Lead Software Engineer

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

Job summary

Leidos in Gaithersburg, MD (and other U.S. locations) seeks a Software Engineer to design and maintain real-time, high-availability systems for national airspace modernization.

You will lead development efforts, mentor juniors, and collaborate in an Agile environment across development, test, and production domains. The role emphasizes strong C/C++ proficiency, OOP, and experience with Linux, virtualization, and low-level protocols.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field with 4–8 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with 2–6 years of relevant experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• Strong object-oriented programming experience.
• Proficiency in C and/or C++.
• Experience developing real-time, multi-threaded, high-availability 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.
• US Citizenship Required.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain software for real-time, high-availability systems.
• Lead software development activities independently and as part of a collaborative engineering team.
• Analyze complex system requirements and translate them into efficient, maintainable software designs.
• Apply sound software engineering principles to ensure code is reliable, fault tolerant, reusable, and maintainable.
• Lead and mentor junior developers, influencing technical direction and development processes.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies including daily stand-ups, release planning, and sprint reviews.
• Develop, tune, document, and deploy automation scripts across development, test, and production environments.
• Promote code reuse, cross-program collaboration, and sustainable development practices.
• Support system integration activities, including hardware and low-level communications interfaces.

Skills

Object-oriented programming

C/C++

Real-time systems

Low-level communications

US Citizenship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Master’s degree

Tools

Linux (Red Hat)

Virtual machines

Hypervisors

Source control & configuration management tools

Job description

Description

Job Description

Software Engineer

UK NASR PDT Evolution Program

Leidos is seeking a Software Engineer 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 hybrid schedule between 2-3 days in the office per week.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, test, and maintain software for real-time, high-availability systems
• Lead software development activities independently and as part of a collaborative engineering team
• Analyze complex system requirements and translate them into efficient, maintainable software designs
• Apply sound software engineering principles to ensure code is reliable, fault tolerant, reusable, and maintainable
• Lead and mentor junior developers, influencing technical direction and development processes
• Participate in Agile ceremonies including daily stand-ups, release planning, and sprint reviews
• Develop, tune, document, and deploy automation scripts across development, test, and production environments
• Promote code reuse, 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
  • OR Master’s degree with 2–6 years of relevant experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance
• Strong object-oriented programming experience
• Proficiency in C and/or C++
• Experience developing real-time, multi-threaded, high-availability 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
• Strong understanding of modern software development principles and best practices
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Ada
• Experience with test automation frameworks
• Familiarity with AI/ML tools applied within software development workflows

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.

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.

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.

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.