Sr. Software Architect

Leidos; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 237,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

11 paid holidays

401K with 6% match

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Senior Software Architect to lead the development of sophisticated, secure software for a high‑performance system in the INTEL Sector’s CABA. You will guide architecture, oversee a team of developers, and work closely with program management, integration, testing and information assurance teams in an Agile setting.

Ideal candidates have 12+ years designing large, integrated systems, strong C++17/Qt/QML expertise, and a TS/SCI clearance or the ability to obtain it.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with strong software engineering background
• Security+ certification or ability to achieve within 90 days
• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI
• 10+ years leading development teams on large systems
• Experience with secure system architecture and CI/CD pipelines
• Proficiency in C++17, Qt/QML and modern databases
• Proficiency with testing tools and static analysis
• Strong communication and architectural decision skills

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of high‑performance software for classified systems
• Define architectural direction and monitor cost/schedule constraints
• Collaborate with program management, integration, testing and IA teams
• Oversee team coaching and ensure software quality and maintainability
• Engage in customer meetings and technical discussions
• Support CI/CD practices and secure software delivery

Skills

Software architecture

Security

C++

CI/CD

Git/GitLab

Qt/QML

Networking basics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related

Master’s degree in related field

Tools

JetBrains CLion

Visual Studio Code

GitLab Enterprise

GitLab CI/CD

CMake

vcpkg

SQLite

Job description

Description

Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Sr. Software Architect in our INTEL Sector's Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security!

The Senior Software Architect will lead the development of new capabilities for a complex, high‑performance system. This role oversees a team of developers, drives high‑level architectural decisions, and manages the full software development process in an Agile environment. The architect collaborates daily with program management, integration, testing, and information assurance teams, serving as the technical expert for system design. Responsibilities include defining architectural direction, evaluating requirements against cost and schedule constraints, and establishing strategies for application monitoring, infrastructure, interfaces, and critical business functions.

Position responsibilities will include:

• Designs, develops, documents, tests and debugs applications software and systems thatcontainlogical and mathematical solutions.
• Conducts multidisciplinary research and collaborates with equipment designers and/or hardware engineers in the planning, design, development, andutilizationof electronic data processing systems for product and commercial software.
• Determinescomputer user needs; analyzes system capabilities to resolve problems on program intent, output requirements, input data acquisition, programmingtechniquesand controls; prepares operating instructions; designs and develops compilers and assemblers, utility programs, and operating systems.
• Formulate software designs that create solutions meeting various desired outcomes (both current and future) while balancing the goals and constraints on the solutions (i.e.customer environment, cybersecurity, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD), etc.).
• Manage change to the software architecture and control software complexity.
• Make software architecture and solutions as flexible as possible.
• Defend against, whenappropriate, suggested changes to the software architecture that introduce undue complexity or future supportability issues.
• Assistwith trade off analyses of increased complexity.
• Oversee and support the coaching and training of team members to ensure all necessary employees are confident in the use of software applications.
• Participate and lead discussions at customer meetings, working groups, and technical interchange meetings associated with the work performed in this project.
• Optionto work a 9/80 work schedule (i.e.,9-hourdays, then work 8 hours on first Friday and off the second Friday).

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science,Software Engineering, or Information Systemsor a related field and at least12+ years of related experience orMaster’s Degreewithat least10+years of relevant experience.Additionalexperience may be substituted for aDegree.
• Security + Certification or will need to achieve within 90 days.
• Must have an active Secret clearance and the ability to obtain a TS/SCI
• Minimum of12+years of experience designing and developing large integrated classified systems.
• Minimum of10+years of experience leading development teams.
• Possessa solid understanding of secure systemsarchitectureand development.
• Proven professional experience analyzing code for weaknesses anderrors, andoverseeing plans to improve them.
• Must be comfortable working on multiple systems and components simultaneously in various configurations.
• Experience with code development software tools to include: JetBrains CLion, Visual Studio Code, Git and Gitlab Enterprise (repository hosting).
• Experience with build and deployment (CI/CD) to include: GitLab Enterprise (CI/CD), CMake and vcpkg.
• Experience with application software stacks to include: Qt/QML, C++17, SQLite, NNG and Google Protocol Buffers
• Experience with Testing and Quality Assurance to include: Catch2, Clang-Format, CPPLint, FlawFinder, Valgrind and Clang-Tidy.
• Experience with database management software, such as MySQL, Oracle RDBMS, and Microsoft SQL Server.
• Scripting skills with knowledge of programming languages, such as Perl, Ruby, and Python.
• Must be able to effectively plan and prioritize tasking and communicate clearly regardingtechnical options and trade-offs.
• Must be capable of performing systems architecture activities in support of Agile/SCRUM teams.

Desired Qualifications:

• Good knowledge of networking protocols, such as TCP, IP, and OSI models.
• Understanding of Cryptography
• Familiarity with SKLs and ECUs

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 $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.