Lead Software Developer

Leidos•Gaithersburg, MD

About The Position

We are seeking a Lead Software Developer who will be a member of a dynamic team Air Traffic Management program - SkyLine-X™ SkyLine-X™ provides an array of advanced air traffic management capabilities to improve aircraft safety, performance, and efficiency across the world’s airspace. Primary Responsibilities: Design, develop, and maintain software components both independently and as a key contributor within a SW team Actively participate in SW planning, estimation, statusing, and technical discussions, providing input on design and implementation approaches Analyze system and subsystem requirements and translate them into robust software designs using sound engineering principles Lead implementation of moderately complex features, ensuring code is scalable, maintainable, efficient, and aligned with system architecture Leverage AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Roo Code, Claude, ChatGPT, or similar) to enhance productivity across coding, debugging, testing, and documentation Exercise strong technical judgment in evaluating AI-generated outputs, identifying subtle defects, edge cases, performance issues, and security risks Develop, standardize, and promote effective prompting strategies and AI-assisted development workflows within the team Contribute to and help enforce best practices for responsible AI usage, including code validation, traceability, and compliance with project and security standards Perform code reviews, providing constructive feedback on both human- and AI-generated code Troubleshoot and resolve complex software issues and support integration and system-level testing activities Contribute to continuous improvement of development processes, tooling, and team efficiency, including integration of AI capabilities into workflows

Requirements

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance (US Citizenship required)
Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field and a minimum of 4 years of prior relevant experience
Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or Qt, with experience developing and maintaining production-quality code
Demonstrated experience using AI-assisted software development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Roo Code, or similar) to improve development efficiency and code quality
Strong ability to evaluate, validate, and refine AI-generated code, including identifying logical errors, edge cases, and security considerations
Solid understanding of software design principles, debugging techniques, testing methodologies, and code quality practices
Experience participating in code reviews and contributing to team development standards
Ability to work independently on moderately complex tasks and provide technical guidance to less experienced developers
Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment
Demonstrated initiative in improving development workflows, tools, and practices, including the adoption of AI-assisted techniques (Optional)

Nice To Haves

Experience helping define or standardize AI-assisted development practices within a team or project
Experience integrating AI tools into development pipelines, testing frameworks, or documentation processes
Familiarity with secure coding practices and validating AI-generated code in regulated or mission-critical environments
Prior experience mentoring junior developers or onboarding new team members

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain software components both independently and as a key contributor within a SW team
Actively participate in SW planning, estimation, statusing, and technical discussions, providing input on design and implementation approaches
Analyze system and subsystem requirements and translate them into robust software designs using sound engineering principles
Lead implementation of moderately complex features, ensuring code is scalable, maintainable, efficient, and aligned with system architecture
Leverage AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Roo Code, Claude, ChatGPT, or similar) to enhance productivity across coding, debugging, testing, and documentation
Exercise strong technical judgment in evaluating AI-generated outputs, identifying subtle defects, edge cases, performance issues, and security risks
Develop, standardize, and promote effective prompting strategies and AI-assisted development workflows within the team
Contribute to and help enforce best practices for responsible AI usage, including code validation, traceability, and compliance with project and security standards
Perform code reviews, providing constructive feedback on both human- and AI-generated code
Troubleshoot and resolve complex software issues and support integration and system-level testing activities
Contribute to continuous improvement of development processes, tooling, and team efficiency, including integration of AI capabilities into workflows