> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/3053968-lead-software-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/3053968-lead-software-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead Software Engineer - **Company:** Leidos, Inc. - **Location:** Huntsville, AL, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $131,300.0 - $237,350.0 - **Contract:** Contract - **Skills:** Agile Methodology, Artificial Intelligence, JIRA, Automation of Tests, Unit Testing, C++ (Programming Language), Software Quality, Code Review, Computer Engineering, Continuous Integration, Software Debugging, Linux, Hardware-In-The-Loop Simulation, Python (Programming Language), Software Engineering, Software Troubleshooting, Gitlab, Information Technology, Virtual Agents - **Published:** September 24, 2026 - **Apply:** https://jobs.military.com/career/346136/lead-software-engineer-ai-assisted-development-alabama-al-huntsville ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline and 12+ years of professional software development experience (or Master's degree + 10 years / PhD + 7 years).\n * Recent, substantial, hands-on experience building real software with current-generation agentic AI coding assistants and AI-assisted development workflows, not just experimentation.\n * Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor engineers and to lead a software team as a technical lead.\n * Strong, current proficiency in C++ and Python.\n * Experience across the full software lifecycle, including peer reviews, automated testing, and CI/CD.\n * Experience working within an Agile / SAFe environment (or equivalent).\n * Experience with tools such as Jira and GitLab (or equivalent).\n * Experience developing in a Linux environment.\n * Ability to adapt modern AI-assisted development workflows to security-constrained, restricted, or disconnected environments (or a clear, demonstrated capacity to do so).\n * Currently living in Huntsville, AL or willing to relocate.\n * U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance (interim and final).\n ## Description * Serve as the technical lead and design authority for the IFPC Agentic AI software development improvement software team, setting technical direction, mentoring engineers, and driving quality and delivery, with a defined growth path into a people-management role as the team scales.\n * Champion and operationalize agentic AI-assisted software development across the team: establish the workflows, agent/prompt patterns, custom tooling, and guardrails that measurably multiply the team's throughput and code quality.\n * Coach and upskill engineers in the effective, responsible use of AI coding assistants through hands-on pairing, enablement sessions, code reviews, and reusable playbooks, acting as a force multiplier for the entire team.\n * Adapt commercial agentic-AI coding practices to a secure, restricted, or air-gapped environment; evaluate, pilot, and shepherd AI tooling through the security-approval process, including on-prem / self-hosted model options.\n * Develop production software in C++ and Python in a Linux environment for counter-UAS and missile defense systems.\n * Develop within a SAFe environment using Jira and GitLab; apply software best practices such as peer reviews, unit testing, and CI/CD automation - integrating AI responsibly into the software development lifecycle.\n * Debug and troubleshoot software in a Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) and Software-in-the-loop (SWIL) setting.\n * Establish and enforce engineering and coding standards, and drive standardized, reusable, well-documented solutions.\n * Collaborate across systems, electrical, test, and cybersecurity teams, and interface with program leadership and the customer to align software delivery with program needs.\n ## Related Videos - [Improving quality with Agentic AI with Rovo Dev and Xray](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2005-improving-quality-with-agentic-ai-with-rovo-dev-and-xray) - [Docker network without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1418-docker-network-without-docker) - [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - Modern DevOps for IoT Devices and More](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1805-wearedevelopers-live-modern-devops-for-iot-devices-and-more) - [AI Killed DevOps... What Now? - Lee Faus](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1759-ai-killed-devops-what-now-lee-faus) - [Are Code Reviews Worth It? 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