Leidos is seeking a Principal Software Architect to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the development of the Leidos Common Automation Platform (L-CAP) and Common Baseline. L-CAP is a mission-critical, future-ready automation solution built on a hybrid cloud data mesh architecture. As a member of a large-scale, Scaled Agile software development organization, you will play a central role in shaping next-generation air traffic automation capabilities by bridging mission needs, systems engineering rigor, and Agile software delivery.
In this role, you will serve as the Software Architect and lead the design and evolution of scalable, secure, and high-performance systems. This role combines deep technical expertise with strategic thinking, guiding engineering teams in building robust architectures that align with business goals. This position is intended for experienced practitioners who can balance innovation with discipline in a highly regulated, safety-critical environment.
This position is located in Gaithersburg, MD This is an opportunity to contribute to projects that impact millions of air travelers.
This is a hybrid position requiring 3 days onsite and 2 days working from home.
This role focuses on building and modernizing real-time, safety-critical systems using a combination of traditional systems engineering and AI-augmented software development practices. You’ll work on software that directly supports national air traffic operations, applying AI tools to accelerate development, improve quality, and enhance system reliability.
Key Responsibilities
Define and drive the overall system architecture, ensuring scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
Lead the design of complex software systems across multiple platforms (cloud, distributed systems, microservices).
Collaborate with product, engineering, and leadership teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
Establish architectural standards, best practices, and governance processes.
Evaluate and recommend technologies, frameworks, and tools.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to senior and mid-level engineers.
Conduct architecture reviews, code reviews, and technical risk assessments.
Ensure system security, compliance, and data integrity across platforms.
Drive modernization initiatives (e.g., cloud migration, microservices adoption).
Troubleshoot and resolve high-impact technical issues.
Core Technical Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field or equivalent years of experience
12+ years of software development experience (or 10+ years experience with a Master's Degree), with 3+ years in an architectural role.
Strong experience with distributed systems, APIs, and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g., Java, C#, Python, Go).
Experience designing microservices and event-driven architectures.
Deep understanding of system design principles, patterns, and trade-offs.
Experience with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
Strong knowledge of security best practices and compliance standards.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust
U.S. citizenship required
Successful completion of background investigations as required by the government customer
Preferred / Desired Qualifications
Experience in large-scale enterprise environments.
Familiarity with domain-driven design (DDD).
Experience with data architecture (SQL/NoSQL, data pipelines).
Certifications in cloud platforms or architecture frameworks (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect).
Exposure to AI/ML systems or modern data platforms.
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.
April 24, 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.
