Principal AI Software Developer

Leidos; Egg Harbor Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Principal AISoftware Developer to join the Air Traffic Business area. The role focuses on building microservices-based applications in an Agile/SAFe environment, with AI-enabled capabilities and real-time, safety-critical software.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, implement CI/CD and DevSecOps practices, and work on a hybrid model with 3 onsite days and 2 remote days. U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain Public Trust are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• 12+ years of relevant experience or a Master’s Degree plus 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience building and supporting microservices-based systems.
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (Java, Python, C++, on Linux).
• Experience with AI/ML-enabled systems or automation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain microservices-based applications.
• Collaborate in an Agile/SAFe environment with cross-functional teams.
• Participate in sprint ceremonies and transform requirements into software solutions.
• Develop clean, testable code with CI/CD and DevSecOps practices.
• Integrate services with databases, messaging systems, and external APIs.
• Support performance tuning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
• Work with QA, DevOps, and platform teams to ensure reliable delivery.
• Implement automated testing strategies (unit, integration, E2E).
• Leverage AI-assisted development tools to accelerate coding and testing.

Skills

Microservices

Agile/SAFe

AI-enabled systems

CI/CD

Public Trust eligibility

U.S. citizenship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Engineering

12+ years of relevant experience

Tools

Git

Docker

Kubernetes

Kafka

Job description

Description

Leidos is seeking a Principal AISoftware Developer to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the development of the Leidos Common Baseline. Common Baseline is a mission-critical, future-ready automation solution built on a hybrid cloud data mesh architecture. 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 and AI-enabled 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 microservices-based applications within an Agile/SAFe environment. Experience with AI-enabled or data-driven systems is advantageous. This position supports government programs and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation

This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days onsite and 2 days working from home. If you are located within a commutable distance (Less than 1 hour's drive one-way during normal traffic) from Gaithersburg, MD; Eagan, MN; or Egg Harbor Township, NJ. However, if you do not reside within a commutable distance, you may be considered for a 100% remote role.

This role focuses on building and modernizing real-time, safety-critical systems using a combination of traditional systems engineering and AI-augmented software development practices. You’ll work on software that directly supports national air traffic operations, applying AI tools to accelerate development, improve quality, and enhance system reliability.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, and maintain microservices-based applications using modern software engineering best practices
• Collaborate with product owners, architects, and engineers in an Agile/SAFe environment
• Participate in sprint planning, daily standups, reviews, and retrospectives
• Collaborate with systems engineering and program teams to translate requirements into working software solutions
• Develop clean, maintainable, and testable code following CI/CD and DevSecOps practices
• Contribute to system design discussions and technical decision-making
• Integrate services with databases, messaging systems, and external APIs
• Support troubleshooting, performance tuning, and continuous improvement
• Work closely with QA, DevOps, and platform teams to ensure reliable delivery
• Implement modern automated testing strategies, including unit, integration, contract, and end-to-end testing
• Use AI-assisted development tools to accelerate coding, refactoring, debugging, and test creation

Core Technical Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience)
• 12+ years of relevant experience or a Master’s Degree and 10+ years of relevant experience
• Hands-on experience building and supporting microservices-based systems
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (e.g., Java, Python, C++, or similar on a Linux-based system)
• Experience or exposure to AI/ML-enabled systems (Claude-Code), automation, or intelligent platforms.
• Experience working in Agile environments
• Understanding of APIs and distributed system concepts
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust
• U.S. citizenship required
• Successful completion of background investigations as required by the government customer

Preferred / Desired Qualifications

• Experience with Git-based version control and CI/CD pipelines
• Familiarity with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)
• Experience working with relational and/or NoSQL databases
• Hands-on experience with Kafka or other event-streaming technologies
• Cloud experience (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Containerization and orchestration experience (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience working in DevSecOps environments
• Experience with test automation frameworks and integration of automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines
• Desired but not required: Commutable distance to Gaithersburg, MD or Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

Why Leidos?

You’ll work on systems where performance, precision, and reliability matter — every second. This is not experimental AI for prototypes. This is disciplined, responsible AI applied to mission-critical software that supports national infrastructure.

If you’re excited by solving complex problems in regulated, real-world environments — and using AI as a force multiplier rather than a shortcut — we’d like to talk.

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.