Software Engineer (SME)

Leidos

Bethesda, MD, United StatesFull-time$154,050–$278,475Posted Oct 28, 2026

About the role

Leidos has an exciting opportunity for a Software Engineer (SME) in our Intel Security Sector's Analysis Solutions Business Area. Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more. Join us and make a difference in National Security!

Job Summary

As a Software Engineer on this program, you will have the opportunity to build strong systems, software, and cloud environments while providing operations and maintenance for critical systems. This role will provide technical expertise in the design, development, implementation and testing of customer tools and applications. Based in a DevOps framework, this role participates in and/or directs major deliverables of projects through all aspects of the software development lifecycle including scope and work estimation, architecture and design, coding and unit testing.

Primary Responsibilities:

Participates in and/or directs software programming initiatives using Java, JavaScript, Python, SpringBoot, and Hibernate.

Develops and directs software system validation and testing methods using Junit and Katalon and uses integrated custom developed software solutions to leverage automated deployment technologies

Develop, prototype and deploy solutions within Commercial Cloud Solutions leveraging infrastructure platform services

Coordinate closely with team members, Product Owners and Scrum Masters to ensure User Story alignment and implementation to customer use cases

Support the Agile software development lifecycle following SAFe practices, using industry leading DevOps tools like GitHub, Jenkins, Unix bash scripting and leveraging tools such as JIRA and Confluence to track activities

Analyze (though proof of concept, performance, and end-to-end testing) and effectively coordinate Infrastructure needs driven by developed software to meet customer mission needs.

Apply and identify best practices and standard operating procedures creating innovative solutions to meet the technical needs of customers.

Basic Qualifications:

Extensive use and experience in common Agile practices, service-orientated environments, and development practices

Extensive experience with Java, Spring, C2S and the software development lifecycle, delivering within DevOps toolsets/practices

Direct experience utilizing software testing performance tools, such as Junit/Katalon and scripting languages, such as Python and Bash, while working in an Agile development environment

Extensive experience with development in Commercial Cloud Platforms (ex, AWS, Google Cloud, Azure) and leveraging cloud data services (ex: S3, RDS, EFS)

Extensive experience using version control systems and issue/problem tracking systems

Master’s degree with 15 or more years of prior relevant experience or Doctorate with 13 or more years of relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.

To be considered must have an active TS/SCI with polygraph security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with structured analysis and design methodologies

Understanding of the customer's system development policies.

At Leidos, the opportunities are boundless. We challenge our staff with interesting assignments that allow them to thrive professionally and personally. For us, helping you grow your career is good business. We look forward to learning more about you – apply today.

#CABARESTON

#ASBA

#HALO

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:

October 28, 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 $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

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.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, implement, and test customer tools and applications throughout the software development lifecycle.
  • Lead or contribute to software development using Java, JavaScript, Python, Spring Boot, and Hibernate.
  • Develop and deploy solutions in commercial cloud environments using cloud platform services.
  • Build software validation and testing methods and support automated deployment.
  • Coordinate with team members, Product Owners, and Scrum Masters to deliver customer use cases.
  • Support Agile and SAFe development using DevOps tools including GitHub, Jenkins, JIRA, and Confluence.
  • Analyze performance and end-to-end testing results and coordinate infrastructure needs.
  • Apply software development best practices to meet customer technical and mission needs.

Qualifications

  • Extensive experience with Agile practices, service-oriented environments, and software development.
  • Extensive experience with Java, Spring, C2S, and software development lifecycle delivery using DevOps practices.
  • Experience with JUnit or Katalon, Python or Bash scripting, and software performance testing.
  • Extensive experience with commercial cloud platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure and services such as S3, RDS, or EFS.
  • Experience with version control and issue or problem tracking systems.
  • Master’s degree and 15 or more years of relevant experience, or doctorate and 13 or more years; additional experience may substitute for a degree.
  • Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.
  • Preferred: Experience with structured analysis and design methodologies and familiarity with customer system development policies.

Benefits

  • Paid time off and 11 paid holidays
  • 401(k) with 6% company match and immediate vesting
  • Flexible schedules
  • Discounted stock purchase plan
  • Technical upskilling and education and training support
  • Paid parental leave

Skills mentioned

JavaJavaScriptPythonSpring BootAWSCloud ComputingGitJenkinsCI/CDUnit Testing

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government & commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. 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 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, visit careers.leidos.com for our latest opportunities.

Defense and Space Manufacturing10,001+ employeesReston, Virginia

H-1B sponsorship history

Historical employer filing data was found for Leidos. The employer record includes 364 historical certified applications. This is employer-level history, not a guarantee that this role currently offers sponsorship.