Lead Software Engineer

NCSL International; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Lead Software Engineer in Albuquerque, NM to drive software for electro-mechanical-optical experiments. You will own major software components for testbeds, data acquisition, and optical tracking, while mentoring junior engineers and collaborating with Government researchers in a lab setting.

The role emphasizes designing in C/C++, developing real-time and embedded software, and guiding DevOps/SecDevOps practices within a motivated team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering with 4+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 2+ years.
• Hands-on software engineering and development experience.
• Professional experience writing C/C++ software in a Linux system development environment.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink.
• U.S. citizenship required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, integration, and testing of C/C++ software for testbeds and optical tracking systems in a Linux environment.
• Translate objectives into software requirements and architecture for electro-mechanical-optical experiments.
• Develop real-time and embedded software, SBC applications, and hardware I/O interfaces.
• Maintain data acquisition, reduction, and analysis tools, including MATLAB/Simulink models where applicable.
• Improve software test/validation practices, DevOps/SecDevOps pipelines, and workflows.
• Support testbed design, calibration, field testing, and troubleshoot hardware/software/network issues.
• Serve as technical lead for small projects and mentor junior engineers.
• Communicate progress and risks to Government customers and stakeholders.
• The ideal candidate works independently, learns quickly, communicates clearly, and stays organized.

Skills

C/C++ development

Linux development

MATLAB/Simulink

Mentoring junior engineers

Real-time/embedded software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering

Master’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering

Tools

Git

SBC development

Job description

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos’ Defense Sector - Directed Energy Division in Albuquerque, NM is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to drive software development for a variety of electro-mechanical-optical experiments on an applied R&D contract. You will work alongside a multi-disciplinary team, collaborating with Government researchers on hands‑on experiments primarily in a laboratory. As a lead engineer on the team, you will own significant parts of the software behind testbed control, data acquisition, and optical tracking, and help guide the work of junior engineers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, integration, and testing of C/C++ software for testbeds, test equipment, and optical tracking systems in a Linux development environment.
• Translate test objectives from Government researchers into software requirements and architecture for electro-mechanical-optical experiments, and develop software control solutions.
• Develop real-time and embedded software, including single board computer (SBC) applications and hardware I/O interfaces to mechanical, electro-optical, and sensor equipment.
• Develop and maintain data acquisition, data reduction, and analysis tools, including operator interfaces and MATLAB/Simulink models where applicable.
• Drive continuous improvement of the team’s software test and validation practices, DevOps/SecDevOps pipelines, and engineering workflows.
• Support the design, buildup, calibration, and field testing of custom testbeds and test equipment; troubleshoot integrated hardware, software, and network issues; and turn field test results into software enhancements.
• Serve as technical lead for small projects, mentoring junior engineers and peer-reviewing code and designs for quality, maintainability, and adherence to best practices.
• Communicate technical progress, risks, and solutions directly to Government customers and project stakeholders.
• The ideal candidate works independently as well as with a team, learns new skills quickly, communicates clearly, and is organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering with 4+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering with 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands‑on software engineering and development experience.
• Professional experience writing C/C++ software in a Linux system development environment.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink.
• U.S. citizenship required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with controls engineering.
• Experience with software architecture, software test and validation, and DevOps/SecDevOps practices.
• Experience with embedded systems development, real-time environment programming, and single board computer (SBC) development.
• Experience with mechanical equipment hardware I/O, testbed design, data acquisition development, and field testing.
• Experience with UI/UX development and network configuration and support.
• Knowledge of military radar, tracking, and target aimpoint correlation.
• A link (e.g., GitHub) to an example C++ program of your own design, included with your application. Please share only personal or open-source work, not proprietary, export‑controlled, or classified code.

NKE

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

October 2, 2026

Pay Range

Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and 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.