Leidos is seeking a Principal AI Software Developer based in Gaithersburg, MD; Eagan, MN; or Egg Harbor, NJ to support the UK National Airspace System Replacement Product Delivery Team (UK NASR PDT)
This role offers the opportunity to work on real-time, safety-critical systems that directly support national air traffic operations for the United Kingdom. You will help modernize a high-availability air traffic management platform using both traditional systems engineering practices and AI-augmented software development techniques.
This is a hybrid schedule with 3 days onsite and 2 days remote.
What You’ll Do
Design, develop, test, and maintain software for real-time, high-availability systems
Apply AI-assisted development tools to accelerate coding, refactoring, debugging, and automated test generation
Use AI responsibly across the full SDLC — including requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, documentation, and code review
Analyze complex system requirements and translate them into efficient, maintainable designs
Develop and maintain automation scripts across development, test, and production environments
Promote code quality, reuse, traceability, and cross-team collaboration
Required Qualifications
AI-Driven Engineering Experience
We are specifically seeking engineers who actively integrate AI into their daily development workflow.
Hands-on experience using AI-assisted coding tools (e.g., Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or similar) for:
Code generation and refactoring
Debugging and automated test creation
IDE-integrated workflows
Familiarity with large language model platforms ( OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, etc.)
Experience designing effective prompts and validating AI-generated output
Understanding of human-in-the-loop development and responsible AI usage
Ability to evaluate AI-generated outputs for correctness, performance, safety, and bias — especially in regulated or safety-critical environments
Experience incorporating AI/ML techniques into software engineering workflows
Experience with automated testing frameworks
Core Technical Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field with 12+ years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience
Strong object-oriented programming experience
Proficiency in C, C++, and/or Ada (Ada preferred but not required)
Experience developing real-time, multi-threaded systems
Familiarity with Linux (Red Hat), virtual machines, and hypervisors
Experience with low-level communications protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, SCTP)
Experience with hardware or complex system integration
Experience with source control and configuration management tools
Strong communication skills and ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance
US citizenship required
Why Leidos
You’ll work on systems where performance, precision, and reliability matter — every second. This is not experimental AI for prototypes. This is disciplined, responsible AI applied to mission-critical software that supports national infrastructure.
If you’re excited by solving complex problems in regulated, real-world environments — and using AI as a force multiplier rather than a shortcut — we’d like to talk.
ATMC
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.
March 31, 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 $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.
Leidos is a Fortune 500® innovation company rapidly addressing the world’s most vexing challenges in national security and health. The company's global workforce of 48,000 collaborates to create smarter technology solutions for customers in heavily regulated industries. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $15.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023.
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.
