Lead Software Developer

Leidos LLC; Egg Harbor Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellness programs

Income Protection

Paid Leave and Retirement

Job summary

Leidos LLC is seeking a Software Developer to support the FAA TFDM program, focusing on system management and next‑gen air traffic management deployments at airports nationwide. You will collaborate with FAA customers and field teams to ensure seamless integration and operation.

The role offers a hybrid schedule in Egg Harbor, NJ, includes up to 50% travel, and demands strong Linux, Ansible, and container tooling skills for mission‑critical environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field; 4+ years of software engineering experience.
• Experience with Linux system administration and deployment across multiple environments.
• Strong scripting and automation skills in Python and Bash/shell.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy TFDM system components.
• Collaborate with FAA customers during deployments at airport sites.
• Support multi-environment (dev/test/prod) configurations and release processes.

Skills

Ansible

Python

Bash/Shell

Linux

Container tech

IaC

Configuration mgmt

CI/CD

Release mgmt

Git workflows

Network config

VM lifecycle

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field

Tools

RPM

pip

Ansible Galaxy

VMware

KVM

Job description

Join a team that is modernizing the future of air traffic management while supporting one of the nation’s most critical missions. In this role, you’ll contribute to the development and deployment of the FAA’s Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) system, helping deliver NextGen capabilities that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the National Airspace System. Beyond software development, you’ll have the unique opportunity to work directly with FAA customers at airport locations across the country, supporting system deployments and seeing firsthand how your work enables mission success. If you enjoy solving complex technical challenges, collaborating with customers, and making a tangible impact in operational environments, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to grow your career while supporting a program of national importance. Leidos is looking for a Software Developer focusing on System Management supporting our Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) program. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless integration and functionality of next-generation air traffic management systems. Your expertise will directly contribute to the modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS), helping deliver technology that improves the safety and efficiency of air traffic operations at airports nationwide. TFDM is the surface management solution that will provide NextGen Air Traffic Control capabilities to improve air traffic operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). The TFDM program is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) NextGen initiative focused on airport surface management, delivering a comprehensive integrated surface traffic control and management system that enhances efficiency for both airport surface operations and terminal airspace. Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Location

This position is based in our Egg Harbor, NJ office with a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week in the office and 2 days working remotely.

Travel

Up to 50% travel is required for this role and is one of its most exciting aspects. You'll have the opportunity to travel to FAA airport locations across the United States, working side-by-side with customers and field teams as the TFDM system is deployed to 89 airports nationwide. This hands-on experience provides a unique chance to see your work come to life in operational environments, collaborate directly with FAA personnel, and gain firsthand insight into the technology that supports the nation's air traffic system. Travel is typically 1–2 weeks per trip, offering a rewarding balance of customer engagement, real-world system implementation, and technical problem solving.

Technical Skills (Required)

• Ansible - Deep experience with playbooks, roles, custom plugins, callbacks, and inventory systems
• Python - Strong scripting, automation, and tool development
• Bash/Shell scripting - Complex build orchestration and system automation
• Linux system administration – Red Hat Enterprise Linux, package management, integration of Linux technologies, etc. Demands strong foundational Linux administration and management of the full lifecycle of systems from bare metal to operational deployment across multiple environments.
• Container technology - Podman/Docker, container builds, orchestration
• Infrastructure & DevOps: Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices
• Configuration management at scale
• CI/CD and build automation
• Release management and versioning
• Git workflows and collaboration
• Network configuration (VLANs, IP schemes, switch configs)
• Physical hardware provisioning (PXE boot, kickstart)
• Virtual machine lifecycle management (VMware and KVM)
• Multi-environment deployment (dev/test/prod/lab)
• Package ecosystem management (RPM, pip, Ansible Galaxy)
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field 4+ years of proven experience in Software Engineering
• Must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Technical Skills (Highly Desirable)

• Ansible best practices
• YAML templating and variable hierarchies
• Ansible vault and secrets management
• Multi-site infrastructure coordination
• Custom Ansible plugin development
• AI assisted development
• Domain Experience
• Enterprise infrastructure management
• Mission‑critical system deployment
• Multi‑processor‑type system architectures
• Air‑gapped or classified environments

Qualities & Soft Skills

• Systems Thinking: Understand complex interdependencies (200+ Ansible roles, multiple processor types)
• Trace issues across numerous environment configurations
• See how changes ripple through the architecture
• Systematic & Methodical: Follow documented workflows (TCM verification, CAS validation). Test thoroughly before deployment
• Problem‑Solving Approach: Debug across multiple abstraction layers. Work within constraints of existing architecture
• Collaboration: Work with established patterns rather than reinventing. Coordinate across multiple sites and environments

Pay Range

Pay Range: Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

Pay and Benefits

• competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave and Retirement

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process.

And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address.

Commitment and Diversity

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.