Software Engineer - Kinetic Effects

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a talented Software Engineer in Huntsville to develop software for Tactical strike guided munition programs. You will create robust software frameworks and support fielding, maintenance, and mission-critical components such as analysis tools and mission planning software.

The role emphasizes full-stack design, system-level thinking, and collaboration with customers and engineers. Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain one is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with GPA 3.0+
• 4+ years of relevant technical experience
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain one
• Proven experience with C/C++
• Experience with Python and Java
• Strong software architecture understanding
• Excellent communication with leadership and customers

Responsibilities

• Design and implement full-stack software for missile system applications (guidance, navigation, control, telemetry, mission planning).
• Participate in design, code, and technical reviews to ensure quality and compliance.
• Support decisions on tools, frameworks, and development approaches.
• Mentor and develop junior software engineers.
• Ensure modular, reusable, portable, and maintainable software design.
• Engage in code reviews and enforce coding standards.
• Communicate with customers and team members regularly.
• Support flight test operations and post-test analysis.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Java

Software architecture

Mentor teammates

Education

Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Tools

CI/CD pipelines

Containerization

Microservices

MBSE

SysML

Job description

Description

Leidos is dedicated to making the world a safer place. This starts with helping our customers in the Defense Industry achieve their critical missions. Our dedicated Defense Group employees are solving critical challenges across the globe. At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.With offices across the United States engaging in the defense, space, cyber and commercial fields, Leidos provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific and IT solutions. Leidos is well known for our people-oriented culture, positive work environment, technical excellence, and resilient business ethics.

Description

Leidos is dedicated to making the world a safer place. This starts with helping our customers in the Defense Industry achieve their critical missions. Our dedicated Defense Group employees are solving critical challenges across the globe. At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.With offices across the United States engaging in the defense, space, cyber and commercial fields, Leidos provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific and IT solutions. Leidos is well known for our people-oriented culture, positive work environment, technical excellence, and resilient business ethics.
Leidos is seeking a talented Software Engineer to work in our Huntsville office. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to help develop software for Tactical strike guided munition programs.
This position focuses on the development of robust, innovative software frameworks, as well as the fielding, support, and maintenance of software products. Software products range from analysis tools/simulations, mission planning software, and components of mission-critical systems.
Primary Responsibilities

• Assist with design and implementation of full-stack software architecture and design patterns for missile system applications implementing major system functions (i.e. guidance, navigation, control, telemetry, and mission planning).
• Participate in technical reviews, design reviews, and code reviews to ensure quality and compliance.
• Support technical decisions on tools, frameworks, and development approaches.
• Mentor and develop junior software engineers.
• Ensure software design support modularity, reusability, portability, and maintainability requirements.
• Participate in code reviews, ensuring coding standards and best practices are applied.
• Direct communication with customers and team members will be required on a frequent basis.
• Support flight test operations and post-test analysis.
• Ensure adherence to military and aviation standards for safety, cybersecurity, and RMF.
  

Basic Qualifications

• Candidate must possess at least a bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent technical degree with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Candidate should have 4+ years of relevant technical experience.
• Active Secret clearance or ability to obtain one.
• Proven experience supporting software development teams on complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Demonstrable mid-level experience with C/C++ required.
• Experience with Python and Java.
• Deep understanding of software architecture patterns and design principles.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to present to senior leadership and government customers.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and systems-level thinking.
• Experience with software configuration management principles and techniques, software quality engineering concepts, good software standards and practices, and a strong understanding of why these are important.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with embedded missile systems, aerospace, or weapons systems development.
• Familiarity with real-time embedded systems.
• Strong experience with open systems concepts, architectures, and implementation
• Knowledge of Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles and application
• Experience with containerization, CI/CD pipelines, and microservices technology.
• Knowledge of guidance & control algorithms, navigation systems, mission planning systems (NOMS, JMPS), and sensors a huge plus.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and SysML.
  

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
August 7, 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 $87,100.00 - $157,450.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
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.
Securing Your Data
Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
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.