Description
Leidos is seeking a talented Mid-Level Mechanical Engineer to join our Security Enterprise Solutions (SES) business unit in Vista, CA. Our team designs and manufactures highly complex security equipment deployed at border crossings, airports, seaports, and other transportation hubs. Our product portfolio includes radiation detectors and spectrometers, X-ray and gamma-ray scanners for cars, trucks, and trains, and CT explosives detection systems for airline passenger baggage.
In this role, you will update existing designs and introduce innovative products to our extensive line of security detection solutions. The products developed through this effort are truly novel and will make global travel and trade safer, healthier, and more efficient.
Primary Responsibilities:
Design and develop mechanical structures for large and small electromechanical systems and sub-systems
Identify components, communicate with vendors, and provide analytical recommendations for component selection
Plan and design mechanical structures, environmental enclosures, tools, machines, and other mechanically functioning equipment
Oversee the installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment, including non-intrusive X-ray inspection systems
Communicate effectively with internal team members across multiple engineering disciplines
Contribute expertise to the product development team for key component design requirements
Lead preliminary and critical design reviews for subsystems throughout the product development process
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to develop proof-of-concept, proto@type, and production-ready systems
Create and maintain specifications, ensuring all documents are well-developed, accurate, and consistent
Adhere to established Leidos internal processes and practices
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree with 4+ years of relevant experience; additional work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
Hands-on experience defining and implementing formal design documentation, including assembly and detail drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and 3D CAD modeling
Strong presentation skills
Excellent documentation and process discipline with close attention to detail
Proficiency in SolidWorks for part, assembly, and mechanical drawing designs
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook)
Exceptional analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills
Solid understanding of Engineering Mechanics (Statics and Dynamics) and Heat Transfer
Ability to organize and prioritize tasks based on guidance from the engineering manager
Ability to pass a TSA and CBP suitability background check
Willingness to travel internationally, as required (typically up to 10%)
Desired Qualifications:
Familiarity with the Engineering Change Order process (ECR, ECO, ECN)
Experience performing Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Knowledge of materials and material properties associated with outdoor platforms and electronic enclosures
Strong understanding of metal fabrication processes, including machining, sheet metal fabrication, and welding
Experience with corrosion protection techniques and material finishing processes
Ability to effectively apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ANSI Y14.5
Experience with X-ray device shielding and collimation is a plus
Check out the links below to learn more about Security Enterprise Solutions (SES)
https://careers.leidos.com/pages/security-enterprise-solutions
https://www.leidos.com/markets/aviation/security-detection
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:
April 13, 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 onlyand 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.
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. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com .
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. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits .
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). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com .
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/) .
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.
REQNUMBER: R-00180317
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Leidos will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for employment in accordance with relevant Laws. Leidos is an equal opportunity employer/disability/vet.
