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# Tech Lead - Principal Software Engineer

- **Company:** Novul Solutions
- **Location:** Arlington, United States
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), JavaScript (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Agile Methodology, Artificial Intelligence, JIRA, Automation of Tests, Configuration Management, Continuous Integration, Gradle, Python (Programming Language), PostgreSQL, Oracle (Applications), Windows PowerShell, Systems Development Life Cycle, Release Management, Ansible, Software Engineering, SQL Databases, Unstructured Data, Web Services, YAML, Enterprise Software Applications, Delivery Pipeline, Technical Debt, Gitlab, Git, Infrastructure Automation Frameworks, Bitbucket, Terraform, Software Version Control, Devsecops, Jenkins, Artifactory
- **Published:** October 3, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.dice.com/job-detail/f1527f9c-eb83-4bdf-b9b8-984b95d92001

## About the Role

* U.S. Citizen with an active DoD Top Secret/SCI clearance.
 * Bachelor's degree and 12+ years of relevant experience; additional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
 * Proven experience leading multiple engineering teams and delivering complex, mission-critical enterprise software systems.
 * Strong hands-on background in Agile full-SDLC software development, including design, development, testing, integration, deployment, production release, and sustainment.
 * Strong experience with DevSecOps, automated testing, CI/CD, release management, configuration management, and version control.
 * Experience building DevOps pipelines using Bitbucket, Git/GitHub/GitLab, Jenkins, Artifactory, and Ansible.
 * Development experience with Python, Java, JavaScript, SQL/PSQL, YAML, and Terraform.
 * Experience with Java Full Stack, Gradle, PowerShell, Oracle 19c, web services, and APIs.
 * Experience managing Agile delivery and project tracking using Jira or equivalent tools.
 * Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor senior technical staff and operate effectively in a high-tempo TS/SCI environment.
 * Strong leadership, communication, documentation, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.

## Description

We are seeking an experienced Tech Lead - Principal Software Engineer to lead architecture, software delivery, and engineering teams supporting mission-critical environments.

This role combines hands-on software engineering with technical leadership, DevSecOps, Agile delivery, and team development. The ideal candidate has experience delivering secure, scalable systems and leading engineering teams in high-tempo Top Secret/SCI environments.

Primary Responsibilities

 * Lead Agile software engineering teams and translate mission priorities, backlog items, and customer needs into technical plans, milestones, and sprint goals.
 * Design, develop, and integrate secure APIs, structured/unstructured data pipelines, and scalable software solutions using Python, Java, JavaScript, SQL/PSQL, YAML, and Terraform.
 * Build and manage automated CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, Ansible, Git, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Artifactory.
 * Implement DevSecOps, automated testing, observability, security controls, infrastructure automation, and full-SDLC practices across Development, Test, QA, and Production environments.
 * Manage software release/version control and ensure consistent, secure, and reliable promotion of software throughout the product lifecycle.
 * Define long-term technical strategy, architecture, engineering standards, governance, and development best practices across multiple teams.
 * Serve as a senior technical authority and escalation point for complex cross-team and cross-domain engineering challenges.
 * Drive engineering excellence in security, reliability, performance, maintainability, CI/CD, and automated testing.
 * Lead, mentor, and develop senior engineers and technical teams, including performance management, career development, succession planning, recruiting, onboarding, and retention.
 * Own delivery outcomes across multiple Agile teams, ensuring quality, predictability, security, and mission alignment while driving continuous improvement through Jira or equivalent tools.
 * Balance near-term delivery with long-term modernization, technical debt reduction, and architectural investments.
 * Partner with product owners, program leadership, business stakeholders, cybersecurity, infrastructure, operations, and mission partners to align priorities, roadmaps, and execution.
 * Identify and resolve delivery risks, dependencies, architectural constraints, and resource challenges.
 * Communicate technical vision, architecture, risks, progress, and recommendations to senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
 * Evaluate emerging technologies and guide the responsible adoption of generative AI and AI-assisted engineering tools.