Lead Software Developer - Java

Leidos Inc; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking Lead Software Developers to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, delivering cloud-native, scalable flight service and air traffic systems. You will work in a Scaled- Agile organization to develop containerized applications in a safety-critical, government program.

Responsibilities include designing, coding, testing, and collaborating with cross-functional teams across DevSecOps, systems engineering, and product delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field plus 4–8 years of experience, or a Master’s with 2–6 years.
• Significant experience with Java programming language.
• Significant experience with React and Web development technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).
• Experience with RESTful APIs, JSON, XML, XSD.
• Experience with Spring Framework, Spring Security, Spring Boot.
• Experience with Linux and common dev tools (Git/Subversion, IDEs).

Responsibilities

• Develop software solutions individually and in teams within an Agile environment.
• Write, test, debug, and maintain source code.
• Participate in stand-ups, release planning, and team activities.
• Develop and execute unit and functional tests.
• Troubleshoot issues in lab and operational environments.
• Support system engineering, test engineering, and system owner teams.

Skills

Java

React

HTML

CSS

JUnit

Mockito

REST API

JSON/XML

XSD

Spring Framework

Spring Security

Spring Boot

Linux

Git/Subversion

IDE (Eclipse/VS Code)

AI-assisted Dev

Cloud-based systems

Agile

Public Trust

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Agile/SAFe tooling

CI/CD

DevSecOps

MongoDB

Job description

Description

Leidos is seeking Lead Software Developers to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the development of next-generation flight service and air traffic systems. This work aligns with the FAA's broader initiative to modernize legacy flight service capabilities, replacing aging infrastructure with scalable, cloud-based platforms designed to improve safety and operational efficiency-particularly in remote and high-dependency aviation environments. These efforts focus on delivering mission-critical, future-ready solutions that provide safety-critical flight services to the pilot community.

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 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 containerized applications within anAgile/SAFe environment.This position supports government programs and requires the ability toobtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsible for software development activities both individually and as a member of a team including writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining source code within an Agile environment.
• Develop solutions to complex issues.
• Actively participate in daily stand-ups, Release Planning, and other related team activities.
• Write and execute unit and functional tests.
• Troubleshoot and participate in the resolution of technical issues in lab and operational environments.
• Provide support as needed for system engineering, test engineering, and system owner teams.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field with 4-8 years of relevant experience or a Master's degree with 2-6 years of experience.
• Significant experience with Java programming language
• Significant experience with React
• Experience with Web development and commonly used front-end tools and languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Significant experience with unit testing tools such as Junit and Mockito
• Experience with RESTful API, JSON, XML, XSD
• Experience with Spring Framework, Spring Security, and Spring Boot
• Experience with Linux
• Experience with version control systems such as Git or Subversion
• Experience with common development tools and IDEs (Eclipse, VS Code, etc.)
• Experience with AI-assisted software development workflows and tools (i.e. Claude Code, Codex, etc.)
• Experience with Cloud-based systems
• Experience working within the Agile environment
• Understanding of sound software development principles and practices
• Ability to plan and prioritize personal tasking and be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Independent thinker, capable of performing high quality work, both independently and with a team in a fast-moving environment
• Ability to obtain SF-85 Public Trust suitability determination
• US citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Agile/SAFe practices
• Knowledge of or experience with Python programming language
• Knowledge of or experience with Ansible playbooks and YAML
• Knowledge of or experience with Linux shell scripting
• Knowledge of DevSecOps practices and CI/CD pipelines
• Knowledge of or experience with MongoDB
• Knowledge of air traffic control and flight services

ATMC

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

Original Posting: November 2, 2026

Pay Range

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, 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.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos' name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

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.