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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead AI Software Developer - **Company:** Leidos, Inc. - **Location:** Egg Harbor Township, NJ, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $87,100.0 - $157,450.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Agile Methodology, Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Systems Engineering, Automation of Tests, Microsoft Azure, C++ (Programming Language), Cloud Computing, Software Quality, Databases, Continuous Integration, Software Debugging, Linux, DevOps, Distributed Systems, Python (Programming Language), Enterprise Messaging Systems, NoSQL, Performance Tuning, Scrum Methodology, Software Tools, Reverse Engineering, Scaled Agile Framework, Software Engineering, Software Systems, Software Testing Automation Framework, Data Streaming, Systems Integration, Google Cloud, Safety Critical Systems, Reliability of Systems, HybridCloud, Git, Containerization, Kubernetes, Infrastructure Automation Frameworks, Information Technology, Data Analytics, Apache Kafka, Codebase, Video Streaming, Code Restructuring, Software Version Control, Devsecops, Docker, Legacy Systems, Web Api, Programming Languages, Microservices - **Published:** August 15, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/fbbdefd6-6248-4352-847f-22a6e3c10342 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience) * 4+ years of relevant experience or a Master\'s Degree and 2+ years of relevant experience * Hands-on experience building and supporting microservices-based systems * Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (e.g., Java, Python, C++, or similar on a Linux-based system) * Effectively leverage AI-assisted engineering tools to understand unfamiliar codebases, analyze system behavior, develop implementation strategies, accelerate development, and improve software quality. * Experience or exposure to AI/ML-enabled systems (Claude-Code), automation, or intelligent platforms. * Ability to analyze and understand large, complex software systems with many interacting components. * Analyze existing software interfaces and data flows to implement new capabilities within a complex distributed system. * Experience enhancing and maintaining existing software systems while preserving operational stability. * Ability to abstract complex implementation details into higher-level architectural concepts and communicate those concepts effectively. * Experience working in Agile environments * Understanding of APIs and distributed system concepts * 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 with large-scale distributed systems * Experience working with safety-critical or high-availability software * Experience reverse-engineering existing software designs * Experience integrating with legacy systems * Experience reading and understanding large existing codebases * Experience with Git-based version control and CI/CD pipelines * Familiarity with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) * Experience working with relational and/or NoSQL databases * Hands-on experience with Kafka or other event-streaming technologies * Cloud experience (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform) * Containerization and orchestration experience (Docker, Kubernetes) * Experience working in DevSecOps environments * Experience with test automation frameworks and integration of automated test suites into CI/CD pipelines 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. ## Description Leidos is seeking a Lead AI Software Developer to join the Air Traffic Business Area within the Homeland Sector, supporting the development of the Leidos Common Automation Platform (L-CAP). L-CAP is a mission-critical, future-ready automation platform built on a hybrid cloud data mesh architecture, enabling next-generation air traffic management capabilities. As part of a large-scale Scaled Agile (SAFe) software development organization, you will serve as a technical leader and strategic architect, shaping enterprise data solutions that bridge mission needs, systems engineering rigor, and modern Agile delivery. In this position, you will design and implement software solutions independently while working closely with systems engineering, product delivery, and DevSecOps teams. The primary focus is on developing microservices-based applications within an Agile/SAFe environment. Experience with AI-enabled or data-driven systems is advantageous. This position supports government programs and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust investigation. 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. This position is located in either Gaithersburg, MD or Egg Harbor Township, NJ. 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. What You'll Do: * Design, develop, and maintain microservices-based applications using modern software engineering best practices * Collaborate with product owners, architects, and engineers in an Agile/SAFe environment * Participate in sprint planning, daily standups, reviews, and retrospectives * Collaborate with systems engineering and program teams to translate requirements into working software solutions * Develop clean, maintainable, and testable code following CI/CD and DevSecOps practices * Contribute to system design discussions and technical decision-making * Integrate services with databases, messaging systems, and external APIs * Support troubleshooting, performance tuning, and continuous improvement * Work closely with QA, DevOps, and platform teams to ensure reliable delivery * Implement modern automated testing strategies, including unit, integration, contract, and end-to-end testing * Use AI-assisted development tools to accelerate coding, refactoring, debugging, and test creation ## Related Videos - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Leveraging Real time data in FSIs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/806-leveraging-real-time-data-in-fsis) - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [AI Killed DevOps... 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