Principal Software Developer

Company: Leidos
Location: Gaithersburg
Posted on: April 3, 2026

Job Description:

We are seeking a Principal 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: Serve as a principal technical authority for software engineering across one or more programs, influencing architecture, design, and long-term technical strategy Lead the design and development of complex, mission-critical software systems, ensuring alignment with performance, safety, security, and scalability requirements Drive system-level and cross-program architectural decisions, including integration strategies and technology selection Define and oversee the strategic adoption of AI-assisted software development across teams and programs Establish enterprise- or program-level policies, guardrails, and governance for responsible AI usage, including validation standards, traceability, security, compliance, and risk management Evaluate the impact of AI-assisted development on safety-critical systems, ensuring that its use aligns with regulatory, operational, and mission assurance requirements Provide expert-level evaluation of AI-generated outputs, identifying systemic risks, failure modes, and unintended consequences at scale Champion the development of standardized AI-assisted workflows, reusable components, and tooling that improve productivity while maintaining engineering rigor Lead technical reviews, architecture reviews, and code reviews, setting and enforcing the highest standards for software quality (both human- and AI-generated) Mentor and develop senior and mid-level engineers, fostering technical growth and promoting best practices in both software engineering and AI-assisted development Collaborate with program leadership, systems engineering, cybersecurity, and other stakeholders to align software strategy with mission objectives Drive continuous improvement across development processes, tool chains, and engineering culture, including responsible integration of emerging AI technologies 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 12 years of prior relevant experience, or a master’s degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience Expert-level proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or Qt, with extensive experience delivering and maintaining large-scale production systems Demonstrated experience leading software architecture and technical strategy across teams or programs Deep experience applying AI-assisted software development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Roo Code, or similar) and shaping their adoption in professional environments Expert ability to evaluate, validate, and govern AI-generated code and outputs, including identifying systemic risks, security vulnerabilities, and performance tradeoffs Strong understanding of software architecture, distributed systems, and system-level design tradeoffs Proven experience establishing engineering standards, best practices, and development processes across teams Ability to operate independently at a strategic level while influencing and aligning multiple stakeholders Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences Preferred Qualifications: Experience defining AI governance frameworks, policies, or standards within a program or organization Experience working in regulated, safety-critical, or mission-critical environments (e.g., air traffic management, aviation, defense, or similar domains) Experience integrating AI-assisted development into secure, enterprise-grade development environments and toolchains Prior experience serving as a technical lead, architect, or principal engineer across large-scale systems Experience influencing organizational technology strategy or contributing to innovation initiatives involving AI 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 $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.

Keywords: Leidos, Richmond , Principal Software Developer, IT / Software / Systems , Gaithersburg, Virginia