Principal Software Engineer

Description

We are seeking an experienced Principal Software Engineer to join our team in developing the forefront of unmanned and autonomous ship development for the US Government. Based in Arlington, VA, the role involves designing, building, and testing software that powers some of the nation’s most critical maritime programs. The candidate will help lead projects of significant national importance, guiding the transformation of existing vessels into autonomous platforms and supporting the development of new ships from concept through deployment.

• Ship Automation & Control Systems
• Autonomous Navigation
• Sensor Fusion & Processing
• Communication Systems
• Modeling & Simulation for verification and software testing

• Analyze, design, code and update software for new features and performance improvements.
• Participate in the full software development life cycle, from requirements and design through implementation, testing, and deployment.
• Serve as technical lead for small projects, providing direction and ensuring technical quality.
• Mentor and coach junior engineers, fostering professional growth and elevating team capabilities.
• Perform peer reviews of software, ensuring quality, maintainability, and adherence to best practices.
• Drive continuous process improvement, collaborating with the team to optimize workflows, tools, and engineering practices.
• Assist with evaluating field tests, analyzing results and transitioning findings into actionable software enhancements.
• Engage directly with client project stakeholders, communicating technical progress, risks, and solutions effectively.
• Some travel (up to 25%) to support field testing, client engagements, and program milestones.

• A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a STEM field plus 12+ years of professional software development experience, or 10+ years of professional experience with a master’s degree.
• Understanding of data structures.
• Professional experience using C++ and Linux.
• Knowledge of the Linux operating system.
• Experience with software source control and configuration management tools.
• Significant experience working in a team environment, including guidance and coaching of other developers.
• Exposure to one or more of the following: high availability, sensor fusion, target tracking, path planning, communications systems, or military systems integration.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.

• Familiarity with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence).
• Familiarity with automated build processes (Bamboo, Jenkins, etc.).
• Professional experience using Java and front‑end development frameworks.
• Knowledge and experience with relational databases such as Oracle, MySQL, Postgre
  
  SQL, Maria
  
  DB, or Microsoft SQL Server.
• Experience with Python.
• Experience designing complex systems, considering performance and user requirements.
• Experience with interface communication standards / protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, and DDS.
• Familiarity with game theory, artificial intelligence, petri nets, safety‑critical software.
• Demonstrated experience with Docker and Kubernetes (RKE2) in containerization, Kubernetes management and automation technologies.
• Experience designing, implementing, and analyzing simulations involving extensive datasets, ensuring efficient data processing and accurate modeling outcomes.
• Proficient in applying vector geometry concepts for spatial analysis, modeling, and problem‑solving in simulation environments.
• Active Secret Security Clearance preferred.

Pay Range $ – $

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave, and Retirement. More details are available at

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.