Junior Software Engineer

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense seeks a Software Engineer to develop high‑performance C++ applications and backend systems supporting advanced radar programs. You will work on real‑time data pipelines and sensor interfaces, with growth into broader system ownership over time.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years of software development experience, strong C++ skills, and a willingness to relocate to Huntsville, AL. US citizenship and active secret clearance are required.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science from an ABET-accredited school.
• 2+ years of software development experience.
• Proficiency in modern C++.
• Experience with Linux-based systems.
• Experience with performance-sensitive, distributed, or systems-oriented applications.
• Experience with multithreaded or concurrent programming.
• Resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area.
• US Citizenship is required and active secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain C++-based applications and backend systems.
• Build software supporting data processing, visualization, and system control.
• Analyze and improve performance, latency, and scalability of software systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including software, systems, and hardware engineers.
• Support integration, testing, and deployment of software in operational environments.
• Contribute to evolving system capabilities, including future real-time and high-throughput processing components.
• Contribute to systems and features end-to-end, from development through deployment and improvement.

Skills

Modern C++

Linux

Multithreaded programming

Distributed systems

Real-time systems

Teamwork

Problem solving

US Citizenship

Active Secret Clearance

Relocation to Huntsville

Education

ABET-accredited EE/CE/CS degree

Tools

ZeroMQ

CUDA

Containerization / CI-CD

Python

Flask

Angular TS

SCSS

SQL

ArcGIS

OpenLayers

MapProxy

NASA WorldWind

Claude Code

Job description

Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

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 sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to doing 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 Defense is seeking a talented Software Engineer to develop high-performance applications and backend systems supporting advanced sensors and mission systems. This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy building performant software today while growing into broader system-level and real-time development over time. We have offices across the United States engaging in the defense, space, cyber and commercial fields, we provide responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific and IT solutions.

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

Leidos Defense 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.

Primary Responsibilities:

Candidates will support advanced technology radar programs to develop user-facing and backend software that interfaces with high-performance sensors and data processing systems. These applications are tightly coupled with real-time data pipelines and hardware systems, requiring strong understanding of performance, data flow, and system behavior.

Engineers in this role are expected to grow into broader system ownership over time, contributing across application, middleware, and real-time components as needed.

• Design, develop, and maintain C++-based applications and backend systems
• Build software supporting data processing, visualization, and system control
• Analyze and improve performance, latency, and scalability of software systems
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including software, systems, and hardware engineers
• Support integration, testing, and deployment of software in operational environments
• Contribute to evolving system capabilities, including future real-time and high-throughput processing components
• Contribute to systems and features end-to-end, from development through deployment and improvement

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science degree from an ABET-accredited school with a strong demonstration of the skills listed below.
• Candidate must have 2+ years of experience in software development.
• Candidate must have excellent teamwork skills and possess strong fundamentals in the following:
• Proficiency in modern C++
• Experience with Linux-based systems
• Experience with higher-level user application development
• Experience working in performance-sensitive, distributed, or systems-oriented applications
• Experience with multithreaded or concurrent programming
• Problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville - North Alabama, AL area.
• US Citizenship is required and active secret clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with messaging frameworks (e.g., "ZeroMQ")
• Experience with GPU Computing (e.g., "CUDA")
• Experience with containerization and CI/CD pipelines
• Exposure to radar, RF, or sensor systems
• Experience with Python
• Experience with Flask, Angular TS, and SCSS
• Experience with SQL-based Databases
• Familiarity with mapping / GIS frameworks (e.g., "ArcGIS", "OpenLayers", "MapProxy", "NASA WorldWind")
• Familiarity with AI coding assistants (e.g., "Claude Code")

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:

September 3, 2026

Pay Range:

Pay Range $69,550.00 - $125,725.00

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.

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.