Tech Lead – Principal Software Engineer at Novul Solutions · Arlington

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Tech Lead – Principal Software Engineer to lead architecture, software delivery, and engineering teams supporting mission-critical environments.

This role combines hands-on software engineering with technical leadership, DevSecOps, Agile delivery, and team development. The ideal candidate has experience delivering secure, scalable systems and leading engineering teams in high-tempo Top Secret/SCI environments.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead Agile software engineering teams and translate mission priorities, backlog items, and customer needs into technical plans, milestones, and sprint goals.
• Design, develop, and integrate secure APIs, structured/unstructured data pipelines, and scalable software solutions using Python, Java, JavaScript, SQL/PSQL, YAML, and Terraform.
• Build and manage automated CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, Ansible, Git, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Artifactory.
• Implement DevSecOps, automated testing, observability, security controls, infrastructure automation, and full-SDLC practices across Development, Test, QA, and Production environments.
• Manage software release/version control and ensure consistent, secure, and reliable promotion of software throughout the product lifecycle.
• Define long-term technical strategy, architecture, engineering standards, governance, and development best practices across multiple teams.
• Serve as a senior technical authority and escalation point for complex cross-team and cross-domain engineering challenges.
• Drive engineering excellence in security, reliability, performance, maintainability, CI/CD, and automated testing.
• Lead, mentor, and develop senior engineers and technical teams, including performance management, career development, succession planning, recruiting, onboarding, and retention.
• Own delivery outcomes across multiple Agile teams, ensuring quality, predictability, security, and mission alignment while driving continuous improvement through Jira or equivalent tools.
• Balance near-term delivery with long-term modernization, technical debt reduction, and architectural investments.
• Partner with product owners, program leadership, business stakeholders, cybersecurity, infrastructure, operations, and mission partners to align priorities, roadmaps, and execution.
• Identify and resolve delivery risks, dependencies, architectural constraints, and resource challenges.
• Communicate technical vision, architecture, risks, progress, and recommendations to senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and guide the responsible adoption of generative AI and AI-assisted engineering tools.

Requirements

Basic Qualifications:

• U.S. Citizen with an active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of relevant experience; additional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Proven experience leading multiple engineering teams and delivering complex, mission-critical enterprise software systems.
• Strong hands-on background in Agile full-SDLC software development, including design, development, testing, integration, deployment, production release, and sustainment.
• Strong experience with DevSecOps, automated testing, CI/CD, release management, configuration management, and version control.
• Experience building DevOps pipelines using Bitbucket, Git/GitHub/GitLab, Jenkins, Artifactory, and Ansible.
• Development experience with Python, Java, JavaScript, SQL/PSQL, YAML, and Terraform.
• Experience with Java Full Stack, Gradle, PowerShell, Oracle 19c, web services, and APIs.
• Experience managing Agile delivery and project tracking using Jira or equivalent tools.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor senior technical staff and operate effectively in a high-tempo TS/SCI environment.
• Strong leadership, communication, documentation, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.

Benefits

Core Benefits:

• Paid Time Off PTO):TEN (10) Paid days off & FIVE (5) Floating days off.
• Holidays: 11 Paid Holidays. Flex time can be utilized instead of holiday time usage.
• Payroll: Paid Bi-Monthly.
• 401(k): Partnered with the SECOND LARGEST Retirement plan provider in the U.S. Guaranteed 3% match. Eligibility – 21 years of age or older, after 3 months of employment
• Individual or company-wide performance and recognition awards (Quarterly)

Health Benefits:

• UNITED HEALTHCARE PPO, extensive national coverage.
• INCLUDES: Medical/Dental/Vision/HSA.
• Eligible on the first of the month, immediately after the start date.
• Submit the enrollment form within 30 days of your start date otherwise, you will have to wait until October for the new year enrollment.

Quality of Life Benefits:

• Training & Career Development Reimbursement of Tuition and training needed to support career development.
• $150 monthly reimbursement contribution paid monthly towards parking expenses.
• Receipts must be submitted by the close of business on the 25th of each month.
• Reimbursements will be paid on the first payroll AFTER reimbursements are submitted each month.

Special Benefits:

• Performance bonus – Project-based
• Yearly bonus – Company based