Lead Software Developer

Leidos; Gaithersburg (MD); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Lead Software Developer - Early Systems Integration (ESI) to be based in Gaithersburg, MD; Eagan, MN; or Egg Harbor, NJ. You will join a dynamic team building real-time, high-availability, safety-critical software supporting UK NASR PDT and national airspace operations.

The role emphasizes design, development, and testing of integrated systems, leadership of junior integrators, and collaboration across engineering disciplines. A 50% hybrid schedule applies in the U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field; 4–8 years of relevant experience (or Master’s with 2–6 years).
• Strong OO programming and low-level systems experience are required.
• Experience in Linux (Red Hat), VMs, and hypervisors.
• Proficiency in Perl, Python and shell scripting.
• Experience with real-time, multi-threaded, high-availability systems.
• Leadership in integration and test activities for complex software systems.
• Experience with TCP/IP, UDP, SCTP and hardware/system integration.
• Familiarity with source control and configuration management tools.
• Excellent planning, prioritization, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and test plans for real-time, high-availability systems.
• Lead integration and test activities for complex software systems.
• Mentor junior integrators and drive best practices in integration and verification.
• Collaborate with software, systems, and program leadership to ensure testability and timelines.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies and support SW/build teams.
• Support hardware interfaces and low-level communications in system integration.

Skills

OO programming

Perl

Python

Shell scripting

Real-time systems

Multi-threading

High-availability

Integration testing

Test leadership

Linux (Red Hat)

Virtual machines

Hypervisors

TCP/IP

UDP

SCTP

Hardware integration

System lifecycle

Source control

Configuration management

Project planning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Master’s degree

Job description

Description

Leidos is seeking a Lead Software Developer - Early Systems Integration (ESI) to be based in Gaithersburg, MD; Eagan, MN; or Egg Harbor, NJ. This position will support the United Kingdom National Airspace System Replacement Product Delivery Team - UK NASR PDT. This effort delivers enhanced capabilities to replace and modernize the current operational system supporting UK air traffic services.

You will join a dynamic engineering team responsible for building and sustaining real-time, high-availability, safety-critical systems that directly support national airspace operations.

Location

This is a U.S.-based position that offers a balanced 50% hybrid schedule between 2-3 days in the office per week.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, execute integration and test plans, procedures, and cases to verify system functionality, and performance, and maintain software for real-time, high-availability systems
• Participate in agile software development activities as part of a collaborative engineering team
• Analyze complex system requirements and translate them into efficient, maintainable software test plans and cases.
• Lead and mentor junior integrators, influencing technical direction and promote best practices in integration and verification
• Participate in Agile ceremonies including daily stand-ups, release planning, and sprint reviews as need in support of the SW teams and the build teams.
• Collaborate with software engineers, system engineers, and program leadership to ensure testability of system design and alignment with project schedules
• Promote cross-program collaboration, and sustainable development practices
• Support system integration activities, including hardware and low-level communications interfaces

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field with 4–8 years of relevant experience. Additional relevant experience may be use in lieu of degree.
• OR Master’s degree with 2–6 years of relevant experience
• Strong object-oriented programming experience
• Proficiency in Perl, Python and shell scripting
• Experience developing real-time, multi-threaded, high-availability systems
• Experience leading integration and test activities for complex software systems
• Strong hands-on integration experience with large, distributed, or real-time systems
• Experience with Linux environments (Red Hat), virtual machines, and hypervisors
• Experience with low-level communications protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, SCTP)
• Experience with hardware or complex system integration
• Familiarity with system maintenance and lifecycle concepts
• Experience with source control and configuration management tools
• Ability to plan and prioritize work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively
• US Citizenship Required
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance
• Successful completion of background investigations as required by the government customer

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with test automation frameworks
• Familiarity with AI/ML tools applied within software development workflows
• Familiarity with Agile life cycle
• Advanced integration experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • New system functionality integration
  • Regression testing
  • Problem determination and root cause analysis
  • Data reduction and analysis
  • Problem verification and change validation
• Air Traffic domain knowledge or experience supporting air traffic programs
• Experience operating in fast-paced, high-accountability environments requiring independent execution

Why Leidos

You’ll contribute to software systems where reliability, performance, and precision are essential. This is an opportunity to work on mission-critical infrastructure supporting national airspace operations — collaborating with experienced engineers to modernize complex, real-world systems.

If you are motivated by solving technically challenging problems in regulated, operational environments, we encourage you to apply.

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.

Pay Range

Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

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, 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.

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

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.