Lead AI-Driven Defense Software Engineer

Society of Defense Financial Management; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to guide a software team building production-ready counter-UAS and missile defense software in C++ and Python within a SAFe framework.

You will champion agentic AI-assisted development, mentor engineers, ensure secure, auditable code, and collaborate with systems, cybersecurity, and program leadership to deliver mission-critical software.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field and 12+ years of software development experience.
• Proven ability to coach and mentor engineers and lead a software team as technical lead.
• Strong C++ and Python skills.
• Experience with Linux and full software lifecycle, including peer reviews, testing, and CI/CD.
• Experience in Agile/SAFe environments and tools like Jira and GitLab.
• US citizen able to obtain/maintain a Secret security clearance and willing to relocate to Huntsville, AL.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead and design authority for the IFPC Agentic AI software development team, setting direction and driving quality and delivery.
• Operationalize agentic AI-assisted software development across the team with workflows, tooling, and guardrails.
• Coach engineers in AI coding assistants through pairing, enablement sessions, code reviews, and playbooks.
• Adapt AI practices to secure, restricted, or air-gapped environments and shepherd tooling through security approvals.
• Develop production software in C++ and Python in a Linux environment for counter-UAS and missile defense systems.
• Work in SAFe with Jira and GitLab; uphold peer reviews, testing, and CI/CD integration, with AI integration.
• Debug in HWIL/SWIL settings and enforce engineering and coding standards.
• Collaborate with systems, electrical, test, and cybersecurity teams and interface with program leadership and customer.

Job description

Leidos Defense in Huntsville, AL is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to guide a software team building production-ready counter-UAS and missile defense software in C++ and Python within a SAFe framework.

You will champion agentic AI-assisted development, mentor engineers, ensure secure, auditable code, and collaborate with systems, cybersecurity, and program leadership to deliver mission-critical software.