Software Engineer - Kinetic Effects

Society of Defense Financial Management; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Huntsville is seeking a Software Engineer to develop robust software for tactical strike guided munition programs. You will work on full‑stack architectures for missile systems, including guidance, navigation, and mission planning, while ensuring safety and cybersecurity compliance.

The role requires a bachelor’s in a related field and at least 4 years of experience, U.S. citizenship, and eligibility for DoD clearance. Residency in North Alabama or relocation is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical field with GPA 3.0+
• 4+ years of relevant technical experience
• U.S. citizen eligible for DoD clearance
• Experience developing/testing embedded software interfacing with embedded systems
• Resident of North Alabama or willing to relocate to Huntsville-North Alabama
• Mid-level experience with C/C++
• Experience with Python or Java
• Experience with software configuration management
• Experience with software quality engineering
• Solid software standards and practices

Responsibilities

• Design and implement full-stack software architecture for missile system applications (guidance, navigation, control, telemetry, planning)
• Participate in design/code reviews to ensure quality and standards
• Support tool/framework decisions and development approaches
• Mentor junior software engineers
• Ensure modularity, portability, and maintainability of software
• Collaborate with customers and team members regularly
• Support flight test operations and post-test analysis
• Adhere to safety, cybersecurity, and RMF requirements

Skills

C/C++

Python

Java

Software engineering

Embedded systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics

Tools

Containerization

CI/CD pipelines

Microservices

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.

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.


• Candidate must be a U.S. citizen and be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance.


• Relevant technical experience must include developing, integrating, testing, or troubleshooting embedded software or embedded-adjacent applications that interface with, operate, monitor, support, simulate, control, or communicate with embedded systems.


• Must be a resident of North Alabama or willing to relocate to the Huntsville‑North Alabama area.


• Experience supporting software development teams on multi‑disciplinary projects.


• Demonstrable mid‑level experience with C/C++ required.


• Experience with Python or Java.


• Experience with software configuration management principles and techniques.


• Experience with software quality engineering concepts.


• Experience with good software standards and practices.

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.


• Knowledge of navigation systems.


• Knowledge of mission planning systems (NOMS, JMPS).


• Knowledge of sensors used in guidance, navigation, or mission planning systems.


• 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.

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.

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.