIM products, and simulation-based analyses for Department of Defense stakeholders.
Support customer-approved research and development initiatives independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team to advance analytical methodologies, modeling capabilities, and mission solutions.
Active and in-scope TS/SCI clearance required with willingness to obtain a polygraph after hire. Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Demonstrated understanding of engineering principles, theories, and concepts, with the ability to apply them across a range of technical and mission-focused programs.
Bachelor's degree with 4+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with 2+ years of relevant experience.
Relevant experience includes facility analysis, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and mechanical engineering within commercial, Department of Defense, or Intelligence Community environments.
MEP Systems Knowledge: Strong multidisciplinary understanding of Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) system design, integration, and operational functionality within complex industrial or military facilities, including specialized containment systems, filtration systems, and backup power infrastructure.
Ability to identify industrial HVAC equipment, estimate system size and capacity, and assess operational capabilities through visual analysis.
Ability to evaluate, organize, and utilize large datasets from diverse sources, including field-collected data, equipment technical manuals, and existing facility models.
Experience with 3D modeling, engineering analysis, and physical simulation methodologies.
Familiarity with interpreting engineering drawings, facility layouts, blueprints, and intelligence-derived technical data.
Ability to make sound technical judgments with incomplete information and clearly communicate assumptions, information gaps, and recommended paths forward.
Five or more years of field experience working with industrial HVAC systems, including air-cooled and water-cooled chillers, condensers, cooling towers, air handlers, heat exchangers, boilers, and related equipment.
Working knowledge of air management systems supporting critical environments, including medical laboratories, clean rooms, chemical laboratories, and similar specialized facilities.
Hands-on experience with advanced Building Information Modeling (BIM) and engineering simulation tools, including Autodesk Revit, VENTSIM, ETAP, and other industry-standard CAD and modeling platforms.
Experience supporting forensic engineering investigations, industrial accident analyses, or Department of Defense facility vulnerability studies.
Professional Engineer (PE) license and/or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Experience identifying mechanical system vulnerabilities and developing effective mitigation or corrective action strategies.
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.
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.
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.
Based on 2,316 disclosed Hardware salaries on RoleSuite, the role pays a median of $135K/year, with most offers between $109K and $172K (10th–90th percentile: $92K–$206K).
This posting lists $87K–$157K, in line with the $135K market median.
See the full Hardware salary breakdown →