Leidos is seeking a Lead Software Developer, who will be a member of a dynamic team in Gaithersburg, MD, working on the development/maintenance of software that improves aircraft runway and terminal congestion.
Nationwide congestion is increasing, and the need for efficient aircraft traffic planning is critical. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) is the surface management solution that will provide NextGen Air Traffic Control capabilities to improve air traffic operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). The Terminal Flight Data Management (TFDM) program is a Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) NextGen program based on airport surface management that provides efficiency for both the airport surface and terminal airspace by providing a new and comprehensive integrated surface traffic control and management system. We are a team of forward-looking professionals in need of a strong candidate with these key required skills: Modern Development (PHP, Python, Java), Structured Data (XML, XSD, XSLT, JSON, CSV), Agile / Scrum development, Drupal, relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle).
TFDM functions include Surface Collaborative Decision making (SCDM), departure scheduler and other airport decision tools Electronic Flight Data (EFD); Enhanced Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Traffic Flow Management System (TFMS) Replacement or integration of multiple systems in the National Airspace System (NAS). TFDM will share data among controllers, aircraft operators, and airports so they can better stage arrivals and departures and manage traffic flow within terminal airspace for greater efficiency. Stakeholders will have a shared awareness of flights on the ground and in the air, the ability to exchange data electronically, with the goal of a continuous real-time picture of traffic volume and airport resources, making flights more efficient from gate to gate.
Responsibilities:
- Architect, design, develop, and implement next-generation application using software engineering best practices in the latest technologies:
- Infrastructure-as-Code and Configuration-as-Code (Terraform, Ansible)
- Content Management System (Drupal, WordPress)
- DevOps and CI/CD tooling (Bamboo, Docker, SonarQube, Ansible)
- Provide software expertise in one or more of these areas: application integration, RESTful services, Drupal administration, security, workflow automation, module integration, user experience (UX), and accessibility compliance (Section 508/WCAG/USDS standards).
- Investigate and repair application defects regardless of component: automation, front-end, business logic, middleware, or database (PL/SQL and Data Modeling).
- Brief management, customer, team, or vendors using written or oral skills at appropriate technical level for audience
- All other duties as assigned or directed
FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS (Basic Qualifications)
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, mathematics, engineering, or related technical discipline. Master’s or Doctorate degree may substitute for required experience.
- 5+ years of combined experience with modern software development (PHP, Python, Java)
- 3+ years of combined experience with web development and building responsive UIs with modern front-end technologies
- Experience working in Agile software development environments.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
FACTORS TO HELP YOU SHINE (Required Skills)
These skills will help you succeed in this position:
- Solid understanding of modern PHP frameworks (Drupal, Laravel, Symfony).
- Experience developing modern PHP applications using object-oriented programming principles and contemporary PHP language features including typed properties and union types.
- Proven experience designing, developing, and maintaining software applications used to create, validate, transform, and manage structured data formats including JSON, CSV, XML, XSD, and XSLT.
- Demonstrated knowledge of XML schema design (XSD), XSLT transformations, and structured data validation techniques.
- Experience with automated testing methodologies including unit, integration, and behavior-driven testing using tools such as PHPUnit, Behat/Cucumber, Selenium, or equivalent frameworks.
- Solid knowledge of front-end technologies including HTML5, JavaScript/TypeScript, CSS3, and responsive UI development principles.
- Strong experience in automating tasks with scripting languages like Bash, Shell, or Python
- Experience in use of the UNIX and Linux operating systems
- Experience using DevOps and CI/CD tools including Git/Bitbucket, Bamboo/Jenkins, SonarQube, and automated build/deployment pipelines.
HOW TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD (Desired Skills)
Showcase your knowledge of modern development through the following experience or skills:
- Strong experience with Ansible Automation and authoring playbooks and roles for installing, maintaining, or upgrading platforms
- Experience building, packaging, and deploying software applications in Linux environments using RPM-based distribution mechanisms.
- Experience deploying or supporting applications in AWS cloud environments, related certifications.
- Experience with AI assisted software development.
- Experience using Atlassian collaboration and development tools including Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and Bamboo.
- Experience with relational databases including PostgreSQL, MySQL , and Oracle including SQL optimization and ORM technologies such as Doctrine or Eloquent.
- Experience with FAA and air traffic domain knowledge.
- Willingness to travel to customer sites
ATMC
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:May 15, 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, software engineering, mathematics, engineering, or related technical discipline.
- 5+ years of combined experience with modern software development (PHP, Python, Java).
- 3+ years of combined experience with web development and building responsive UIs.
- Experience working in Agile software development environments.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.
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.
