Lead Software Engineer Hypersonics Programs

Job Description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

Your greatest work is ahead!

Leidos' Defense Systems is seeking a Hypersonics Programs Lead Software Engineer! We need an experienced Embedded Software developer to lead all aspects of our Hypersonic Systems Guidance, Navigation, and Control software development. You will join a dynamic, yet close-knit team focused on solving the challenges posed by hypersonic flight regimes. We value work life balance, with a convenient location in The Rocket City, beautiful Huntsville, Alabama. We enjoy working collaboratively in an onsite work environment and offer exceptional benefits like a strong 401k retirement plan, medical, disability and so much more!

If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!

Leidos Defense Systems Sector provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world's toughest security challenges for customers with "can't fail" missions. To explore and learn more, click here!

Are you ready to make an impact? Share your resume with us today!

Primary Responsibilities

• Directly code and coordinate software efforts across multiple programs including embedded software, ground support software, test equipment software, and software in the loop (SWIL) and hardware in the loop (HWIL) simulators.
• Lead development of embedded software and firmware for hypersonic programs.
• Work with the engineering teams to design, develop, and integrate space sensor hardware and software, including sensor electronics, FPGA processing boards, DSP/ARM/PowerPC boards, PCI & VPX busses, health, and status circuits, and sensor data interfaces.
• Participate, and lead all phases of the software development effort including detailed requirements flow down, trade studies, processing architecture design, hardware selection, firmware and software development, sensor and payload integration and test, hypersonic vehicle I&T
• Collaborate with signal processing experts, other software leads, and FPGA designers.
• Mentor Junior software engineers in good engineering practice.
• CI/CD Integration: Experience with continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) tools like Jenkins Agents or GitLab Runners.
• Perform Security Testing to identify vulnerabilities in software and static code analysis.
• Support Test Automation: Utilize proficiency in industry-standard tools and frameworks such as Python, Java, Python, Xray for Jira or similar technologies.
• Model system performance using MATLAB or similar toolset.
• Debugging: Utilize strong debugging skills to identify and analyze software defects and issues in a systematic manner.
• Leverage strong documentation skills to create and maintain software architecture-related documentation and models.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills, both written and verbal, to collaborate with cross-functional teams and report on progress and results.
• Troubleshoot and address complex testing challenges.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or related field, from an ABET accredited institution
• 8+ years of software engineering experience or a Masters Degree with 6+ years of experience. Additional applicable experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• ship with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance.
• Languages: Strong proficiency in languages such as Python, Java, Rust, C and C++ with the ability to write, maintain, and troubleshoot code.
• Demonstrated experience working in and leading engineering teams.
• Version Control: Proficient in using version control systems (e.g., GitLab, SVN) to manage source code in a defined branching structure.
• Agile/Scrum: Working knowledge of Agile Principles and the Scrum framework
• Documentation: Strong documentation skills to create and maintain software architecture related documentation and models.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to troubleshoot and address complex testing challenges.
• Security Testing: Familiarity with security testing tools and practices to identify vulnerabilities in software and static code analysis.
• Proficiency with multiple operating systems (Mac OSX, Windows, LINUX, etc.)
• Proficiency with MS Office Products (Word, Excel, Visio, & PowerPoint) team player who can express and explain their ideas to others
• ship is required

Preferred Qualifications:

• DoD Secret Clearance or above

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:
December 1, 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 $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

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.