Principal Tool Design Engineer

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At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos is seeking a talented Principal Tool Design Engineer to join a diverse team that is creating unique manufacturing solutions for our growing defense programs!  Our work today supports the warfighter tomorrow!

This position will support a critical air defense program by leading tooling concept development, estimating, design, and fabrication oversight for a new production capability.  The facility will be a Leidos Defense Sector manufacturing facility and will support the ramp-up of a major air defense program in our portfolio.  The new facility will work closely with existing Leidos Manufacturing facilities in Huntsville, Alabama.  The Principal Tool Design Engineer will develop support fixtures, jigs, workstands, etc to primarily support mechanical assembly and integration activities.  Experience with the full lifecycle of tooling development, from concept creation through vendor selection and procurement, is key to the success of this effort.  Opportunities for both internal tool design and fabrication or outsourcing are possible, depending on the specific tool requirements, internal capabilities, and capacity.  This position will be a lead within a larger team focused on overall standup of a new facility and associated production capability.  The position will be based in Huntsville, AL but will require occasional travel with an increasing frequency of travel as the project progresses. 

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Leidos Defense Systems Sector / Manufacturing provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions. To explore and learn more, click here!

Are you ready to make an impact? Apply and share your resume with us today!

Primary Responsibilities

The Principal Tool Design Engineer would partner with internal stakeholders to do the following:

• Support concept of operations development for the facility.
• Support design for manufacturability workshops.
• Develop tool concepts to support production work plans and facility throughput.

• Develop Equipment/Tooling Estimates.

• Lead tooling make/buy decisions and support procurement SOW development.
• Generate tool designs and lead others in the same.
• Oversee tooling fabrication, installation, and commissioning.

Basic Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent technical discipline with minimum of 8 years of experience, OR Masters in technical or business discipline with a minimum of 6 years of experience.
• Candidate must have demonstrated technical experience developing manufacturing tooling.
• Ability to interpret and work to drafting standards (ASME Y14, etc).
• Familiarity with OSHA and other safety requirements.
• Candidate must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area.
• Must be a US Citizen and possess (and be able to maintain) a Final Secret Clearance OR meet the eligibility to obtain (and maintain) a Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Creo CAD software.
• Familiarity with Agile or Windchill PLM.
• Experience with ordnance manufacturing and handling regulations and safety protocols.
• Strong personnel, planning, and project management skills.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Huntsvillemanufacturing

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Original Posting:

December 18, 2025

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 $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

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.