Leidos is looking for a Software Developer focusing on System Management supporting our Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) program. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless integration and functionality of air traffic management systems. Your expertise will contribute to the modernization and enhancement of the systems that support air traffic control operations.
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 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. Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Location: This position is in our Gaithersburg, MD office 3 days a week and 2 days a week from home office.
Travel: 25% travel is required for this position. Travel will be to various airports across the country as the TFDM system is deployed to 89 airports. The travel will generally be between 1 to 2 weeks per trip.
General Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and 4 years of related experience
4+ years of proven experience in Software Engineering
Must having thorough working knowledge with at least 3 of the following: Java, Python, shell scripting, Ansible
Candidate must be able to obtain/maintain a Public Trust, which requires US Citizenship or Permanent Residency
Willing to travel; 25% travel is required for this position. Travel will be to various airports across the country as the TFDM system is deployed to 89 airports. The travel will generally be between 1 to 2 weeks per trip.
Required Core Technologies:
Ansible - Deep experience with playbooks, roles, custom plugins, callbacks, and inventory systems
Python - Strong scripting, automation, and tool development
Bash/Shell scripting - Complex build orchestration and system automation
Linux system administration – Red Hat Enterprise Linux, package management, integration of Linux technologies, etc. Demands strong foundational Linux administration and management of the full lifecycle of systems from bare metal to operational deployment across multiple environments.
Required Infrastructure & DevOps:
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices
Configuration management at scale
CI/CD and build automation
Release management and versioning
Git workflows and collaboration
Required Systems Knowledge:
Physical hardware provisioning (PXE boot, kickstart)
Virtual machine lifecycle management (VMware and KVM)
Package ecosystem management (RPM, pip, Ansible Galaxy)
Desired Skills & Experience:
Ansible best practices
YAML templating and variable hierarchies
Ansible vault and secrets management
Multi-site infrastructure coordination
Custom Ansible plugin development
AI assisted development
Container technology - Podman/Docker, container builds, orchestration
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:June 26, 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 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and 4 years of related experience
- 4+ years of proven experience in Software Engineering
- Thorough working knowledge with at least 3 of Java, Python, shell scripting, Ansible
- Candidate must be able to obtain/maintain a Public Trust (requires US Citizenship or Permanent Residency)
- Willingness to travel up to 25% (typically 1-2 week trips to airports)
- Ansible - deep experience with playbooks, roles, custom plugins, callbacks, and inventory systems
- Python - strong scripting, automation, and tool development
- Bash/Shell scripting - complex build orchestration and system automation
- Linux system administration (Red Hat Enterprise Linux), package management, full lifecycle systems management
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices
- Configuration management at scale
- CI/CD and build automation
- Release management and versioning
- Git workflows and collaboration
- Physical hardware provisioning (PXE boot, kickstart)
- Virtual machine lifecycle management (VMware and KVM)
- Package ecosystem management (RPM, pip, Ansible Galaxy)
- Subject to government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information
- Ansible best practices
- YAML templating and variable hierarchies
- Ansible vault and secrets management
- Multi-site infrastructure coordination
- Custom Ansible plugin development
- AI assisted development
- Container technology (Podman/Docker), container builds and orchestration
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
