Principal Software Engineer (AI-Enabled Platforms & Tools)

Leidos • Reston, VA

1d

About The Position

This is not a maintenance role. This is a reinvention role. Leidos is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to provide technical leadership for the design and delivery of AI-enabled software platforms and developer tools that support modernization of mission-critical systems. This Principal Software Engineer role is responsible for system-level technical leadership and defines architectural direction within their domain, resolves complex cross-cutting technical challenges, and shapes how teams design, build, and operate software. The Principal Engineer is a hands-on technical leader who influences outcomes through technical excellence, architectural clarity, and mentorship, not through formal management authority. This is a role for builders who bias toward action, who believe disruption can coexist with rigor, and who want to apply cutting-edge AI to the problems that matter most. Mission Context Our teams modernize software systems that support critical national missions across regulated and safety-critical domains. These systems require: High reliability, security, and resilience Scalable and maintainable architectures Responsible, governed use of AI technologies As a Principal Software Engineer, you will shape the technical foundations that enable these systems to evolve safely and efficiently over time. Why Join Us? Shape the technical foundations of mission-critical systems Lead real production engineering—not slideware architecture Apply AI responsibly to complex, high-stakes problems Operate at the highest technical level without moving into management

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field
• 12+ years of relevant software engineering experience
• Demonstrated experience leading the design of complex, distributed systems
• Expert proficiency in two or more modern programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, Go, TypeScript)
• Deep understanding of: Service-based or microservice architectures Cloud-native systems and deployment models Software quality, security, and operational best practices
• Deep understanding of Kubernetes and container orchestration: GitOps deployments Service Mesh Role of tools like Helm and Kustomize
• Proven ability to influence technical direction without formal authority
• Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Experience designing or integrating AI-enabled or data-driven systems in production
• Experience of working with agentic solutions in Kubernetes: E.g. KServe, KAgent Agent Gateways Agent Registries GPU enabled nodes
• Working in secure or regulated environments
• Background in developer tools, platform modernization, or large-scale system evolution

Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Architecture Serve as the technical owner for major systems or platforms within an established strategic direction
• Define and evolve architectural patterns, design standards, and reference implementations
• Lead design reviews and guide teams toward sound technical decisions
• Identify and resolve complex technical risks spanning multiple components or teams
• Hands-On Engineering Design and implement critical or high-risk components
• Review and elevate code quality across teams through deep technical feedback
• Prototype and validate new approaches before broader adoption
• Ensure systems meet requirements for scalability, reliability, security, and maintainability
• AI-Enabled Systems Leadership Lead the technical design of AI-enabled capabilities using approved models, frameworks, and platforms
• Establish patterns for: AI integration and orchestration Evaluation, testing, and validation Safety, governance, and human-in-the-loop controls
• Guide teams in applying AI responsibly within production systems
• Cross-Team Influence & Mentorship Act as a technical authority and escalation point across multiple teams
• Mentor Senior and mid-level engineers by setting a high technical bar
• Influence engineering practices, tooling, and standards through example and guidance
• Collaborate with product, security, and platform leaders to align technical solutions with mission needs

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 here.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees