Principal Lead Software Engineer

Saic; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SAIC in Colorado Springs, CO is seeking a Principal Lead Software Engineer to lead software design, development, and testing across 2–4 mission-critical projects in a rapid prototyping environment.

The role balances hands-on coding with team leadership, setting software development standards, and guiding secure, scalable cloud-native solutions using Kubernetes, Kafka, and microservices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field with 15+ years of software development; or Master’s with 13+ years.
• 7+ years in back-end (Python, Java, C#, Go) and/or front-end (React, Angular, Vue.js, HTML5/CSS3) development.
• Expertise in cloud-native architecture across multi-cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, DAF Cloudworks, GCP).
• Proficient with Git, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, Helm for DevSecOps.
• Experience building RESTful/GraphQL APIs, microservices, event-driven (Kafka, RabbitMQ).
• CI/CD automation with testing, security scanning, and deployment workflows.
• Knowledge of testing tools (JMeter, Selenium, Jest).
• Leadership: 3+ years leading software teams on 2–4 projects; 3+ years govt/defense experience; strong stakeholder collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead software design, development, and testing for 2–4 mission-critical projects with on-time delivery.
• Define software requirements, architecture, and deliverables with stakeholders.
• Guide teams in cloud-native apps, web front ends, and scalable back ends using Agile methods.
• Act as escalation point; conduct code reviews and ensure alignment with goals.
• Collaborate across DevSecOps, software, and data to build secure pipelines with Kubernetes, Kafka, and microservices.
• Standardize software development practices across projects and improve tools/workflows.
• Promote secure development practices, including vulnerability scanning and continuous testing.
• Contribute hands-on by writing code and delivering architectural proofs of concept.

Skills

Backend languages

Frontend frameworks

Cloud-native architecture

DevSecOps tools

APIs & microservices

CI/CD automation

Testing tools

Leadership

Govt/defense experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Engineering

Master’s degree

Tools

Git

Jenkins

Docker

Kubernetes

Terraform

Helm

Kafka

RabbitMQ

Job description

Description

SAIC is seeking an experienced Principal Lead Software Engineeronsite in Colorado Springs, CO to serve as theSoftware Leadfor multiple mission-critical software development projects. Reporting directly tothe Lead Systems Engineer, you will be responsible for providing guidance, technical direction, and leadership across several software development efforts in arapid prototyping environment. This role will balance hands-on technical contributions, team leadership, and input on software development best practices at the project level.

This position focuses on leading and delivering software efforts formultiple projects, while also collaborating with the broader technical organization to define and refine software development standards, practices, and tools for consistent implementation across the program.

Responsibilities

Project-Specific Leadership and Delivery:

• Lead software design, development, and testing for 2–4 mission-critical projects, ensuring technical excellence and on-time delivery.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define software requirements, architecture, and deliverables.
• Guide development teams in implementing cloud-native applications, web front ends, and scalable back ends using Agile methodologies.
• Act as a technical escalation point, conducting code reviews, resolving issues, and maintaining adherence to project goals.
• Work with engineers across disciplines (DevSecOps, software, data) to build secure pipelines and deliver solutions utilizing Kubernetes, Kafka, and microservices.

Standards and Alignment:

• Work with leadership and senior technical staff to establish and standardize software development practices across projects.
• Define and improve development tools, frameworks, and workflows to enhance productivity, quality, and security.
• Promote and implement secure development practices, including secure coding, vulnerability scanning (e.g., Trivy), and continuous testing.
• Provide critical feedback on code, processes, and designs during reviews and evaluations.

Hands-On Contributions as Needed:

• Contribute to development by writing key code, resolving complex technical challenges, and creating architectural proofs of concept.
• Support rapid prototyping and provide engineering assistance during high-pressure development cycles.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field and 15+ years of software development experience, or Master’s with 13+ years of experience.
• 7+ years of experience in back-end (Python, Java, C#, Go) and/or front-end (React, Angular, Vue.js, HTML5/CSS3) development.
• Expertise in cloud-native architecture and multi-cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, DAF Cloudworks, GCP).
• Proficient with DevSecOps tools: Git, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, Helm.
• Skilled in building RESTful/GraphQL APIs, microservices, and event-driven architectures (Kafka, RabbitMQ).
• Experience automating CI/CD pipelines with testing, security scanning, and deployment workflows.
• Knowledgeable in testing tools (JMeter, Selenium, Jest) for unit and end-to-end testing.
• Leadership and Collaboration Skills:
  • Minimum 3+ yearsof experience leading software development teamson 2–4 projects or prototypes simultaneously.
  • 3+ yearsworking with government, defense, and intelligence project development requirements and processes.
  • Experience partnering withProgram Leadership, other technical leads, and SMEs to establish consistent standards and ensure quality across assigned project teams.
  • Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, including experience with internal and external stakeholders.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Cloud certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect.

Target salary range: $160,001 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.