The Role
Lead and mentor software and systems engineering teams building Navy tactical warfare and weapons systems. Own technical vision, SDLC delivery, cloud-native and containerized deployments, and cross-functional collaboration with customers and leadership. Drive process improvements, program execution, technical demonstrations, and introduce AI capabilities while ensuring schedule, cost, and compliance objectives are met.
Summary Generated by Built In
About The Role:
Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking a Senior Engineering Lead to be part of our Warfare Systems team and based out of our Arlington, VA location.
Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking a Senior Engineering Lead to be part of our Warfare Systems team and based out of our Arlington, VA location.
The Senior Engineering Lead will be responsible for leading teams in technically challenging environments, including executive steering, project management, software development, data analysis, contract/fiscal management, combat systems, and sensor development, as well as employee development. The Senior Engineering Lead will be equally comfortable navigating executive leaders and leading teams through the meaningful technical challenges and schedules. The Senior Engineer Lead will support Program Management and Business Area leadership across all IDT functions, including contracts, finance, engineering, and business leadership, to ensure projects perform properly and adhere to corporate processes. The ideal candidate has experience performing across all elements of the software development life cycle (SDLC) from preliminary system analysis to test and deployment.
The ideal candidate will be fiercely accountable for the delivery of well-architected and production-ready solutions that exceed the customer’s requirements.
The Warfare Systems business area is one of six mission-critical business units within the IDT organization and is directly responsible for building, testing, validating, and deploying the Navy’s next generation of tactical warfare and weapons systems. As the nation enters the ‘technology-first’ era of warfare, the Warfare Systems group will be responsible for enabling and accelerating the mission-critical tactical capability that is delivered to the warfighter. The Warfare System Senior Engineering Lead will provide critical technical leadership to our team of software and systems engineers building tactically relevant and technically innovative solutions to ensure the highest impact to the US Navy.
Clearance & Location Requirements:
- All applicants must currently possess an ACTIVE Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
- This is an on-site position. Requiring at least 2 days in the office, based out of our Arlington, VA location.
Key Responsibilities
What You Will Do:
- Technical Collaboration: Work across projects ensuring consistent direction and progress with consistent solution & product capability build out. Collaboration with IDT peers and external customers will be a critical part of this role.
- Technical Vision and Strategy: Develop and execute the long-term technical roadmap, including the improvement of and adoption of new technologies, architectures, and development practices. Interact with customers to elicit, refine and document technical requirements. You’ll directly support the introduction of AI methodologies and tooling into existing IDT products and processes.
- Process Improvement: Drive internal cultural and process improvement to enhance team efficiency, transparency, and product quality.
- Program and Project Leadership: Lead the full lifecycle of complex engineering projects, from initial concept and strategic planning to deployment and sustainment.
- Team Leadership and Mentorship: Lead, manage, and mentor a diverse team of software engineers, systems engineers, and technical staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and high performance.
- Delivers Results: You’ll directly support the Warfare Systems Business Area lead in growing existing customer relationships and the application of ATRT Technologies to existing customers.
- Manages Ambiguity: Operates effectively through ambiguous priorities and when the way forward is not clear
- Demonstrate Solutions: Leads customized product reviews and technical demonstrations with customers and IDT stakeholders; Articulates value and opportunity to customers. Present to IDT leadership on project cost, schedule, and technical progress.
- Makes an Impact: Achieves outcomes to advance IDT business objectives and customer strategic objectives
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
Who You Are (Required):
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent full-time professional experience
- Familiarity with Navy Tactical Systems, including AEGIS Weapon System, Ship Self Defense System (SSDS), or other Navy sensor and weapons systems
- 10+ years of full-time professional experience, including experience leading technical teams across a variety of technology platforms and programming languages such as Python, Java, C++, and modern web technology stacks
- Relevant experience building and deploying cloud-native solutions within commercial cloud environments, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure
- Experience building and deploying cloud-native applications on Kubernetes platforms, including proficiency with containerized orchestration methods and familiarity with Linux operating environments
- Ability to travel up to 25% as needed
- Strong sense of ownership, urgency, and initiative, with the ability to translate complex or ambiguous requirements into effective technical solutions
- Proven problem-solving skills with the ability to define requirements, scope projects, and independently deliver solutions
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across technical and non-technical teams and clearly explain complex concepts to diverse audiences
- Demonstrated ability to build strong cross-functional relationships across engineering, security, compliance, and other stakeholder groups
- Strong attention to detail while maintaining awareness of broader organizational and technical objectives
- Ability to navigate ambiguity and make sound technical and operational decisions in fast-paced environments
- Excellent oral, written, and technical communication skills
- Demonstrated leadership capability, including developing strategic plans of action, building and leading teams to execute against those plans, and effectively communicating progress and priorities across all levels of the organization
What Makes You Stand Out:
- Master’s degree in computer science, engineering, or other technical field is highly desired.
- Familiar with Agentic AI methodologies and Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Proven past performance leading technical teams in fast-paced, challenging environments, with Navy systems and government program offices.
- Familiar with Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) methodologies
If you see yourself reflected in this role and are excited about the impact you could make, we encourage you to apply! If you know someone who may be a great fit, please feel free to share this opportunity with your network.
Pay Range*: $164,000 - $273,000 or $198,000 - $328,000
This amount may not be reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, as pay is dependent on a candidate’s experience, skills, and education. The posted range does not include bonuses, commissions, tips, or other benefits. IDT is often looking to place multiple candidates at various levels. Therefore, more than one pay range has been included, commensurate with experience.
Job Benefits
Why Work at Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT):
IDT is a growing company with a vibrant, entrepreneurial culture. We are headquartered in Arlington, VA with additional offices in Fall River, MA; Mount Laurel, NJ; and San Diego, CA. At each location, our employees work together in a modern, snack-filled, and social office space, designing innovative solutions for our defense industry customers. We offer employees competitive pay and benefits including:
IDT is a growing company with a vibrant, entrepreneurial culture. We are headquartered in Arlington, VA with additional offices in Fall River, MA; Mount Laurel, NJ; and San Diego, CA. At each location, our employees work together in a modern, snack-filled, and social office space, designing innovative solutions for our defense industry customers. We offer employees competitive pay and benefits including:
- Generous benefits package
- Competitive PTO
- Paid holidays
- 401(k) with immediate vesting and matching
- 9/80 optional schedule (2nd and 4th Friday off every month)
- Tuition Assistance Reimbursement Program
- Professional Development Resources
- Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
- Organization-Wide Monthly Tech Connect Events
- Annual Employee Recognition Awards
- Regular Social Events and Catered Lunches
EEO Statement:
IDT is an Equal Opportunity employer.
About
Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT) is a leading defense technology company focused on rapidly delivering mission-critical software and systems solutions to the U.S. government. The company specializes in automation, digital engineering, and enabling the rapid integration of advanced capabilities into complex weapon and combat systems. These essential solutions empower the warfighter to field, operate, and sustain decisive capability at speed and scale. At IDT, our employees are developing advanced mission-critical outcomes by consistently delivering high-quality results, fostering innovation, applying rigorous problem-solving, and effectively collaborating across multifaceted teams and stakeholders. Grounded in these competencies, IDT translates complex customer priorities into robust software solutions.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Active Secret U.S. Security Clearance
- On-site (Arlington, VA) presence at least 2 days per week
- 10+ years of professional experience with leading technical teams
- Experience across full software development lifecycle (SDLC) from analysis to test and deployment
- Familiarity with Navy tactical systems, e.g., AEGIS Weapon System or Ship Self Defense System (SSDS)
- Proficiency with Python, Java, C++, and modern web technology stacks
- Experience building and deploying cloud-native solutions in AWS and Microsoft Azure
- Experience with Kubernetes, containerized orchestration, and Linux environments
- Ability to travel up to 25%
- Demonstrated leadership, mentorship, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Master's degree in CS, engineering, or technical field
- Familiarity with Agentic AI methodologies and Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies
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The Company
What We Do
WHO WE ARE Innovative Defense Technologies -IDT- provides automated software testing, data analysis, and cybersecurity solutions for the DOD's mission-critical systems. Using patented Automated Test and ReTest (ATRT) technology, we support the entire software testing lifecycle from component testing, to system integration and testing, to the analysis of results. Our automated test and analysis solutions enable the rapid update and delivery of large, complex systems. Our technologies offer: -Rapid system configuration assessment and validation -Repeatable, consistent testing, analysis and reporting -On-demand regression tests in response to cyber threats -Statistical rigor in test and analysis -Reduced time and manpower At IDT, we work closely with our customers to tailor our products to support their systems and meet their goals. IDT has the expertise, strategies and processes in place to provide an automated solution for your next project. Let us help you dramatically accelerate test execution time, expand test coverage and improve software quality. OUR MISSION Our mission is to enable new software capabilities to be fielded faster and more affordably by reducing the amount of time and the cost spent on software testing. Through the use of our software testing technology, IDT is changing the way testing is being done for large, complex, software systems.
