Principal Software Architect

Leidos is seeking aPrincipal Software Architectto join theAir 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. Youll work on software that directly supports national air traffic operations applying AI tools to accelerate development improve quality and enhance system reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Core Technical Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters 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 Masters 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

Youll 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 youre excited by solving complex problems in regulated real-world environments and using AI as a force multiplier rather than a shortcut wed like to talk.

ATMC

If youre looking for comfort keep scrolling. At Leidos we outthink outbuild and outpace the status quo because the mission demands it. Were not hiring followers. Were recruiting the ones who disrupt provoke and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. Were already at step 30 and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.