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Software Leadership Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Team Leadership: Act as the team lead for a small, cross-functional team of software engineers. Collaborate with other disciplines, including system and electrical engineers, to ensure seamless ...

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Software Leadership information

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$48K

$111.8K

$166K

How much do software leadership jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for software leadership in the United States is $111,845.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,000.00 and $130,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is software leadership?

Software leadership refers to the practice of guiding and managing teams involved in the development, deployment, and maintenance of software projects. Software leaders, such as engineering managers or technical leads, are responsible for aligning team efforts with business goals, fostering collaboration, and supporting the professional growth of their team members. They also ensure that software projects are delivered on time, meet quality standards, and leverage best practices in technology. Strong software leadership is crucial for building high-performing teams and successful software products.

What is the difference between Software Leadership vs Software Engineering Manager?

AspectSoftware LeadershipSoftware Engineering Manager
Primary FocusStrategic vision, team guidance, and organizational goalsProject delivery, team management, and technical oversight
Required CredentialsExtensive technical experience, leadership skills, often advanced degreesTechnical background, management experience, often certifications like PMP or Scrum
Work EnvironmentExecutive meetings, strategic planning, cross-team collaborationTeam supervision, project planning, code reviews
Industry UsageUsed in organizations emphasizing strategic tech directionCommon in tech companies managing development teams

Software Leadership focuses on setting strategic direction and guiding multiple teams, while Software Engineering Managers handle day-to-day project management and team oversight. Both roles require technical expertise, but Software Leadership emphasizes vision and organizational impact, whereas Engineering Managers focus on project execution and team performance.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in software leadership roles, and how can they effectively address them?

Software leaders often encounter challenges such as balancing technical decision-making with people management, aligning team goals with organizational objectives, and managing distributed or cross-functional teams. To address these challenges, successful leaders focus on clear communication, foster a collaborative culture, and invest in ongoing professional development for both themselves and their teams. Regular feedback sessions, prioritizing mentorship, and staying up-to-date with industry best practices can help leaders navigate these complexities effectively.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Software Leadership, and why are they important?

To thrive in Software Leadership, you need a strong background in software development, project management, and team leadership, often supported by a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with agile methodologies, version control systems (like Git), and project management tools (such as Jira or Trello) is typically required. Outstanding communication, strategic thinking, and the ability to mentor and motivate teams are key soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering high-quality software, fostering innovation, and ensuring team productivity within fast-paced tech environments.
More about Software Leadership jobs
What cities are hiring for Software Leadership jobs? Cities with the most Software Leadership job openings:
What states have the most Software Leadership jobs? States with the most job openings for Software Leadership jobs include:
Infographic showing various Software Leadership job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,845 per year, or $53.8 per hour.
Radar / Electronic Warfare Software Lead

Radar / Electronic Warfare Software Lead

Leidos

Huntsville, AL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Leidos rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 426 rated business services


Job description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?
At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is grounded in a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide how we work.
Your greatest work is ahead
Leidos Defense Persistent Surveillance Portfolio is seeking an experienced Electronic Warfare Software Lead to drive the technical direction and execution of a large, multi-phase U.S. Air Force EW and radar program. This role spans concurrent development, integration, test, production, and sustainment activities, with a strong emphasis on modern electronic warfare capabilities and real-time software systems.
With locations across the United States supporting defense, space, cyber, and commercial programs, the Leidos Defense Systems Sector provides responsive, cost-effective engineering, scientific, and IT solutions.
If this sounds like an environment where you can thrive, keep reading.
About Leidos Defense
Leidos Defense delivers a broad portfolio of systems, solutions, and services across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace. Our capabilities include mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence operations support. We solve the world's toughest security challenges for missions that demand absolute reliability.
Primary Responsibilities
This position is based at Leidos' main campus in Huntsville, AL. The selected candidate will partner with executive leadership, program managers, chief engineers, and cross-functional teams to:
  • Lead the software architecture, design, and development of advanced electronic warfare systems, including RF sensing, signal processing, and countermeasure capabilities
  • Provide technical leadership across the full software lifecycle, ensuring alignment with mission requirements, performance constraints, and system integration needs
  • Oversee development of real-time, high-performance software supporting EW and radar platforms, including embedded and distributed systems
  • Guide the evolution and sustainment of EW software frameworks, ensuring scalability, modularity, and reuse across programs
  • Mentor and grow a high-performing engineering team, fostering technical excellence and leadership development
  • Collaborate with business development to shape EW-focused solutions, support proposals, and expand customer relationships
  • Ensure adherence to software engineering best practices, including DevSecOps, automated testing, configuration management, and secure coding

Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field, with 4-8 years of relevant experience or Master's with 2-6 years.
  • Experience with real-time systems, signal processing, and high-throughput data processing architectures
  • Experience serving in a technical software leadership role
  • Proficiency in C++ and object-oriented design, with experience in performance-critical applications
  • Solid foundation in modern software engineering practices, including code reviews, CI/CD, and test-driven development
  • Ability to contribute to technical strategy and business development efforts
  • Strong organizational and communication skills
  • Must be a U.S. citizenship
  • Must be able to obtain a Secret and Top Secret security clearance
  • Reside in or willingness to relocate to the Huntsville, AL area

Preferred Qualifications
  • Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline
  • Strong background in EW concepts, such as electronic attack, electronic protection, and electronic support
  • Demonstrated experience developing electronic warfare, RF systems, or radar software in a team-based environment
  • Deep expertise in electronic warfare systems and architectures
  • Experience with GPU acceleration (CUDA), MATLAB, or advanced algorithm development
  • Familiarity with FPGA development (VHDL/Verilog) and hardware/software integration
  • Experience leading teams and building high-performance engineering organizations
  • Prior experience supporting U.S. Air Force or DoD EW programs
  • Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance

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.
Original Posting:
April 29, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that 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 as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and 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.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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