Research Scientist

Research Scientist

Huntsville, AL – This is an on-site position

No clearance required to start with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI

The Defense Sector at Leidos is seeking a talented Research Scientist. In the Leidos Autonomy and Artificial Intelligence branch, you will work to solve complex engineering problems with a highly technical, multidisciplinary team consisting of aerospace engineers, computer scientists, research scientists, and statisticians. This group provides cutting-edge solutions to aerospace and defense problems such as autonomous battle management, robotic vehicle guidance, and model-based system identification.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop solutions to aerospace and defense problems by applying a variety of engineering, AI/ML, and software technical skills.
• Solve open-ended research problems across several different aerospace domains.
• Utilize technical skills to work through tasks involving dynamical modeling and simulation, machine learning (e.g., supervised learning, reinforcement learning), algorithm development, and data visualization. The aforementioned skills and solutions are expected to be implemented in software via programming languages such as Python.
• Leverage internal resources (e.g., software toolkits), collaborate with peers and experienced professionals, and learn independently.
• Each engineer should be able to comfortably and effectively communicate technical results of their analysis to peers.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 0-2 years of prior relevant experience or a master's degree with less than 2 years of prior relevant experience.
• US Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
• Advanced proficiency in programming, specifically including Python and MATLAB.
• Fundamental understanding of mathematical concepts, including linear algebra, matrix math, statistics, trigonometry, and coordinate frames.
• Fundamental understanding of core aerospace concepts, such as vehicle and attitude dynamics, control systems, and flight mechanics.
• Computer Science / Math: Understanding of machine learning basics, supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and statistics.
• Ability to perform independent research to learn new skills.
• Ability to work both in collaborative team environments and independently on open-ended research problems.
• Effective technical communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• US Citizen with an active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Research experience or prior internship positions.
• Experience with C++.
• Experience with Linux.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g. Git).

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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:

October 20, 2026

Pay Range:

Pay Range $57,850.00 - $104,575.00

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.