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At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to doing the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.
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Leidos Defense Systems is seeking a talented Software Engineer to develop high-performance applications and backend systems supporting advanced sensors and mission systems. This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy building performant software and want to grow into broader system-level and real-time development over time. We have offices across the United States engaging in the defense, space, cyber and commercial fields, we provide responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific and IT solutions.
If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!
Leidos Defense Systems Sector provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions. To explore and learn more, click here!
Are you ready to make an impact? Share your resume with us today!
Primary Responsibilities:
Candidate will support advanced technology radar programs develop user-facing and backend software that interfaces with high-performance sensor and data processing systems. These applications are tightly coupled with real-time data pipelines and hardware systems, requiring strong understanding of performance, data flow, and system behavior.
Engineers in this role are expected to grow into broader system ownership over time, contributing across application, middleware, and real-time components as needed.
Develop, and maintain C++-based applications and backend systems
Build software supporting data processing, visualization, and system control
Analyze and improve performance, latency, and scalability of software systems
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including software, systems, and hardware engineers
Support integration, testing, and deployment of software in operational environments
Contribute to evolving system capabilities, including future real-time and high-throughput processing components
Contribute to development and improvement of systems and features end-to-end
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science degree from an ABET-accredited school with a strong demonstration of the skills listed below plus 2-4 years of experience in software development OR Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science degree from an ABET-accredited school with a strong demonstration of the skills listed below plus 4-8 years of experience in software development.
Must be a US citizen, possess and able to maintain an active secret clearance
Candidate must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville – North Alabama, AL, area
Candidate must have excellent teamwork skills and possess strong fundamentals in the following:
Experience with C++ or similar systems-level programming language
Experience with Linux-based systems
Experience with higher-level user application development
Experience working with performance-sensitive, distributed, or systems-oriented applications
Experience with multithreaded or concurrent programming
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment
Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and work across different layers of the software stack
Preferred Qualifications:
Candidate with additional skills in the following is preferred:
Experience with messaging frameworks (e.g., ZeroMQ or similar)
Experience with containerization and CI/CD pipelines
Exposure to radar, RF, or sensor systems
Experience with tools such as MATLAB or similar for analysis or prototyping
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.
May 5, 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 $69,550.00 - $125,725.00
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.
