Leidos Defense Systems is seeking a talented Software Engineer to develop high-performance applications and backend systems supporting advanced sensor and mission systems. This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy building performant software today while growing into broader system-level and real-time development over time. We have offices across the United States engaging in the defense, space, cyber and commercial fields, we provide responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific and IT solutions.
Primary Responsibilities:
Candidate will support advanced technology radar programs develop user-facing and backend software that interfaces with high-performance sensor and data processing systems. These applications are tightly coupled with real-time data pipelines and hardware systems, requiring strong understanding of performance, data flow, and system behavior.
Engineers in this role are expected to grow into broader system ownership over time, contributing across application, middleware, and real-time components as needed.
Design, develop, and maintain C++-based applications and backend systems
Build software supporting data processing, visualization, and system control
Analyze and improve performance, latency, and scalability of software systems
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including software, systems, and hardware engineers
Support integration, testing, and deployment of software in operational environments
Contribute to evolving system capabilities, including future real-time and high-throughput processing components
Take ownership of systems and features end-to-end, from development through deployment and improvement
Basic Qualifications:
Candidate must possess a Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science degree from an ABET-accredited school with a strong demonstration of the skills listed below.
Candidate must have 8+ years of experience in software development.
Candidate must have excellent teamwork skills and possess strong fundamentals in the following:
Strong proficiency in modern C++
Experience with Linux-based systems
Experience with higher-level user application development
Experience working in performance-sensitive, distributed, or systems-oriented applications
Experience with multithreaded or concurrent programming
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment
Must have the ability to obtain and maintain and secret clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
Candidate with additional skills in the following is preferred:
Experience with messaging frameworks (e.g., ZeroMQ or similar)
Experience with containerization and CI/CD pipelines
Exposure to radar, RF, or sensor systems
Experience with tools such as MATLAB or similar for analysis or prototyping
Experience with Python
Experience with Flask, Angular TS, and SCSS
Experience with SQL-based Databases
Familiarity with mapping / GIS frameworks (ArcGIS, Openlayers, Mapproxy, Worldwind, etc)
Familiarity with AI coding assistants (e.g. Claude Code)
