Principal Java Developer

About the role

Leidos has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Principal Java Developer to join our Intel Security Sector's Analysis Solutions Business Area in Bethesda, Maryland. Our talented team is at the forefront of Security Engineering, Computer Network Operations (CNO), Mission Software, Analytical Methods and Modeling, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and Cryptographic Key Management, delivering innovative technical solutions that support critical national security missions.

This is an outstanding opportunity for an accomplished software development professional to apply advanced technical expertise, help shape backend architecture, mentor fellow developers, and contribute to sophisticated software solutions that directly support the Intelligence Community.

Located just outside Washington, D.C., Bethesda, Maryland, offers an ideal combination of exciting career opportunities and quality of life. With vibrant neighborhoods, highly regarded schools, outstanding restaurants and entertainment, beautiful parks, and convenient access to Washington, D.C., and the surrounding National Capital Region, Bethesda is a great place to advance your career while enjoying everything the area has to offer.

At Leidos, we recognize the value of our employees and offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits package, including Paid Time Off, 11 paid holidays, a 401(k) with a 6% company match and immediate vesting, flexible schedules, discounted stock purchase plans, technical upskilling, education and training support, paid parental leave, and much more.

Join Leidos and put your technical expertise and leadership to work supporting missions that make a difference in National Security!

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Java Developer to support the Agile development, operations, and maintenance of mission-critical systems. Working within a DevOps framework, the successful candidate will contribute to major project deliverables throughout the software development lifecycle, including scope definition and work estimation, architecture and design, coding, and unit testing.

In this role, you will apply your advanced software engineering expertise to develop and maintain high-performance applications, contribute to backend architectural decisions, mentor team members, and collaborate with cross-functional Agile teams to address complex customer requirements.

This position offers an opportunity to influence technical solutions, leverage modern cloud and DevOps technologies, and deliver innovative capabilities that directly support important national security missions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Backend Development: Design, develop, test, and maintain high-performance, scalable backend microservices using Java and the Spring Framework to meet customer information technology needs.
• Technical Leadership and Architecture: Participate in software programming initiatives, shape backend architecture, mentor team members, and conduct code reviews to support the delivery of reliable, high-quality software solutions.
• Testing and Automation: Develop and direct software system validation and testing methods using JUnit and Katalon, leveraging integrated, custom-developed software solutions to support automated deployment technologies.
• Cloud-Based Development: Develop, prototype, and deploy solutions within a cloud-based platform, leveraging available platform services.
• Infrastructure Analysis and Coordination: Analyze infrastructure requirements through proof-of-concept development, performance testing, and end-to-end testing, and effectively coordinate infrastructure needs driven by developed software to meet customer mission requirements.
• Agile Collaboration: Support the Agile software development lifecycle following Program SAFe practices, coordinating closely with team members, Product Owners, and Scrum Masters to ensure User Story alignment and implementation in accordance with customer use cases.
• DevOps and Configuration Management: Document and perform systems software development activities, including deploying build artifacts across different environments using GitFlow constructs and industry-leading DevOps tools such as GitHub, Jenkins, and scripting languages (e.g., Python and Bash).
• Continuous Improvement: Apply and identify software development best practices and standard operating procedures to create innovative solutions that address customers' technical needs.

Security Clearance Requirement

All candidates for consideration MUST possess an active TS/SCI with polygraph security clearance.

Required Skills, Education, and Experience

• In-depth experience with common Agile practices, service-oriented environments, and software development practices.
• In-depth experience with Java and the Spring Framework, microservices architecture and design patterns, implementing RESTful APIs, and integrating with relational and NoSQL databases.
• In-depth experience integrating with and delivering software solutions within DevOps toolsets and practices.
• Direct experience utilizing software testing and performance tools, such as JUnit, and scripting languages, including Python and Bash, within an Agile development environment.
• In-depth experience developing solutions in commercial cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, Azure) and leveraging cloud data services (e.g., S3, RDS, EFS).
• In-depth experience utilizing version control systems and issue/problem tracking systems.
• Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree with 12 or more years of prior relevant experience, or a Master's degree with 10 or more years of relevant experience. Additional years of experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing software that interfaces with data technologies, including Elasticsearch, Postgres, DynamoDB, Kafka, AWS SQS/SNS, AWS Lambda, and AWS S3.
• Experience with SAFe development practices.
• #CABARESTON
• #ASBA
• #HALO

Additional information

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: October 27, 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 $131,300.00 - $237,350.00

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.