Description
Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?
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 sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to doing the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.
Your greatest work is ahead!
Leidos Defense Systems is seeking a talented Entry-Level Software Engineer to develop high-performance applications and backend systems supporting advanced sensor and mission systems. This role is ideal for early career engineers who want to build strong software fundamentals while gaining exposure to high-performance and real-time systems. 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.
If this sounds like the kind of environment where you can thrive, keep reading!
Leidos Defense Systems Sector provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions. To explore and learn more, click here!
Are you ready to make an impact? Share your resume with us today!
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 will have opportunities to grow into broader system ownership over time, contributing across application, middleware, and real-time components as needed.
- Contribute to development of C++ applications and backend systems
- Support integration, testing, and debugging of software
- Assist in improving performance and reliability of systems
- Collaborate with team members across software, systems, and hardware disciplines
- Learn and apply best practices in systems and performance-oriented software development
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 be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville – North Alabama, AL, area.
- Candidate must be a US Citizen.
- Candidate must be able to maintain Secret Clearance.
Candidate must have excellent teamwork skills and possess strong fundamentals in the following:
- Experience with at least one programming language (C++, Java, Python, or similar)
- Understanding of data structures, algorithms, and core computer science fundamentals
- Exposure to Linux, systems programming, or concurrent programming concepts
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Demonstrated ability to learn new technologies and work across different layers of the software stack
- Academic, internship, or personal project experience developing software
Preferred Qualifications:
Candidate with additional skills in the following is preferred:
- Exposure to messaging frameworks (e.g., ZeroMQ or similar)
- Exposure to containerization and CI/CD pipelines
- Interest in radar, RF, or sensor systems
- Exposure to tools such as MATLAB or similar for analysis or prototyping
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:
May 11, 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 $57,850.00 - $104,575.00
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.
About Leidos
Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.
Pay and Benefits
Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.
Securing Your Data
Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com.
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
