Lead Software Engineer, Data & DevSecOps

Careerwebsite; Arlington, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Reston, Virginia, seeks a Principal Engineer / Technical Lead to support the CESO in Arlington, VA. This role focuses on a modern Secure Web Service operation on a highly automated platform, migrating to a high-security cloud, and delivering APIs, data pipelines, and secure software solutions.

The position is 100% on-site in Arlington. You will drive long-term technical strategy, oversee design and delivery of scalable, secure software, and champion engineering excellence across teams

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance is required.
• 12+ years of experience; multiple teams leadership.
• Hands-on with Oracle, SQL Server, Java, cloud tech, automation, CI/CD, and DevSecOps.
• Experience in database modernization and enterprise systems.
• Proven ability to design secure, scalable software and manage cross-team delivery.

Responsibilities

• Engineer and architect database modernization for cloud adoption.
• Define technical strategy and guide architecture across teams.
• Lead delivery of secure APIs and data pipelines.
• Develop automated CI/CD pipelines and enforce DevSecOps.
• Mentor senior engineers and manage performance and growth.

Skills

Agile software development

Leadership

Architectural strategy

Technical governance

DevSecOps

CI/CD

Stakeholder management

Education

BA in CS or related field

Tools

Gradle

PowerShell

Java Full Stack

Oracle 19c

Apache HTTP

Apache Tomcat

Webservices

Terraform

Jenkins

Ansible Automation

Job description

Join the team transforming secure cloud operations for the future.

We’re seeking a Principal Engineer / Technical Lead to support the Compartmented Enterprise Services Office (CESO) in Arlington, VA. This effort is building a modern Secure Web Service (SWS) operation on a cutting-edge, highly automated platform designed to support a rapidly expanding customer base. In this role, you’ll help drive CESO’s migration to a high-security cloud environment, delivering key capabilities such as network and communication services, monitoring services, and system administration. If you’re ready to make an impact on a mission-critical DISA program and work with a team shaping the next generation of secure enterprise services.

This position is based in Arlington, VA and is 100% on-site.

Primary Responsibilities

• Engineering
  • Experience in working on teams utilizing Agile workflows and processes
  • Engineer and architect the database architecture to support modernization initiatives
  • Translate mission outcomes and prioritized product backlog items into technical delivery plans and sprint goals
  • Develop, maintain, and evolve a modernized database architecture aligned to modernization initiatives, including cloud adoption
  • Design, implement, and test database architecture solutions that improve scalability, resilience, security, and performance
  • Re-engineer and transition legacy databases to modernized architectures while enabling coexistence across on‑premises and cloud ecosystems
  • Gather, define, and refine database and reporting requirements for internal and external users
  • Maintain enterprise architecture documentation and technical artifacts, including data models, SOPs, installation guides, and related engineering documentation
  • Lead development and integration of secure APIs, data pipelines (structured/unstructured)
  • Experience with software development languages/environments such as: JavaScript, GitLab, Jenkins, Ansible Automation, Java, PSSQL, YAML, and Terraform
  • Develop automated CI/CD build/deployment pipelines using Ansible and Bitbucket/Gitlab.
  • Implement DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, observability, and security controls
  • Implement software release version control, provide release management support throughout a software product's life cycle (initial software development through promotion to Test, QA and Production Environments), ensuring the consistency and reliability of software builds

• Organizational & Technical Leadership
  • Define and drive long-term technical strategy and architectural direction across teams
  • Oversee the design and delivery of scalable, secure, and maintainable software solutions
  • Serve as a senior technical authority and escalation point for cross-team and cross-domain issues
  • Champion engineering excellence, including automated testing, CI/CD, reliability, and security
  • Establish standards, best practices, and governance for software development
  • Guide the responsible adoption of generative AI tools across engineering teams
• People Management & Leadership Development
  • Lead, manage, and develop senior engineers and technical teams
  • Own performance management, career development, succession planning, and talent growth
  • Build and sustain a high‑performing, inclusive engineering culture
  • Coach leaders on effective team management, delivery, and technical decision-making
• Delivery & Execution
  • Own delivery outcomes across Agile teams, ensuring predictability and quality
  • Partner with product and business stakeholders to align roadmaps, priorities, and execution
  • Ensure effective Agile practices, metrics, and continuous improvement using Jira
  • Balance near‑term delivery with long‑term platform and technical investments
  • Incorporate customer feedback, operational insights, and data to drive product improvements
• Cross-Functional & Executive Collaboration
  • Act as a key engineering representative in cross‑functional and leadership discussions
  • Communicate technical vision, risks, and progress to senior leadership
  • Influence product strategy through deep understanding of users and technical constraints
  • Drive alignment across engineering, product, design, and operations

Basic Qualifications

• Candidate must have an active TS/SCI security clearance
• BA and 12+ years of experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Proven track record of leading multiple teams and delivering complex software systems
• Demonstrated leadership skills and attention to detail, including excellent organizational and documentation skills
• Minimum of 10 years of hands‑on technical experience in at least three of the following areas: Oracle, SQL Server, Java, engineered systems, cloud technologies, data integration, automated testing and deployments, and DevSecOps
• Demonstrated experience supporting database engineering, architecture, modernization, and Tier III technical support functions in complex enterprise environments
• Strong background in automated testing, CI/CD, and modern software delivery practices
• Experience with software development languages/environments such as: JavaScript, GitLab, Jenkins, Ansible Automation, Java, PSSQL, YAML, and Terraform
• Hands‑on full‑SDLC Agile Software Development experience, including full software lifecycle automation experience (design, development, test, deployment), including deployment to a production environment
• Experience designing, building, and deploying DevOps pipelines with Bitbucket, Git, Jenkins, Artifactory and Ansible (or equivalent tools)
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience working in a high op‑temp, top secret environment
• Previous experience tracking projects in Jira or equivalent Agile Project Management software
• Experience with the following technologies:
  • Gradle
  • PowerShell
  • Java Full Stack
  • Oracle 19c
  • Apache HTTP
  • Apache Tomcat
  • Webservices

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experienced with DISA and DISA’s support to mission partners
• Prior experience leading database modernization and transformation initiatives involving legacy‑to‑modern platform migration, cloud adoption, or hybrid enterprise environments.
• Experience in high‑availability, mission‑critical, or large‑scale federal enterprise systems requiring strong reliability, performance, and security.
• Demonstrated success leading teams responsible for database architecture standards, engineering governance, integration, and technical problem resolution.
• Experience working in environments that require close coordination with government stakeholders, cross‑functional technical teams, and multiple contractors.

#ceso

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

September 21, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range

Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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.