Senior Software Engineer - Linux Backend and Automation

Leonardo DRS; Germantown (MD); On-site; USD 107,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development support

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Leonardo DRS in Germantown, MD is hiring a Senior Software Engineer for Linux backend and automation. You will develop Python tools, support Linux-based systems, and apply AI-assisted workflows to boost engineering productivity. The role requires US citizenship and the ability to obtain a DoD security clearance.

Join a team building radar and defense software, collaborating across backend, platform, and systems domains with a focus on debugging, testing, and documentation in Linux environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in CS/Software Eng.
• 5+ years of professional software development experience.
• Strong Python proficiency and Linux environment experience.
• Experience building backend services, internal tools, automation, APIs, or engineering-support software.
• Familiarity with Linux command-line tools, shell scripting, build/debug workflows, services, logs, and system behavior.
• Exposure to AI-assisted development tools or AI-enabled automation used to support software development.

Responsibilities

• Develop Python-based tools, scripts, services, and utilities to improve development, testing, troubleshooting, and support workflows.
• Support software integration and troubleshooting across Linux-based systems using CLI, scripts, services, and network concepts.
• Apply AI-assisted development tools to improve code analysis, documentation, or engineering productivity.
• Write testable, production-quality code and support deployment, logging, debugging, and documentation in Linux environments.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams during design and code reviews, mentoring, and engineering best practices.
• Design, build, test, and maintain Linux-based backend software and automation workflows as needed.

Skills

Python proficiency

Linux

Backend development

AI tools exposure

C/C++/Rust/Go

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Job description

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Senior Software Engineer - Linux Backend and Automation

Location: Germantown, MD, US, 20876

Job ID: 114693

DRS RADA Technologies, a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, is focused on proprietary radar solutions and legacy avionics systems supporting the defense industry globally. The company is a global pioneer of AESA tactical radars for active military protection, counter-drone applications, critical infrastructure protection, and border surveillance.

Job Summary

Join DRS RADA, a global pioneer in AESA tactical radar, as a Software Engineer III focused on Linux-based backend software, engineering automation, and tools that support complex software systems. This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who is comfortable building, integrating, and troubleshooting software in Linux environments, with an emphasis on improving development, integration, testing, diagnostics, documentation, and support workflows.

You will also apply AI-assisted tools and workflows where they can improve engineering productivity, such as code analysis, document search, summarization, knowledge retrieval, classification, or workflow automation. The role emphasizes applying AI-assisted tools to practical engineering workflows rather than AI/ML research or model development; the primary need is a strong software engineer with Linux experience, Python proficiency, practical debugging skills, and the ability to work across backend, platform, and system-level concerns.

What you'll do:

• Develop Python-based tools, scripts, services, and utilities that improve development, integration, testing, troubleshooting, diagnostics, documentation, and support workflows
• Support software integration and troubleshooting across complex Linux-based systems using command-line tools, shell scripting, services, logs, build/debug workflows, system diagnostics, and networking concepts
• Apply AI-assisted development tools, LLM-based workflows, or AI-enabled automation to support code analysis, document search, summarization, classification, troubleshooting, documentation, or engineering productivity
• Write testable, maintainable, production-quality code and support deployment, logging, debugging, documentation, and operational troubleshooting in Linux environments
• Collaborate with software, platform, systems, test, UI, and domain teams while contributing to design reviews, code reviews, mentoring, and sound engineering practices
• Design, build, test, and maintain Linux-based backend software, internal tools, automation workflows, engineering-support applications, and platform or systems-oriented software components as needed

What you bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of professional software development experience
• Strong Python proficiency and experience building software in Linux environments
• Experience building backend services, internal tools, automation, APIs, or engineering-support software
• Practical understanding of Linux command-line tools, shell scripting, build/debug workflows, services, logs, and system behavior
• Familiarity with networking concepts and troubleshooting in Linux environments
• Exposure to AI-assisted development tools, LLM-based workflows, or AI-enabled automation used to support software development, troubleshooting, documentation, or engineering productivity
• Ability and willingness to work with C, C++, Rust, Go, or similar backend/systems-oriented languages as needed

U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

The salary range for this position is $107,089.00-$155,000.00. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours.

Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Our Vision. To be the leading mid-tier defense technology company in the U.S.

Our Values. The Leonardo DRS culture is defined by our Core Values and Principles:

• Integrity
• Agility
• Excellence
• Customer Focus
• Community & Respect
• Innovation

We strive to uphold them in all aspects of our business practices to inspire our employees and provide outstanding support for our customers.