Principal Mechanical Engineer SME

About the role

Description Principal Mechanical Engineer (TS/SCI Required)

Location: Reston, VA

Leidos is seeking an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to support high-priority national security missions in Reston, Virginia.

Primary Responsibilities

• 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 emphasis on Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) integration and functionality within complex facilities.
• Create comprehensive technical reports, CAD/BIM products, and simulation-based analyses for Department of Defense stakeholders.
• Lead or contribute to customer-approved research and development initiatives, independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team, to advance analytical methodologies, modeling capabilities, and mission solutions.
• Serve as a recognized subject matter expert within the organization and broader technical community, providing authoritative guidance and engineering insight to complex mission challenges.

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance required.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Demonstrated mastery of advanced engineering technologies, scientific principles, theories, and concepts, with the ability to apply expertise across highly complex technical and mission-focused programs.
• Master's degree with 15+ years of relevant experience, or a Doctorate with 13+ years of relevant experience.
• Relevant experience includes facility analysis, infrastructure vulnerability assessments, and mechanical engineering within commercial, Department of Defense, or Intelligence Community environments.
• 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.
• Experience interpreting engineering drawings, facility layouts, blueprints, and intelligence-derived technical data.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound technical judgments with incomplete information while clearly communicating assumptions, uncertainties, and recommended paths forward.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025.

Pay And Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos' name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work).

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.