Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.

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Leidos has filed 4 layoff notices in the last twelve months, covering 404 workers, most recently September 2026. These are public filings with state labor departments, and an open role can sit alongside them. See the filings

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About the job

If you’ve been building your skills in backend development, object‑oriented programming, and mission‑driven engineering , and you’re ready for work that actually moves the needle, this is the kind of opportunity cleared engineers pursue when they want to grow while making real impact. If you take pride in your craft, enjoy solving meaningful technical problems, and want your work to support a mission with visibility at senior levels, you’ll thrive here.

We’re hiring a Backend Software Engineer to support a high‑visibility, data‑driven application used across the organization for analytics and reporting. You’ll help build and maintain core backend services, develop RESTful APIs, support data‑driven functionality, and contribute to ongoing system enhancements within a Linux‑based environment. Your work will directly support system reliability, performance, and data accuracy for mission stakeholders. Our primary development team operates out of Gaithersburg, MD , but we also support onsite engineers in Chantilly, VA , Alexandria, VA; Aurora, CO; St. Louis, MO; and Tucson, AZ , giving top talent multiple paths to join the mission.

And while the requisition requirements may seem standard fare, the position is not; as it will join a high performing team that is changing the way digital engineering and mission operations intelligence is enabled for our customer.

Why This Role Stands Out

High Impact: Your work supports a widely used application that drives real‑time decision‑making

High Visibility: Collaborate with engineering teams and mission stakeholders across programs

Career Growth: Build deeper expertise in backend development, API design, and scalable systems

Challenging Work: Contribute to complex backend features — not routine maintenance tasks

Essential Responsibilities

Backend Development: Design, develop, test, and maintain backend application components using Java or Python

REST API Development: Develop and maintain RESTful services to support application functionality and system integrations

Object-Oriented Programming: Apply object-oriented design principles to build scalable and maintainable systems

Database Development: Write and modify SQL queries to support application functionality and data retrieval

Data Source Collaboration: Collaborate with internal and external teams to understand data sources, formats, and access methods, and support integration into backend systems

Linux Environments: Develop and troubleshoot applications within Linux-based environments

Data Processing & Business Logic: Implement backend logic for data transformation, processing, and system workflows

Bug Fixing & Enhancements: Identify, debug, and resolve application-level defects and performance issues

Code Quality: Follow coding standards, participate in code reviews, and support documentation efforts

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field with 4–8 years of experience; or a Master’s degree with 2–6 years of experience

US Citizenship

Active TS/SCI with the ability to successfully pass a Polygraph

Professional experience developing object‑oriented applications in Java or Python

Hands‑on experience building and maintaining RESTful APIs

Basic to moderate experience with SQL capability, including writing queries and working with relational databases

Working knowledge of Linux‑based environments

Ability to work independently on defined tasks within established technical frameworks and deliver reliable results

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Apache Airflow or similar workflow orchestration technologies

Experience with Spring Boot, Django, or similar backend frameworks

Exposure to CI/CD pipelines (GitLab, Jenkins, etc.)

Familiarity with containerization (Docker, OpenShift)

Exposure to cloud environments (AWS or Azure)

Experience working in Agile development environments

#NSBA

#MARU

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: August 28, 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.