SME Software Engineer Lead

This Department of War enterprise data and analytics program delivers mission-critical capabilities that enable leaders across the Department to make faster, better-informed decisions using trusted data at scale. Leidos Digital Modernization sector is seeking an experienced SME Software Engineer Lead to support the delivery, enhancement, and adoption of enterprise data and analytics products used across multiple DoD organizations.

In this role, you will work alongside government partners, engineers, and other industry teammates to translate operational and strategic requirements into scalable, production-ready solutions. You will contribute directly to product planning, execution, and continuous improvement-helping ensure capabilities are delivered efficiently, aligned to mission priorities, and positioned for sustained success. This position offers the opportunity to work on a high-visibility, enterprise program at the intersection of data, analytics, and emerging AI technologies.

Ideal candidates are motivated by mission impact, comfortable operating in complex stakeholder environments, and interested in building deep domain expertise while delivering capabilities with real-world national security outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and optimize software systems to meet defined functional and technical requirements.
• Build application components, APIs, automation features, and ETL pipelines that collect, clean, and transform data from source to destination.
• Develop and maintain automation frameworks and integrate with identity and access management systems, HR data sources, and directory services such as Active Directory and Okta.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect solutions, perform rigorous testing and documentation, and deliver reliable, maintainable, and scalable software capabilities.
• Prepare, maintain, and execute a Software Engineering Plan (SWP) for managing all aspects of the System software lifecycle.
• Establish and operate a SAFE Agile development process, prioritizing product backlog items and scheduling them into specific Agile sprint cycles.
• Maintain and operate the DevSecOps factory, process, documentation, policies, thresholds, and associated automated DevSecOps pipelines.
• Perform software development and integration for System software, including infrastructure, data tools and services, customer tools and services, cybersecurity, and user interfaces.
• Plan, design, and implement software testing tools, processes, and procedures for conducting all testing for the System.
• Conduct Configuration Management operations to control, identify, record, and report IT components, versions, constituent components, states, and relationships.
• Establish and maintain development, test, integration, staging, and production environments for supporting the System software lifecycle.
• Deliver and maintain all software artifacts that are part of the System on Government-owned software repositories.
• Manage a team of 8-15 direct reports, providing leadership, mentorship, and performance evaluations.
• Lead design, development, integration, testing, and deployment of secure, scalable enterprise software solutions.
• Oversee development of APIs, microservices, and backend services supporting WDP mission capabilities.
• Ensure implementation of DevSecOps CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks aligned to enterprise standards
• Maintain and enhance WDP software baselines including source code, Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), and Configuration-as-Code (CaC) artifacts
• Support secure configuration management, release management, and software lifecycle governance processes.
• Ensure compliance with NIST SP 800-53, RMF, STIGs, and Zero Trust principles within application design and deployment.
• Resolve complex, cross-domain software integration issues impacting multi-enclave operations.
• Participate in PI Planning, backlog refinement, sprint reviews, and Inspect & Adapt events to align software delivery with Program Increment (PI) objectives.
• Provide direct supervision, mentoring, and performance management for assigned software engineering staff.
• Conduct performance reviews, career development planning, and technical coaching.
• Lead workforce planning and staffing alignment across software engineering workstreams.
• Establish code review standards, secure development best practices, and quality assurance governance.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing engineering culture focused on mission impact and technical excellence.

Basic Qualifications:

• Active Top Secret (TS) clearance with SCI eligibility.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline and 12 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree in a related field and 10 years of relevant experience.
• At least one of the following foundational qualification pathways consistent with DoD 8140 requirements:
• Current DoD 8570/8140 baseline certification appropriate for Advanced System Administrator roles (e.g., CASP+, CCNP Security, GCED, or equivalent)
• Offerings listed in the DoD 8140 Training Repository
• Demonstrated equivalent training and experience qualifying under DoD 8140 foundational qualification alternatives
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in software engineering and development.
• Proven experience with Agile software development methodologies, particularly SAFE Agile.
• Experience with software testing, including unit, regression, security, integration, compliance, performance, and acceptance testing.
• Experience developing enterprise software solutions in DoD or Federal environments.
• Strong knowledge of DevSecOps principles and practices.
• Experience implementing secure DevSecOps pipelines and automated CI/CD workflows.
• Proficiency in developing and maintaining automation frameworks and integrating with identity and access management systems.
• Experience developing containerized applications (Docker, Kubernetes) in cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Experience supporting secure configuration management, patching, and system hardening practices.
• Experience with configuration management operations and maintaining configuration baselines.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading and mentoring technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active TS/SCI clearance with CI Poly.
• SAFe Agilist (SA) or related SAFe certification.
• Experience operating within SAFe or large-scale Agile frameworks supporting enterprise systems.
• Experience supporting software engineering across NIPRNet, SIPRNet, and JWICS environments.
• Experience with cloud-based data, analytics, and AI capabilities.
• Experience integrating enterprise data, AI/ML, or cybersecurity services into production systems.
• Experience implementing Zero Trust architecture patterns in application development.
• Advanced cloud certification (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect - Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with DoD Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and container hardening standards.
• Knowledge of Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) and Configuration-as-Code (CaC) practices.
• Experience with managing software artifact repositories.

About Leidos:

If youre looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. Were not hiring followers. Were recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. Were already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

March 13, 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.