Trainee Software Engineer Java Python Jobs in Walkersville, 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 SME 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:

• Design, build, test, and maintain software applications for the System.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop features, fix defects, and improve system performance.

• Prepare, maintain, and execute a Software Engineering Plan (SWP) for managing all aspects of the software lifecycle.

• Establish and operate a SAFE Agile development process, including prioritizing product backlog items and scheduling Agile sprint cycles.

• Maintain and operate the DevSecOps factory, including automated DevSecOps pipelines.

• Perform software development and integration for System software, including infrastructure, data tools, customer tools, cybersecurity, and user interfaces.

• Translate systems engineering and reference architecture designs into software designs.

• Implement and maintain source code, Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), and Configuration-as-Code (CaC).

• Harden and secure virtual machines (VM) and containers in accordance with DoD standards.

• Plan, design, and implement software testing tools, processes, and procedures.

• Prepare, maintain, and execute an System Test Plan (STP) based on CI/CD and DevSecOps principles.

• Conduct automated testing, including unit, regression, security, integration, compliance, performance, and acceptance testing.

• Conduct configuration management operations to control, identify, record, and report IT components and relationships.

• Establish and maintain development, test, integration, staging, and production environments for the System.

• Deliver and maintain all software artifacts on Government-owned software repositories.

• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior and mid-level developers without formal people management responsibility.

Basic Qualifications:

• Active Secret clearance.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline and 12+ years of relevant experience OR Master's degree in a related field and 10 + years of relevant experience.

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in software development and engineering.

• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) and Configuration-as-Code (CaC).

• 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 working in containerized environments (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).

• Experience with DevSecOps practices and tools.

• Experience integrating software into CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps environments (e.g., GitLab, Jenkins, or similar).

• Experience operating within SAFe or large-scale Agile frameworks supporting enterprise systems.

• Knowledge of DoD Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and container hardening standards.

• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active TS clearance.

• SAFe Agilist (SA) or related SAFe certification.

• Demonstrated expertise in secure software development practices and automated testing frameworks.

• Experience supporting software development across multi-enclave DoD environments.

• Experience integrating AI/ML model services into production environments.

• Experience implementing automated security scanning and compliance validation in pipelines.

• Experience with cloud-native development in AWS GovCloud, C2S, SC2S, Azure, or GCP.

• Experience contributing to enterprise-level architecture design decisions.

Clearance Required:

• Must possess an Active Secret clearance at time of consideration.

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.