Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Mid-Level Defensive Cyber Software Developer 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 Mid-Level Defensive Cyber Software Developer will work with a diverse, highly skilled team to develop unique solutions for Cyber, EW, and PNT threats against US weapon systems. Our products are responsible for alerting our varied array of customers of potential cyber and EW attacks by creative Adversaries highly skilled at attacking. With that problem set in mind, our products need to be developed by equally creative minds that enjoy digging, researching, programming, questioning, and generally learning all they can do to do those exact things the Adversaries would.
This is a full-time position with the Leidos Cyber Electromagnetic Activity (CEMA) team that is based in Lawton, OK, and will require the candidate to be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Clearance.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Developing software and/or techniques in the protection of data and network capabilities, as well as detection of, identification of and response to attacks, including working toward the most effective methods to present those findings to the user.
- Research and development of signature and behavior-based defensive techniques against adversarial attacks on tactical networks.
- Developing technical solutions that require collaboration with internal experts, deep analyses and understanding of impact on end-product/solution.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in computer science, computer engineering, cyber engineering, or similar degree from an ABET-accredited program
- Minimum 4+ years of professional development in C, C++, Rust, Go, or similar compiled languages
- Minimum 2+ years of professional experience with Python and Bash or a similar scripting language.
- Comfortable with software build systems, such as CMake, Meson, or Bazel
- Experience with version control tools
- Experience with UI/UX development
- Familiarity with an iterative software design process, such as Agile and/or Continuous Delivery, as well as common tooling associated with the process, such as Jira and Jenkins
- A good understanding of networking – protocols at all layers of the networking stack and network architecture.
- Knowledge of general software development best practices
- Professional experience in Linux, up to and included basic administration
- Must be a US CITIZEN and able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Clearance
- Ability to travel to customer sites up to 20% of time
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience using Wireshark
- Firm Grasp of Cybersecurity as well as recent tracking of cyber events
- Certifications such as Network+, Security+, CySA+, Linux+
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:October 6, 2026For 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.
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, cyber engineering, or a similar field from an ABET-accredited program
- At least 4 years of professional development experience in C, C++, Rust, Go, or similar compiled languages
- At least 2 years of professional experience with Python and Bash or a similar scripting language
- Experience with software build systems such as CMake, Meson, or Bazel
- Experience with version control tools
- Experience with UI/UX development
- Familiarity with iterative software design processes such as Agile or Continuous Delivery, including Jira and Jenkins
- Understanding of networking protocols across all layers of the networking stack and network architecture
- Knowledge of general software development best practices
- Professional Linux experience, including basic administration
- Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance
- Ability to travel to customer sites up to 20% of the time
- Experience using Wireshark
- Strong cybersecurity knowledge and recent tracking of cyber events
- Certifications such as Network+, Security+, CySA+, or Linux+
Leidos Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Leidos and has not been reviewed or approved by Leidos.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, with multiple plan options, low office-visit copays in some plans, and access to mental health and wellness support tools. The availability of HSA/FSA options and employer contributions is positioned as a meaningful part of the total package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are framed as a strong component of total rewards, highlighted by a 401(k) match and immediate vesting in the standard package. The Employee Stock Purchase Plan is also presented as an additional long-term wealth-building feature.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle supports extend beyond core insurance, including wellness programs, fitness-related stipends, and assistance resources. Work flexibility and related perks are also included as part of the broader rewards experience.
Leidos Insights
What We Do
We Are Leidos For 50 years we have been tackling some of the biggest problems that face our nation and our world. OUR MISSION Through our culture of innovation and history of performance, we develop deep customer trust built on integrity and create enduring solutions that improve our world. Leidos is a science and technology solutions leader working to address some of the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and healthcare markets. The company’s 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $11.09 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2020. Leidos was cited for the meaningful work employees perform that is challenging, impactful, and aligned with our customers’ missions as reasons professionals want to work and stay at our company. Leidos has also been named to lists including Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity, Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women, Military Times Best for Vets Employers, and Ethisphere Institute’s World's Most Ethical Companies®. Employees enjoy career enrichment opportunities available through mobility and development and experience rewarding relationships with supportive supervisors and talented colleagues and customers. Employees appreciate our flexible work environment, allowing for and encouraging a true work-life balance. Our professionals are also excited about our Employee Resource Groups, like the newly launched Collaborative Outreach with Remote and Embedded Employees (CORE), which strives to create an environment where every employee, regardless of location, feels fully engaged as a valued employee of Leidos. Your most important work is ahead.
