Leidos has a new and exciting opportunity for a Principal Software Engineer i n our Intelligence Sector's Cyber & Analytics Business Area (CABA). Our talented team is at the forefront in Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management. At Leidos, we offer competitive benefits, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid Holidays, 401K with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, Flexible Schedules, Discounted Stock Purchase Plans, Technical Upskilling, Education and Training Support, Parental Paid Leave, and much more.**Join us and make a difference in National Security! **

Job Summary

As a Principal Software Engineer, you will lead the development and evolution of mission‑critical satellite communication software. This role is highly customer‑facing and requires the ability to translate complex operational needs into reliable, high‑performance software solutions. You will work across the full lifecycle—from design through deployment—while collaborating closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure systems meet demanding technical and mission requirements.

Primary Responsibilities

• Translate user requirements into detailed software designs for new capabilities and system enhancements.

• Develop maintainable, production‑quality C++ software for satellite communication applications.

• Troubleshoot and resolve defects through systematic debugging and log analysis.

• Design and implement database or data‑repository interfaces to support application data flows.

• Build performance‑critical algorithms that meet strict timing, resource, and interface constraints.

• Incorporate automated testing into the development workflow, including unit and integration tests.

• Produce clear technical documentation and collaborate with architects, QA, and project leadership to ensure successful delivery.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related discipline and Twenty (20) or more years of software engineering experience. Four (4) years of additional SWE experience on projects with similar software processes may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.

• Proficiency in C++, including experience with real‑time or performance‑sensitive systems.

• Experience with RF signal analysis or satellite communications concepts.

• Familiarity with DevOps tools and environments (VMware, Docker, Kubernetes).

• Experience with message queues and communication protocols.

• Ability to design and troubleshoot complex algorithms under strict performance constraints.

• Experience integrating automated testing into the development lifecycle.

• Strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills.

• Clearance Requirement: Active TS/SCI with polygraph

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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:

February 3, 2026

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 $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

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.