Lead AI Software Developer

Leidos Inc; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellness programs

Retirement plan

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Lead AI Software Developer to join the Air Traffic Business Area in the Homeland Sector. You will design and implement microservices-based software within a SAFe framework, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver AI-enabled, data-driven systems in a regulated, safety-critical environment.

The role emphasizes hybrid work (3 days onsite, 2 days remote for commutable distances) and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust; U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 4+ years of relevant experience or a Master’s Degree with 2+ years of experience.
• Hands-on experience building and supporting microservices-based systems.
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (Java, Python, C++, or similar on Linux).
• Experience with AI/ML-enabled systems or AI-augmented software development.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain microservices-based applications using modern software engineering practices.
• Collaborate with product owners, architects, and engineers in an Agile/SAFe environment.
• Participate in sprint planning, daily standups, reviews, and retrospectives.
• Translate requirements into working software solutions with systems engineering teams.
• Develop clean, maintainable, and testable code following CI/CD and DevSecOps practices.
• Integrate services with databases, messaging systems, and external APIs.

Skills

Microservices

Java/Python/C++

AI/ML

Agile/SAFe

APIs

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Kafka

Docker

Kubernetes

Cloud platforms

Job description

Description

Leidos is seeking a Lead AISoftware Developer to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the development of the Leidos Common Baseline. Common Baseline is a mission-critical, future-ready automation solution built on a hybrid cloud data mesh architecture. As a member of a Scaled Agile software development organization, you will contribute to the technical execution of a program that integrates proven, globally deployed technologies with modern cloud-native and AI-enabled capabilities. You will work alongside cross-functional teams and technical leaders to deliver predictable outcomes in a highly regulated, safety-critical environment.

In this position, you will design and implement software solutions independently while working closely with systems engineering, product delivery, and DevSecOps teams. The primary focus is on developing microservices-based applications within an Agile/SAFe environment. Experience with AI-enabled or data-driven systems is advantageous. This position supports government programs and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation

Location & Remote Details

This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days onsite and 2 days working from home, if you are located within a commutable distance (Less than 1 hour's drive one-way during normal traffic) from Gaithersburg, MD; Eagan, MN; or Egg Harbor Township, NJ. However, if you do not reside within a commutable distance, you may be considered for a 100% remote role.

This role focuses on building and modernizing real-time, safety-critical systems using a combination of traditional systems engineering and AI-augmented software development practices. You'll work on software that directly supports national air traffic operations, applying AI tools to accelerate development, improve quality, and enhance system reliability.

What You'll Do

• Design, develop, and maintain microservices-based applications using modern software engineering best practices
• Collaborate with product owners, architects, and engineers in an Agile/SAFe environment
• Participate in sprint planning, daily standups, reviews, and retrospectives
• Collaborate with systems engineering and program teams to translate requirements into working software solutions
• Develop clean, maintainable, and testable code following CI/CD and DevSecOps practices
• Contribute to system design discussions and technical decision-making
• Integrate services with databases, messaging systems, and external APIs
• Support troubleshooting, performance tuning, and continuous improvement
• Work closely with QA, DevOps, and platform teams to ensure reliable delivery
• Implement modern automated testing strategies, including unit, integration, contract, and end-to-end testing
• Use AI-assisted development tools to accelerate coding, refactoring, debugging, and test creation

Core Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience)
• 4+ years of relevant experience or a Master's Degree and 2+ years of relevant experience
• Hands-on experience building and supporting microservices-based systems
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (e.g., Java, Python, C++, or similar on a Linux-based system)
• Experience or exposure to AI/ML-enabled systems (Claude-Code), automation, or intelligent platforms.
• Experience working in Agile environments
• Understanding of APIs and distributed system concepts
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust
• U.S. citizenship required
• Successful completion of background investigations as required by the government customer

Preferred / Desired Qualifications

• Experience with Git-based version control and CI/CD pipelines
• Familiarity with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
• Experience working with relational and/or NoSQL databases
• Hands-on experience with Kafka or other event-streaming technologies
• Cloud experience (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Containerization and orchestration experience (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience working in DevSecOps environments
• Experience with test automation frameworks and integration of automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines
• Desired but not required: Commutable distance to Gaithersburg, MD or Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

Why Leidos?

You'll work on systems where performance, precision, and reliability matter - every second. This is not experimental AI for prototypes. This is disciplined, responsible AI applied to mission-critical software that supports national infrastructure.

If you're excited by solving complex problems in regulated, real-world environments - and using AI as a force multiplier rather than a shortcut - we'd like to talk.

Pay Range

Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

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

• 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.