Lead Python Software Engineer

Leidos•Gaithersburg, MD

1d•$87,100 - $157,450•Hybrid

About The Position

Leidos is seeking a Lead Python Software Engineer to join a dynamic team in Gaithersburg, MD. This role focuses on the development and maintenance of software designed to improve aircraft runway and terminal congestion. The project involves the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) program, which is a NextGen initiative aimed at enhancing air traffic operations in the National Airspace System (NAS) by providing an integrated surface traffic control and management system. The ideal candidate will possess skills in modern development (Python, Java, PHP), structured data (XML, XSD, XSLT, JSON, CSV), Agile/Scrum, AI-Assisted Development, and relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle). This position requires onsite support in Gaithersburg, MD three days a week.

Requirements

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 (Python, Java, PHP).
2+ years of combined experience with web development and building responsive UIs with modern front-end technologies.
Experience with Artificial Intelligence and AI-Assisted Development (Generative AI, LLMs, AI coding assistants, RAG, AI agents, prompt engineering, and AI MCP servers).
Experience working in Agile software development environments.
US citizenship or Permanent Residency required to obtain/maintain a Public Trust security clearance.
Experience developing modern Python applications using object-oriented design principles, type annotations, asynchronous programming, automated testing frameworks, and secure software development best practices.
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.
Experience with automated testing methodologies including unit, integration, end-to-end, and behavior-driven testing using tools such as pytest, Behave, Selenium, Playwright, and test automation frameworks.
Solid knowledge of front-end technologies including HTML5, JavaScript/TypeScript, CSS3, and responsive UI development principles.
Experience with UNIX and Linux operating systems and automating tasks with scripting languages like Bash, Shell.
Experience using DevOps and CI/CD tools including Git/Bitbucket, Bamboo/Jenkins, SonarQube, and automated build/deployment pipelines.

Nice To Haves

Solid understanding of modern Python libraries and frameworks, including GeoPandas, Fiona, Pillow, PyTesseract, and XMLDiff, with experience developing geospatial, document-processing, and data transformation applications.
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 PHP software development and Drupal.
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.

Responsibilities

Architect, design, develop, and implement next-generation applications using software engineering best practices in the latest technologies, including Infrastructure-as-Code and Configuration-as-Code (Terraform, Ansible).
Utilize Artificial Intelligence and AI-Assisted Development tools such as Generative AI, LLMs, AI coding assistants, RAG, AI agents, prompt engineering, and AI MCP servers.
Work with DevOps and CI/CD tooling including Bamboo, Docker, SonarQube, and Ansible.
Provide software expertise in areas such as application integration, RESTful services, Artificial Intelligence, security, workflow automation, module integration, user experience (UX), and accessibility compliance (Section 508/WCAG/USDS standards).
Investigate and repair application defects across all components: automation, front-end, business logic, middleware, or database (PL/SQL and Data Modeling).
Brief management, customers, teams, or vendors using written or oral communication skills, tailored to the audience's technical level.
Perform all other duties as assigned or directed.
Willingness to travel to customer sites.