Lead Software Developer

About the role

Join a team that is modernizing the future of air traffic management while supporting one of the nation’s most critical missions. In this role, you’ll contribute to the development and deployment of the FAA’s Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) system, helping deliver NextGen capabilities that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the National Airspace System. Beyond software development, you’ll have the unique opportunity to work directly with FAA customers at airport locations across the country, supporting system deployments and seeing firsthand how your work enables mission success.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and deployment of the FAA’s Terminal Flight Data Manager (TFDM) system, helping deliver NextGen capabilities that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the National Airspace System.
• Collaborate with FAA customers at airport locations across the country, supporting system deployments and gaining firsthand insight into the technology that supports the nation's air traffic system.
• Ensure the seamless integration and functionality of next-generation air traffic management systems.
• Play a crucial role in ensuring the modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS).
• Support the deployment of the TFDM system to 89 airports nationwide, providing a comprehensive integrated surface traffic control and management system that enhances efficiency for both airport surface operations and terminal airspace.

Requirements

• Core Technologies: Ansible - Deep experience with playbooks, roles, custom plugins, callbacks, and inventory systems
• Python - Strong scripting, automation, and tool development
• Bash/Shell scripting - Complex build orchestration and system automation
• Linux system administration – Red Hat Enterprise Linux, package management, integration of Linux technologies, etc.
• Container technology - Podman/Docker, container builds, orchestration
• Infrastructure & DevOps Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices
• Configuration management at scale
• CICD and build automation
• Release management and versioning
• Git workflows and collaboration
• Systems Knowledge: Network configuration (VLANs, IP schemes, switch configs)
• Physical hardware provisioning (PXE boot, kickstart)
• Virtual machine lifecycle management (VMware and KVM)
• Multi-environment deployment (dev/test/prod/lab)
• Package ecosystem management (RPM, pip, Ansible Galaxy)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field
• 4+ years of proven experience in Software Engineering

Skills

• Ansible best practices
• YAML templating and variable hierarchies
• Ansible vault and secrets management
• Multi-site infrastructure coordination
• Custom Ansible plugin development
• AI assisted development

Domain Experience

• Enterprise infrastructure management
• Mission-critical system deployment
• Multi-processor-type system architectures
• Air-gapped or classified environments

System Thinking Qualities & Soft Skills

• Understand complex interdependencies (200+ Ansible roles, multiple processor types)
• Trace issues across numerous environment configurations
• See how changes ripple through the architecture
• Systematic & Methodical: Follow documented workflows (TCM verification, CAS validation)
• Test thoroughly before deployment
• Problem-Solving Approach: Debug across multiple abstraction layers
• Work within constraints of existing architecture
• Collaboration: Work with established patterns rather than reinventing
• Coordinate across multiple sites and environments

Benefits

Pay Range: $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

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.

Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.