Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead

Join the team transforming secure cloud operations for the future.

We’re seeking a Principal Engineer / Technical Lead to support the Compartmented Enterprise Services Office (CESO) in Arlington, VA. This effort is building a modern Secure Web Service (SWS) operation on a cutting-edge, highly automated platform designed to support a rapidly expanding customer base. In this role, you’ll help drive CESO’s migration to a high-security cloud environment, delivering key capabilities such as network and communication services, monitoring services, and system administration. If you’re ready to make an impact on a mission-critical DISA program and work with a team shaping the next generation of secure enterprise services, apply today!

This position is based in Arlington, VA and is 100% on-site.

Primary Responsibilities

• Engineering

  • Experience in working on teams utilizing Agile workflows and processes

  • Translate mission outcomes and prioritized product backlog items into technical delivery plans and sprint goals

  • Lead development and integration of secure APIs, data pipelines (structured/unstructured)

  • Experience with software development languages/environments such as: JavaScript. GitLab, Jenkins, Ansible Automation, Python, JavaScript, Java, PSSQL, YAML, and Terraform

  • Develop automated CI/CD build/deployment pipelines using Jenkins, Ansible and Bitbucket.

  • Implement DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, observability, and security controls

  • Implement software release version control, provide release management support throughout a software product's life cycle (initial software development through promotion to Test, QA and Production Environments), ensuring the consistency and reliability of software builds

• Organizational & Technical Leadership

  • Define and drive long-term technical strategy and architectural direction across teams

  • Oversee the design and delivery of scalable, secure, and maintainable software solutions

  • Serve as a senior technical authority and escalation point for cross-team and cross-domain issues

  • Champion engineering excellence, including automated testing, CI/CD, reliability, and security

  • Establish standards, best practices, and governance for software development

  • Guide the responsible adoption of generative AI tools across engineering teams

• People Management & Leadership Development

  • Lead, manage, and develop senior engineers and technical teams

  • Own performance management, career development, succession planning, and talent growth

  • Build and sustain a high-performing, inclusive engineering culture

  • Coach leaders on effective team management, delivery, and technical decision-making

• Delivery & Execution

  • Own delivery outcomes across multiple Agile teams, ensuring predictability and quality

  • Partner with product and business stakeholders to align roadmaps, priorities, and execution

  • Ensure effective Agile practices, metrics, and continuous improvement using Jira

  • Balance near-term delivery with long-term platform and technical investments

  • Incorporate customer feedback, operational insights, and data to drive product improvements

• Cross-Functional & Executive Collaboration

  • Act as a key engineering representative in cross-functional and leadership discussions

  • Communicate technical vision, risks, and progress to senior leadership

  • Influence product strategy through deep understanding of users and technical constraints

  • Drive alignment across engineering, product, design, and operations

Basic Qualifications

• Candidate must an active TS/SCI security clearance

• BA and 12+ years of experience. Additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

• Proven track record of leading multiple teams and delivering complex software systems

• Demonstrated leadership skills and attention to detail, including excellent organizational and documentation skills

• Strong background in automated testing, CI/CD, and modern software delivery practices

• Experience with software development languages/environments such as: JavaScript. GitLab, Jenkins, Ansible Automation, Python, JavaScript, Java, PSSQL, YAML, and Terraform

• Hands-on full-SDLC Agile Software Development experience, including full software lifecycle automation experience (design, development, test, deployment), including deployment to a production environment

• Experience designing, building, and deploying DevOps pipelines with Bitbucket, Git, Jenkins, Artifactory and Ansible (or equivalent tools)

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills

• Experience working in a high op-temp, top secret environment

• Previous experience tracking projects in Jira or equivalent Agile Project Management software

• Experience with the following technologies:

  • GitHub

  • Gradle

  • PowerShell

  • Java Full Stack

  • Oracle 19c

  • Webservices

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experienced with DISA and DISA’s support to mission partners

• Experience designing, developing, and deploying software in a cloud environment (AWS preferred).

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:

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:

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.