Chief Software Engineer

Leidos is seeking a Chief Software Architect to join the CTO team for a complex, large-scale DoD program. In this role, you will be responsible for enterprise software architecture across multiple contracts/task orders, lead architecture governance, lead and oversee the planning and development of overall systems architectures, drive/perform analysis of alternatives to ensure mission solutions are secure, scalable, operable, and cost-effective. Our TNs provide next generation software capabilities to drive delivery across missions that include JIATF-S, DISN operations optimization, The White House, SAP missions across the DoD, Cross domain technologies and various combatant commands around the world.

Our Chief Software Architect is a leader of change in technology, process, and culture. This role drives cloud and hybrid-cloud architectures, emphasizing highly available and scalable service design, and advances DevSecOps automation to improve resilience, speed and reliability of software deliveries, and mean time to recovery (MTTR). You will be responsible for developing and maintaining the Software Technology Roadmap including architecture baselines and technical standards.

We are seeking a servant leader with deep engineering expertise and executive-level communications skills necessary to inspire, lead, direct, and develop sound/resilient architectural solutions for this complex program, while interfacing and building relationships.

This role is hybrid and is not fully remote. Candidates must be willing and able to work onsite at Ft. Meade, MD and Reston, VA on a regular basis.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead enterprise software architecture and design for DoW and DISA mission systems, including reference architecture, solution patterns, and technical standards.
• Partner with Task Order technical leadership to ensure implementation of software development best practices, standards, guidelines and drive consistency and best practices across business area.
• Drive innovation and industry trend awareness; Leading teams in DevOps & Agile best practices and mentor and guide technical teams, fostering innovation and excellence to improve quality, velocity, and operational outcomes.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define system requirements and translate them into solutions to ensure the security, scalability, and sustainability of all systems; Translating system requirements into secure, scalable solutions.
• Evaluate and integrate new technologies into architectures supporting both mission and business driven outcomes.
• Partner with the CTO organization to drive innovation, create of roadmaps, and invigorate thought leadership within the customer domain. Maintain and forward-looking perspective on industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Work with Business Development teams by shaping technical strategies, solution architectures, and win themes for new opportunities and on-contract growth.
• Define development processes, target metrics, and best practices to enable repeatable delivery and effective knowledge transfer. Ensuring security best practices are integrated into the development lifecycle, including compliance with data protection regulations.
• Deliver executive-level technical briefings to customer and internal leadership, communicating architecture decisions, risks, tradeoffs, and progress.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 17+ years of experience or a Master's degree with 15+ years of experience.
• Candidates should possess a DoD Clearance at the Top Secret level with the ability to obtain a SCI w/Poly preferred.
• Proficiency in multiple programming languages, cloud computing, distributed systems, and microservices architecture; In-depth knowledge of system architecture, design patterns, and best practices.
• Proficiency in cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or Oracle Cloud), distributed systems, and microservices architecture.
• Experience with data architectures and pipelines for structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data across various data repositories and data lakes.
• Experience with front-end technologies, UI/UX design, and DevSecOps tools, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience leading technical delivery in Agile environments, including Scrum ceremonies and experience with Agile work management tools such as JIRA and Confluence with an emphasis on operability and repeatable deployment.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and exceptional communication and presentation skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with customers, cross-functional teams, and stakeholders.
• Self-starter with the ability to engage with government stakeholder, program, and corporate senior leadership to develop and drive alignment, resolve complex technical issues, and make defensible decisions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree with 15+ years in systems architecture and leadership roles.
• Expert knowledge of modern software architecture (distributed systems, microservices, UI/UX design, APIs, event-driven patterns) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GPC, Oracle) including designing for scale, reliability, and maintainability
• Proven expertise in mission software solutions related to data science, machine learning, or similar technologies.
• Previous experience with the DISA domain, and the DoD or Intelligence Community communities.
• Experience applying data analytics and/or AI/ML capabilities within secure enterprise environments.
• Completed certifications in system architecture, cloud, or network solutions (e.g., TOGAF, AWS, Cisco, IBM, VMware).
• Demonstrated ability to drive technological innovation and serve as an agent of change within an organization.

At Leidos, we don't want someone who "fits the mold"-we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, "what's next?" before the dust settles on "what's now."

If you're already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2... good. You'll fit right in.

Original Posting:
January 8, 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.