Software Architect Lead

The Software Architect Lead serves as the senior technical authority and people leader for the software domain supporting the Integrated Defensive Cyberspace System (IDCS). The position is responsible for the architecture, integration, technical direction, and engineering leadership of the software capabilities that make up the delivered mission solution.

The Lead provides direct leadership over the Mission Systems and Mission Systems Integration & Automation teams and ensures mission applications, integration services, CI/CD capabilities, automation, and deployment mechanisms operate as a cohesive, secure, scalable, and supportable solution.

The Software Architect Lead reports to the Program Manager and works closely with the Chief Engineer to ensure software architecture and engineering decisions align with the overall technical baseline.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as the senior technical authority for software architecture, application integration, automation, and software engineering.
• Lead and manage the Mission Systems and Mission Systems Integration & Automation teams.
• Establish and maintain software architecture, engineering standards, design patterns, interfaces, and integration approaches.
• Translate approved mission and customer requirements into software architectures, technical requirements, and implementation approaches.
• Provide technical oversight for mission applications, C2 capabilities, SIEM/SOAR integrations, data analytics capabilities, and other software solutions.
• Provide technical direction for CI/CD pipelines, application integration, automated build processes, kit-building automation, packaging, and deployment automation.
• Ensure software solutions integrate effectively with enterprise infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, identity, container, and platform capabilities.
• Evaluate technologies and technical approaches based on mission need, security, interoperability, scalability, maintainability, and technical risk.
• Lead software architecture and design reviews and provide technical recommendations to program leadership and Government stakeholders.
• Coordinate with Infrastructure, Cloud, SIL, Cybersecurity, RMF, Test, Configuration Management, Product Support, and Product Delivery teams to resolve technical issues and dependencies.
• Oversee software sustainment, modernization, defect resolution, technical debt reduction, and capability enhancements.
• Support PI planning, engineering reviews, technical interchange meetings, and customer technical discussions.

People Leadership Responsibilities:

• Provide direct leadership and supervision of assigned technical leads and engineering personnel.
• Establish expectations, priorities, and accountability across the software organization.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching, mentoring, and technical development.
• Assess workforce needs and support hiring, staffing, succession planning, and skills development.
• Align personnel and resources to program priorities in coordination with program and delivery leadership.
• Develop subordinate technical leaders and promote collaboration, engineering discipline, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Significant experience in software architecture, software engineering, systems integration, application engineering, or development of complex enterprise or mission systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing technical teams.
• Strong understanding of modern software architecture, distributed systems, APIs, data integration, and application integration.
• Experience with Agile software engineering and DevSecOps environments.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated build and deployment processes, and software release practices.
• Working knowledge of containerized applications and orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Understanding of secure software development, application hardening, authentication, authorization, and identity integration.
• Ability to evaluate complex technical problems, identify tradeoffs and dependencies, and develop practical engineering solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with engineers, program leadership, customers, and other stakeholders.
• Active DoD Secret Security Clearance, and the ability to Obtain TS/SCI.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supporting Department of Defense, defensive cyber operations, mission systems, or other highly regulated environments.
• Experience with C2 applications, SIEM/SOAR platforms, cyber mission applications, or data analytics capabilities.
• Experience integrating COTS, GOTS, FOSS, and custom-developed software.
• Experience with hybrid-cloud and cloud-native architectures.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code, Configuration as Code, automated provisioning, or software supply-chain security.
• Understanding of DoD RMF, Zero Trust, STIG/SRG requirements, and cybersecurity authorization processes.
• Experience supporting System Integration Lab, Developmental Test, Operational Test, or User Acceptance Test environments.

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:

November 10, 2026

Pay Range:

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.