Principal Software Architect
Role details
Job location
Tech stack
Job description
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., * 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.
Requirements
- 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.
Benefits & conditions
Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits .
