Senior R&D Software Developer Jobs in Frederick, MD

This Department of War enterprise data and analytics program delivers mission-critical capabilities that enable leaders across the Department to make faster, better-informed decisions using trusted data at scale. Leidos Digital Modernization sector is seeking an experienced Senior Software Developer to support the delivery, enhancement, and adoption of enterprise data and analytics products used across multiple DoD organizations.

In this role, you will work alongside government partners, engineers, and other industry teammates to translate operational and strategic requirements into scalable, production-ready solutions. You will contribute directly to product planning, execution, and continuous improvement, helping ensure capabilities are delivered efficiently, aligned to mission priorities, and positioned for sustained success.

This position offers the opportunity to work on a high-visibility enterprise program at the intersection of data, analytics, and emerging AI technologies. Ideal candidates are motivated by mission impact, comfortable operating in complex stakeholder environments, and interested in building deep domain expertise while delivering capabilities with real-world national security outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop, test, and maintain application-level software including backend services, APIs, and user-facing components.
• Establish and maintain development, test, integration, staging, and production environments for the System.
• Implement features and enhancements using modern programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, JavaScript, or similar).
• Build and integrate APIs and microservices to support platform and application functionality.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop features, fix defects, and improve system performance.
• Contribute to development of front-end and back-end components for enterprise applications.
• Integrate software into DevSecOps pipelines for automated build, testing, and deployment .
• Prepare, maintain, and execute an System Test Plan (STP) based on CI/CD and DevSecOps principles.
• Prepare, maintain, and execute a Software Engineering Plan (SWP) for managing all aspects of the software lifecycle.
• Implement and maintain source code, Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), and Configuration-as-Code (CaC).
• Conduct configuration management operations to control, identify, record, and report IT components and relationships.
• Perform debugging, troubleshooting, and resolution of application defects and performance issues.
• Ensure adherence to secure coding practices and support remediation of vulnerabilities.
• Harden and secure virtual machines (VM) and containers in accordance with DoD standards.
• Plan, design, and implement software testing tools, processes, and procedures.
• Support software testing including unit, integration, and user acceptance testing.
• Deliver and maintain all software artifacts on Government-owned software repositories.
• Translate systems engineering and reference architecture designs into software designs.
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to development standards and best practices.
• Participate in SAFe ceremonies including PI Planning, backlog refinement, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.

Basic Qualifications:

• Active Secret clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Engineering, or related technical discipline and 8-12 years of relevant experience OR Master's degree in a related field and 6-10 years of relevant experience.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in software development and engineering.
• Experience developing enterprise software solutions using modern programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, Go, C++, or similar).
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++.
• Experience building and integrating RESTful APIs and microservices architectures.
• Experience integrating software into CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps environments (e.g., GitLab, Jenkins, or similar).
• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) and Configuration-as-Code (CaC).
• Experience with DevSecOps practices and tools.
• Experience operating within SAFe or Agile frameworks supporting enterprise systems.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active Top Secret clearance.
• SAFe Agilist (SA) or related SAFe certification.
• Knowledge of DoD Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and container hardening standards.
• Experience supporting software development across multi-enclave DoD environments.
• Experience with cloud-native development in AWS GovCloud, C2S, SC2S, Azure, or GCP.
• Experience contributing to enterprise-level architecture design decisions.
• Experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience integrating with data platforms, AI/ML services, or analytics systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in secure software development practices and automated testing frameworks.
• Experience implementing automated security scanning and compliance validation in pipelines.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.