We are seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer to join our team in developing unmanned and autonomous ships for the US Government. The candidate will help design, code, and test software as part of a Scrum team in Arlington, VA, and will assist in coaching and mentoring junior and mid-level developers. Joining other senior developers, the candidate will help to guide projects of significant national importance. Our team of over thirty developers supports a variety of projects, making existing ships operate autonomously as well as working to support new ships through development within design, build, and test phases. Our software handles ship automation, autonomous navigation, sensor processing, and communications. The team also develops simulations to be used for verification and software testing.
Primary Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and debug mission critical software source code.
- Participate in the full software development lifecycle
- Serve as technical lead for small projects and mentor other engineers.
- Perform peer reviews of software
- Collaborate with the continuous process improvement to help the team improve
- Assist with evaluating field tests
- Communicate with client project team members.
- Some travel (up to 25%)
Basic Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree in computer science or STEM field plus 4+ years of software development, or 2+ with a masters degree, and at least 2+ using Linux and C++
- Significant experience working in a team environment, including experience providing guidance and coaching to other developers
- Experience designing complex systems, taking into account performance and user requirements
- Exposure to one or more of the following: high availability, sensor fusion, target tracking, path planning, communications systems, or military systems integration
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with the Atlassian tool suite
- Familiarity with automated build processes (Bamboo, Jenkins, etc.)
- Familiarity with game theory, artificial intelligence, petri nets, safety critical software
- Demonstrable problem-solving skills
- Active Secret Security Clearance preferred
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:July 9, 2025For 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.
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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.
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