Software Architect

Software ArchitectLeidos' Defense Open Sensors Division is seeking a Software Architect to join a diverse team to create unique solutions for complex sensor and radar orientated problems. This position affords new or experienced engineers continued opportunities to learn and grow in technical knowledge of sensor and radar systems. The department encourages and frequently incorporates new ideas from all employees into our many sensor projects which span the entire DoD ecosystem. Opportunities for advancement into senior technical roles, as well as project or personnel management are also available.Leidos Defense Sensor 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.Primary ResponsibilitiesIntegration and field testing of RF sensors and systemsCONUS deployment of advanced sensor systemsDefine and maintain the overall architecture, technical roadmap, and design standards for software products and systems.Analyze customer system and operational requirements to develop effective software architectures and technical solutions.Develop and document system architectures, software designs, interface definitions, data flows, deployment architectures, and technology selections.Establish architectural principles, coding standards, design patterns, and best practices that promote reliability, security, scalability, maintainability, and performance.Lead technical design reviews and provide guidance on complex design, integration, and implementation decisions.Work with development teams to decompose system-level requirements into implementable software features, components, interfaces, and tasks.Evaluate technology options, third-party products, frameworks, and tools; recommend solutions based on program needs, risk, cost, schedule, and maintainability.Support the definition and management of software interfaces, APIs, data models, and integration approaches across subsystems.Identify technical risks, architectural constraints, dependencies, and opportunities early; develop mitigation strategies and communicate them to program leadership.Ensure that cybersecurity, resiliency, safety, performance, and testability considerations are built into architectural decisions.Collaborate with other program teams to support deployment, monitoring, sustainment, and continuous improvement.Review code and technical artifacts as needed to ensure alignment with the established architecture and engineering standards.Mentor software engineers and technical leads, helping build architectural knowledge and technical depth across the organization.Communicate technical approaches, tradeoffs, risks, and status clearly to engineering leadership, program management, customers, and other stakeholders.Basic QualificationsMS degree from an ABET-accredited college or university in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related technical field and 10-13 years of relevant experience -OR- BS degree with 12-15 years of relevant experienceCandidate must be a resident of the North Alabama area or willing to relocate to the Huntsville – North Alabama, AL, area. This is NOT a remote or work-from-home position.Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET clearance.Good organizational skills, attention to detail, and a strong technical background.Preferred QualificationsMS degree from an ABET-accredited college or university in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related technical field.Experience in the development and operation of radar systems, including HWILsExperience working on any radar or communications related program or projectAbility to create design documentation, requirements specifications, and other technical documentationExperience leading a technical team of at least 8-15 engineers and being responsible for executing a significant software effort within a project.Experience utilizing AI tools to augment technical output (i.e. to improve/automate documentation or code generation)Experience with cybersecurity engineering principles, secure software-development practices, and threat modeling.Experience designing real-time, embedded, high-performance, safety-critical, mission-critical, or distributed systemsExperience in a regulated, defense, aerospace, intelligence, or other high-assurance domain.