Principal Software Developer at Leidos in Gaithersburg, MD

Leidos is seeking Principal Software Developers to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the development of next-generation flight service and air traffic systems. This work aligns with the FAA’s broader initiative to modernize legacy flight service capabilities, replacing aging infrastructure with scalable, cloud-based platforms designed to improve safety and operational efficiency—particularly in remote and high-dependency aviation environments. These efforts focus on delivering mission-critical, future-ready solutions that provide safety-critical flight services to the pilot community.

**Please note, this exciting opportunity is currently unfunded and is anticipation of future work.

As a member of a Scaled Agile software development organization, you will contribute to the technical execution of a program that integrates proven, globally deployed technologies with modern cloud-native capabilities. You will work alongside cross-functional teams and technical leaders to deliver predictable outcomes in a highly regulated, safety-critical environment.

In this position, you will design and implement software solutions independently while working closely with systems engineering, product delivery, and DevSecOps teams. The primary focus is on developing containerized applications within an Agile/SAFe environment. This position supports government programs and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsible for software development activities both individually and as a member of a team including writing, testing, debugging, and maintaining source code within an Agile environment. Work to achieve key project/program objectives.
• Use AI-assisted development tools to accelerate coding, refactoring, debugging, and test creation.
• Develop solutions to highly complex issues and problems that impact multiple areas of disciplines.
• Actively participate in Agile scrum ceremonies and other related team activities.
• Write and execute unit and functional tests.
• Troubleshoot and participate in the resolution of technical issues in lab and operational environments.
• Provide support as needed for system engineering, test engineering, and system owner teams.
• Ability to communicate with executive leadership (internally or client) regarding matters of significant importance to the organization/project.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field with 12-15 years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree with 10-13 years of experience. May also possess a Doctorate.
• In-depth knowledge of Java with substantial hands-on programming experience
• In-depth experience with Web development and commonly used front-end tools and languages (React, HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Extensive experience with unit testing tools such as Junit and Mockito
• Significant experience with RESTful API, JSON, XML, XSD
• Significant experience with Spring Framework, Spring Security, and Spring Boot
• Significant experience with Linux
• Significant experience with version control systems such as Git or Subversion
• Experience with common development tools and IDEs (Eclipse, VS Code, etc.)
• Experience working within the Agile Scrum framework
• Understanding of sound software development principles and practices
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing
• Capable of leading and managing work of other technical staff that has significant impact on project results and outputs
• Ability to obtain SF-85 Public Trust (Tier 2) suitability determination
• US citizenship required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AI-assisted coding (Claude Code, Codex etc.)
• Experience with microservices and cloud-based environments
• Knowledge of or experience with Python programming language
• Knowledge of or experience with Ansible playbooks and YAML
• Knowledge of or experience with Linux shell scripting
• Knowledge of or experience with MongoDB
• Knowledge of air traffic control and flight services

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:

April 30, 2026 For 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.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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.