We are seeking a Principal Rust Software Engineer to design and develop high-performance, analytics-driven systems supporting mission-critical research and product development initiatives.
This role provides technical leadership in modern software engineering, leveraging Rust-based systems programming, data-intensive architectures, and advanced analytics pipelines to deliver scalable, resilient, and production-ready capabilities. You will work across the full lifecycle—from concept and prototyping to productization—enabling rapid innovation and transition into operational environments.
The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in systems programming, data processing, and applied analytics, along with experience in Agile environments and continuous delivery practices. You will integrate analytics, software, and infrastructure into cohesive solutions that address complex technical challenges.
Primary Responsibilities
- Serve as a technical thought leader in systems programming, analytics, and modern software development practices.
- Design and develop high-performance applications in Rust, emphasizing safety, concurrency, and efficiency.
- Architect and implement data pipelines, analytics frameworks, and real-time processing systems to support R&D and product initiatives.
- Leverage open-source and commercial tools to build scalable, modular, and reusable software components.
- Apply software engineering best practices to ensure integration across infrastructure, applications, and data systems.
- Collaborate within Agile teams, participating in daily scrums and frequent technical exchanges.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex system, performance, and data challenges.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks across research and product development efforts.
- Rapidly prototype and iterate on new ideas, transitioning successful concepts into production-grade solutions.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of relevant technical experience in software engineering, systems engineering, data science, or related fields (additional years experience may substitute for degree).
- Strong experience developing in Rust (or equivalent systems languages such as C++ with willingness to transition).
- Experience building data-intensive applications, analytics platforms, or distributed systems.
- Proficiency with modern software development practices, including CI/CD and Agile methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems and bring structure to ambiguous or unstructured data challenges.
- Experience with data processing, analytics, or machine learning frameworks (e.g., Python ecosystem, Spark, or similar).
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline.
- Experience in research environments, including rapid prototyping and experimental system development.
- Familiarity with high-performance computing, distributed systems, or edge computing architectures.
- Experience translating R&D concepts into production-ready products or platforms.
- Background working with cross-functional teams, including researchers, product managers, and external partners.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance
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:April 24, 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.
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.
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