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Principal Software Engineer

Leidos Open · verified Oct 24, 2026
Bethesda Full-time Senior Engineering Leadership

At a glance

Senior Engineering Leadership role at Leidos. Bethesda · full-time · $131,300–$237,350 base.

SalaryStated by Leidos
$131,300 – $237,350
Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.
This role, from LeidosOur estimate for the market: $182,163–$190,000Median $184,325
The range includes the market median of $184,325 for senior engineering leadership roles in Bethesda.
Worked out from 7 postings that stated pay, median $184,325. Last updated Oct 16, 2026.
RoleEngineering Leadership
SenioritySenior
LocationBethesda
EmploymentFull-time
Base pay$131,300–$237,350
PostedSep 24, 2026 · 4w ago
Role brief

techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

  • Build and maintain software, systems and cloud environments, including operations and upkeep for critical systems
  • Guide software work from scope estimates and architecture through coding, unit tests and delivery
  • Create and deploy Java, JavaScript and Python applications, including solutions on commercial cloud platforms
  • Work with product owners and scrum masters to turn user stories into implementations that match customer use cases
  • Test software and coordinate infrastructure needs through proof-of-concept, performance and end-to-end checks

What you bring

  • You hold a bachelor’s degree with at least twelve years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree with at least ten years
  • You have deep Java, Spring and C2S experience, along with software lifecycle delivery using DevOps practices
  • You bring hands-on experience with JUnit or Katalon testing, Python or Bash scripting, and Agile development
  • You have substantial commercial cloud and cloud data-services experience, plus version control and issue-tracking experience
  • An active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required

Who this fits

This senior engineering role suits someone who can lead technical work as well as build and test software in an Agile DevOps setting. It is based in Bethesda and requires an active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.

From the employer

Leidos has an exciting opportunity for a Principal Software Engineer 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 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:

  • In-depth use and experience in common Agile practices, service-orientated environments, and development practices
  • In-depth 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
  • In-depth experience with development in Commercial Cloud Platforms (ex, AWS, Google Cloud, Azure) and leveraging cloud data services (ex: S3, RDS, EFS)
  • In-depth experience using version control systems and issue/problem tracking systems
  • Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of prior relevant experience or Master’s with 10+ years of relevant experience.
  • 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.

#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:

January 21, 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.

Opportunity

Engineering Leadership work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list.

Each morning you get everything that fits, strongest first.

Engineering Leadership$130k+

Find me work

By the team behind techroles.

Find me work
Opportunity

Engineering Leadership work from LinkedIn, X, Reddit and Upwork, in one list.

Each morning you get everything that fits, strongest first.

Find me work

By the team behind techroles.