Lead Software Developer

About the Team and Mission

Leidos is seeking a Lead Software Developer to join a dynamic team in Gaithersburg, MD, dedicated to solving critical challenges in national airspace efficiency. As nationwide congestion increases, the need for advanced aircraft traffic planning has never been more urgent.

This role is central to the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) program, a key component of the NextGen initiative. The TFDM serves as the surface management solution designed to provide NextGen Air Traffic Control capabilities, improving operations within the National Airspace System (NAS). By integrating surface traffic control and management, the program aims to deliver efficiency for both airport surfaces and terminal airspace.

The team works on a comprehensive suite of tools including Surface Collaborative Decision Making (SCDM), departure schedulers, Electronic Flight Data (EFD), and the Enhanced Air Traffic Control Tower Traffic Flow Management System. The ultimate goal is to create a continuous, real-time picture of traffic volume and airport resources. This enables controllers, aircraft operators, and airports to share data electronically, stage arrivals and departures more effectively, and manage traffic flow for greater efficiency from gate to gate.

About the Role

As a Lead Software Developer, you will architect, design, and implement next-generation applications using software engineering best practices. You will be a forward-looking professional tasked with building and maintaining the software that drives these critical improvements. Your work will involve providing expertise in application integration, RESTful services, security, workflow automation, and accessibility compliance. You will also be responsible for investigating and repairing application defects across all components, from automation and front-end logic to middleware and databases.

Beyond technical execution, you will serve as a bridge between technical teams and stakeholders. You will brief management, customers, and vendors on technical matters, ensuring clear communication at the appropriate level. This role requires a strong candidate who can thrive in an Agile environment while leveraging modern development stacks to solve complex problems in the air traffic domain.

Hiring Process and Application

Leidos is recruiting individuals who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. We are looking for those who outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo to meet the demands of our mission. If you are ready to move beyond the status quo and contribute to a team that is already at step 30, we invite you to apply.

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance. For U.S. positions, 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.

Equal Opportunity and Culture

At Leidos, we are not just hiring followers; we are recruiting the ones who drive the mission forward. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We consider qualified applicants regardless of background, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Join a team that values innovation and refuses to accept the status quo.