Software Engineering Branch Manager

Leidos; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos's Huntsville-based Software Engineering and Applications Department seeks a talented Software Engineering Branch Manager who can balance branch leadership with hands-on project duties. The manager will model ethics, discipline and effective communication while coordinating with department management and pursuing business development opportunities when asked.

Ideal candidates will bring 8+ years of technical experience, 3+ years in leading teams, and a solid understanding of the software

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related technical field.
• 8+ years of relevant technical experience.
• 3+ years or relevant experience leading teams and managing resources for software development.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and team leadership skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate with team members.
• Understanding of the software development life cycle and rapid development techniques.
• Ability to multi-task and contribute to industry events, white papers and competitive proposals.
• Basic understanding of software engineering processes and systems engineering principles.

Responsibilities

• Branch management responsibilities include approving timesheets, meetings with employees, monitoring coverage, mentoring juniors, and working with Department management.
• Lead by example in ethics, attitude and discipline; keep management informed of critical issues.
• Handle project responsibilities in addition to branch management as the role is not full-time solely for branch management.

Education

Bachelor's Degree or higher in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, MIS, or related field

Job description

Description

The Software Engineering and Applications Department within the Huntsville Defense Sector Engineering Matrix currently has a special job opening for a talented Software Engineering Branch Manager. Branch Management would not be the full-time focus of the employee, so the ideal candidate will need to be able to multi-task both project and leadership responsibilities. The Manager must lead by example in ethics, attitude and discipline; he/she must keep management informed of critical issues and play a part in business development opportunities when requested.

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.

Primary Responsibilities

• This Branch leadership position is dynamic, requiring assertiveness, strong technical competence, flexibility, prioritization abilities, personal drive and energy, and self-discipline.
• Branch management responsibilities include, but are not limited to: approving timesheets, meeting with employees regularly, monitoring employees’ coverage, being knowledgeable of employees’ career goals, meeting with employees for yearly appraisals, mentoring junior employees, and working closely with Department management.
• In addition to Branch manager responsibilities, the candidate will also need to handle project responsibilities since the Branch manager responsibilities are not a full-time role.

Basic Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree or higher degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Computer Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field is required.
• Candidate should have 8+ years of relevant technical experience.
• Candidate should have 3+ years or relevant experience leading teams and managing resources for software development.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and team leadership skills.
• Candidate must demonstrate their ability to work independently, collaborate closely with team members, discern efficient roles and tasks for their team members, think critically, act confidently and judiciously, exercise impeccable judgement, consistently make rational decisions, and impart a productive sense of urgency to others.
• Understanding of the software development life cycle, its phases, life cycle models, metrics or performance indicators, and techniques for rapid development while ensuring high-quality solutions and on-time results.
• Able to multi-task and willing to work with teammates to contribute directly to industry events, white papers and competitive proposals.
• Basic understanding of software engineering process and the appropriateness of its use, application, and proper methods of tailoring.
• Basic understanding of systems engineering principles and practices relevant to software.

Clearance Qualification

• Candidate must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance (interim and final).

Preferred Experience, Skills Or Abilities

• Software Development: Experience with planning, specification, design, development, integration, installation/deployment, and maintenance of software for airborne systems, mission planning systems, missile/weapon platforms, uncrewed or autonomous systems, and/or ground control/support systems.
• User Experience Programming Languages: Basic knowledge in one or more programming languages used in applications and front-end software, such as JavaScript, C#, Java or Python.
• Agile Development: Experience as Product Owner, Scrum Master, or Developer performing software product development using Agile development methodologies within one or more Agile tools such as Atlassian Jira, Trello, Monday.com.
• Agentic AI: Experience using and influencing the adoption of tools like Anthropic’s Claude Code, OpenAI’s Codex or other coding agents to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to comprehend changes, characterize impact and assess risk to plans or existing solutions, estimate their level of effort and resources, describe (written and verbal) courses of action (COA) or decision analysis, and facilitate team consensus.
• Collaboration: Work responsibly, reliably and independently in a fast-paced, open, collaborative cross-functional cross-organizational environment without direct oversight.
• Transparency: Elicit, accept, and provide constructive informal feedback amongst other team members to uphold technical excellence and quality workmanship.

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

September 28, 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 $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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.