Principal Software Engineer/Tech Lead

GCyber; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave

Parental leave

401(k) matching

Health insurance

Professional development

Parking allowance

Job summary

GCyber is recruiting a Principal Software Engineer/Team Lead to drive migration to a high-security cloud environment for a government customer. You will lead multiple Agile teams, translate mission outcomes into technical plans, and implement secure API pipelines with CI/CD and automation.

You will define long-term technical strategy, oversee scalable and secure software solutions, and mentor senior engineers while collaborating with product, design, and operations to align roadmaps.

Qualifications

• Active DoD TS/SCI security clearance.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with 12+ years experience or more.
• IAT II Certification (e.g. Security+, CySA+, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP).
• Proven ability to lead multiple teams and deliver complex software systems.
• Strong leadership, organization, and documentation skills.
• Hands‑on SDLC with automated testing, CI/CD, and modern software delivery practices.
• Experience with JavaScript, GitLab, Jenkins, Ansible, Python, Java, YAML, Terraform.
• Extensive experience designing and deploying DevOps pipelines with Bitbucket, Git, Jenkins, Ansible (or equivalents).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management; prior DISA experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering teams to translate mission outcomes into delivery plans and sprint goals.
• Oversee secure API development, data pipelines, and CI/CD pipeline automation.
• Define long-term technical strategy and architectural direction across teams.
• Drive automated testing, observability, and security controls; ensure release management.
• Mentor senior engineers; manage performance and career development.
• Collaborate with product and business stakeholders to align roadmaps and execution.
• Establish standards, governance, and best practices for software development.
• Promote responsible adoption of generative AI tools across engineering teams.
• Communicate technical vision and risks to senior leadership.

Skills

Agile workflows

Technical leadership

CI/CD

DevSecOps

Release management

Cross-functional collaboration

Jira usage

Architecture direction

Team leadership

Secure API development

Cloud migration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

GitLab

Jenkins

Ansible Automation

Python

Java

Terraform

PSSQL

Job description

GCyber is seeking a Principal Software Engineer/Tech Lead, to help support our government customer. In this role, you’ll help drive migration to a high-security cloud environment, delivering key capabilities such as network and communication services, monitoring services, and system administration.

As the Principal Software Engineer/Team Lead, you will:

• Engineering
  • Experience in working on teams utilizing Agile workflows and processes
  • Translate mission outcomes and prioritized product backlog items into technical delivery plans and sprint goals
  • Lead development and integration of secure APIs, data pipelines (structured/unstructured)
  • Experience with software development languages/environments such as: JavaScript. GitLab, Jenkins, Ansible Automation, Python, JavaScript, Java, PSSQL, YAML, and Terraform
  • Develop automated CI/CD build/deployment pipelines using Jenkins, Ansible and Bitbucket.
  • 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 multiple 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

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

• Active DoD TS/SCI security clearance.
• BA and 12+ years of experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• IAT II Certification (e.g. Security+, CySA+, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP)
• Proven track record of leading multiple teams and delivering complex software systems
• Demonstrated leadership skills and attention to detail, including excellent organizational and documented skills
• 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, Python, JavaScript, 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
• Previous experience tracking projects in Jira or equicalent Agile Project Management software.
• Prior experience engineering solutions for DISA and its mission partners, preferred.

Our Benefits

GCyber is committed to the well‑being and development of every employee. Our benefits are designed to support your personal and professional goals, from health and wellness programs to retirement savings and career development opportunities. Highlights include:

• 26 Days of Paid Leave + Annual PTO Increase
• An extra day of paid leave for every year of employment with GCyber
• Paid Parental Leave
• Additional Leave Allowances for Military Duty, Jury Duty, and Bereavement Leave
• 401(k) Matching
• 100% Company‑funded Disability Insurance
• 90% Company-Funded Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance, with contributions to insurance benefits for spouses, children, and family members
• Training and Professional Development Plans
• Commuter Benefits Plan
• Parking and Transportation Allowance

Equal Opportunity Employer

GCyber is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This means you don't have to worry about whether your application process will be fair. We consider all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.