Lead Software Developer

Company: Leidos
Location: Gaithersburg
Posted on: April 4, 2026

Job Description:

We are seeking a Lead Software Developer who will be a member of a dynamic team Air Traffic Management program - SkyLine-X™ SkyLine-X™ provides an array of advanced air traffic management capabilities to improve aircraft safety, performance, and efficiency across the world’s airspace. Primary Responsibilities: Design, develop, and maintain software components both independently and as a key contributor within a SW team Actively participate in SW planning, estimation, statusing, and technical discussions, providing input on design and implementation approaches Analyze system and subsystem requirements and translate them into robust software designs using sound engineering principles Lead implementation of moderately complex features, ensuring code is scalable, maintainable, efficient, and aligned with system architecture Leverage AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Roo Code, Claude, ChatGPT, or similar) to enhance productivity across coding, debugging, testing, and documentation Exercise strong technical judgment in evaluating AI-generated outputs, identifying subtle defects, edge cases, performance issues, and security risks Develop, standardize, and promote effective prompting strategies and AI-assisted development workflows within the team Contribute to and help enforce best practices for responsible AI usage, including code validation, traceability, and compliance with project and security standards Perform code reviews, providing constructive feedback on both human- and AI-generated code Troubleshoot and resolve complex software issues and support integration and system-level testing activities Contribute to continuous improvement of development processes, tooling, and team efficiency, including integration of AI capabilities into workflows Basic Qualifications: Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance (US Citizenship required) Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and a minimum of 4 years of prior relevant experience Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or Qt, with experience developing and maintaining production-quality code Demonstrated experience using AI-assisted software development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Roo Code, or similar) to improve development efficiency and code quality Strong ability to evaluate, validate, and refine AI-generated code, including identifying logical errors, edge cases, and security considerations Solid understanding of software design principles, debugging techniques, testing methodologies, and code quality practices Experience participating in code reviews and contributing to team development standards Ability to work independently on moderately complex tasks and provide technical guidance to less experienced developers Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment Demonstrated initiative in improving development workflows, tools, and practices, including the adoption of AI-assisted techniques (Optional) Preferred Qualifications: Experience helping define or standardize AI-assisted development practices within a team or project Experience integrating AI tools into development pipelines, testing frameworks, or documentation processes Familiarity with secure coding practices and validating AI-generated code in regulated or mission-critical environments Prior experience mentoring junior developers or onboarding new team members 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 1, 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 $87,100.00 - $157,450.00 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.

Keywords: Leidos, Washington DC , Lead Software Developer, IT / Software / Systems , Gaithersburg, DC