Principal Software Engineer.

Job Description

Description

Leidos has an exciting opening for you as our next TS / SCI cleared Principal  Software Engineer supporting a long-term DOMEX Technology Platform (DTP) contract. You will work closely with Systems Engineers, Software Engineers, Architects, and Operations Engineering / Manager on a broad scope of activities extending across the development of systems to include middle-tier and backend engineering tasks.  Have impact as part of a mission focused, solutions oriented, and adaptive team that values innovation, collaboration, and professional development. While most work is conducted on-site at our client location in Bethesda, MD, we offer a flexible schedule and, occasionally, some tasks may be performed remotely. The percentage of remote work will vary based on client requirements / deliverables.

Seeking a seasoned Python engineer to design and lead the development of scalable, distributed microservices deployed in Kubernetes. You will architect solutions for data ingestion, real-time processing, and intelligent search using Kafka and Elasticsearch. As a senior team member, you’ll play a key role in technical leadership, mentoring engineers, and shaping the long-term evolution of our systems.

You will work closely with the team on the following key tasks

• Lead the design and architecture of backend systems and services.
• Drive initiatives across the engineering team related to scalability, reliability, and performance.
• Build robust, testable, and maintainable Python microservices
• Architect message flows with Kafka, ensuring high availability and fault tolerance
• Define data modeling, indexing, and query patterns for Elasticsearch to meet product requirements
• Guide service deployments, rollout strategies, and observability practices in Kubernetes
• Contribute to and review RFCs, design documents, and architecture reviews
• Develop and integrate Docker containers to be deployed to Kubernetes from development to production
• Monitor automated system integration tests to identify failed modules and components
• Manage individual project priorities, deliverables, and deadlines
• Provides specific input to the software components of system design to include hardware / software trade-offs, software reuse, use of COTS / GOTS in place of new development, and requirements analysis and synthesis from system level to individual software components
• Foster an environment of collaboration with the different team members in the goal of providing quality service and product to our customers
• Act as a mentor to mid-level and junior engineers, offering guidance on best practices and career growth

To be successful in this role you need these skills (required) :

You will wow us even more if you have some of these skills :

#NMECDTP-LEIDOS

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.

Original Posting : September 16, 2025

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 : Pay Range $126,100.00 - $227,950.00

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.