Software Engineer (SME)
At a glance
Mid-level Software Engineering role at Leidos. Bethesda · full-time · $154,050–$278,475 base.
techroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Build software and cloud environments, then keep critical systems running through operations and maintenance
- Develop customer tools and applications, covering design, implementation, coding, and unit tests
- Prototype and roll out solutions on commercial cloud platforms using infrastructure services
- Work with product owners and scrum masters to align user stories with customer use cases
- Test software and coordinate infrastructure needs through proof-of-concept, performance, and end-to-end checks
What you bring
- You have extensive experience with Java, Spring, C2S, and software delivery across the development lifecycle
- You have used JUnit or Katalon, Python or Bash, and Agile methods in software development
- You bring extensive commercial cloud experience, including data services, version control, and issue tracking
- You have a master’s degree and at least fifteen relevant years, or a doctorate and at least thirteen; experience can replace a degree
- You hold an active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph
Who this fits
This role suits a senior software engineer who works across development, testing, cloud infrastructure, and system upkeep in a DevOps setting. The position is based in Bethesda and requires an active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph.
From the employer
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.
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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 22, 2026For 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 - $278,475.00The 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.