Lead Software Developer

R-00183468

Description

Leidos is seeking a Lead Software Developer, who will be a member of a dynamic team in Gaithersburg, MD, working on the development/maintenance of software that improves aircraft runway and terminal congestion.

Nationwide congestion is increasing, and the need for efficient aircraft traffic planning is critical. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) is the surface management solution that will provide NextGen Air Traffic Control capabilities to improve air traffic operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). The Terminal Flight Data Management (TFDM) program is a Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) NextGen program based on airport surface management that provides efficiency for both the airport surface and terminal airspace by providing a new and comprehensive integrated surface traffic control and management system. We are a team of forward-looking professionals in need of a strong candidate with these key required skills : Modern Development (PHP, Python, Java ), Structured Data (XML, XSD, XSLT, JSON, CSV), Agile / Scrum development, Drupal, relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle).

TFDM functions include Surface Collaborative Decision making (SCDM), departure scheduler and other airport decision tools Electronic Flight Data (EFD); Enhanced Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Traffic Flow Management System (TFMS) Replacement or integration of multiple systems in the National Airspace System (NAS). TFDM will share data among controllers, aircraft operators, and airports so they can better stage arrivals and departures and manage traffic flow within terminal airspace for greater efficiency. Stakeholders will have a shared awareness of flights on the ground and in the air, the ability to exchange data electronically, with the goal of a continuous real-time picture of traffic volume and airport resources, making flights more efficient from gate to gate. 

Responsibilities:

• Architect, design, develop, and implement next-generation application using software engineering best practices in the latest technologies:
  • Infrastructure-as-Code and Configuration-as-Code (Terraform, Ansible)
  • Content Management System (Drupal, WordPress)
  • DevOps and CI/CD tooling (Bamboo, Docker, SonarQube, Ansible)
• Provide software expertise in one or more of these areas: application integration, RESTful services, Drupal administration, security, workflow automation, module integration, user experience (UX), and accessibility compliance (Section 508/WCAG/USDS standards).
• Investigate and repair application defects regardless of component: automation, front-end, business logic, middleware, or database (PL/SQL and Data Modeling).
• Brief management, customer, team, or vendors using written or oral skills at appropriate technical level for audience
• All other duties as assigned or directed

FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS ( Basic Qualifications )

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, mathematics, engineering, or related technical discipline. Master’s or Doctorate degree may substitute for required experience.
• 5+ years of combined experience with modern software development (PHP, Python, Java)
• 3+ years of combined experience with web development and building responsive UIs with modern front-end technologies
• Experience working in Agile software development environments.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance.

FACTORS TO HELP YOU SHINE ( Required Skills )

These skills will help you succeed in this position:

• Solid understanding of modern PHP frameworks (Drupal, Laravel, Symfony).
• Experience developing modern PHP applications using object-oriented programming principles and contemporary PHP language features including typed properties and union types.
• Proven experience designing, developing, and maintaining software applications used to create, validate, transform, and manage structured data formats including JSON, CSV, XML, XSD, and XSLT.
• Demonstrated knowledge of XML schema design (XSD), XSLT transformations, and structured data validation techniques.
• Experience with automated testing methodologies including unit, integration, and behavior-driven testing using tools such as PHPUnit, Behat/Cucumber, Selenium, or equivalent frameworks.
• Solid knowledge of front-end technologies including HTML5, JavaScript/TypeScript, CSS3, and responsive UI development principles.
• Strong experience in automating tasks with scripting languages like Bash, Shell, or Python
• Experience in use of the UNIX and Linux operating systems
• Experience using DevOps and CI/CD tools including Git/Bitbucket, Bamboo/Jenkins, SonarQube, and automated build/deployment pipelines.

HOW TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD (Desired Skills)

Showcase your knowledge of modern development through the following experience or skills:

• Strong experience with Ansible Automation and authoring playbooks and roles for installing, maintaining, or upgrading platforms
• Experience building, packaging, and deploying software applications in Linux environments using RPM-based distribution mechanisms.
• Experience deploying or supporting applications in AWS cloud environments, related certifications.
• Experience with AI assisted software development.
• Experience using Atlassian collaboration and development tools including Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, and Bamboo.
• Experience with relational databases including PostgreSQL, MySQL , and Oracle including SQL optimization and ORM technologies such as Doctrine or Eloquent.
• Experience with FAA and air traffic domain knowledge.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites

ATMC

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: May 15, 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 $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

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.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com .

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits .

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com .

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission .

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

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.