Principal Software Engineer / Tech Lead

The Principal Software Engineer and Technical Lead role supports the Compartmented Enterprise Services Office (CESO) in Arlington, VA, focusing on building and migrating secure web services on a highly automated, high security cloud platform.

Location

Arlington, Virginia, onsite

Salary

USD 131,300 to 237,350 per year

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance
• Bachelor's degree and 12+ years of experience; additional years may be considered in lieu of a degree
• Proven ability to lead multiple teams and deliver complex software systems
• Strong leadership, organizational, and documentation skills
• Solid background in automated testing, CI/CD, and modern software delivery practices
• Experience with languages and environments including JavaScript, GitLab, Jenkins, Ansible Automation, Python, Java, PSSQL, YAML, and Terraform
• Hands-on full SDLC Agile software development experience, including production deployment
• Experience designing, building, and deploying DevOps pipelines with Bitbucket, Git, Jenkins, Artifactory and Ansible (or equivalents)
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities
• Experience working in a high op tempo, top secret environment
• Experience tracking projects in Jira or equivalent Agile project management software
• Experience with technologies such as GitHub, Gradle, PowerShell, Java Full Stack, Oracle 19c, and Webservices

Responsibilities

• Participate in Agile teams and help translate mission outcomes and prioritized backlog items into delivery plans and sprint goals
• Lead development and integration of secure APIs and data pipelines (structured and unstructured)
• Apply a technology stack including JavaScript, GitLab, Jenkins, Ansible Automation, Python, Java, PSSQL, YAML, and Terraform
• Develop automated CI/CD build and deployment pipelines using Jenkins, Ansible, and Bitbucket
• Implement DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, observability, and security controls
• Manage software release version control and provide release management support across the life cycle, ensuring consistent and reliable builds
• Define and drive long-term technical strategy and architectural direction across teams
• Oversee the design and delivery of scalable, secure, and maintainable software solutions
• Serve as a senior technical authority and escalation point for cross-team and cross-domain issues
• Champion engineering excellence, including automated testing, CI/CD, reliability, and security
• Establish standards, best practices, and governance for software development
• Guide the responsible adoption of generative AI tools across engineering teams
• Lead, manage, and develop senior engineers and technical teams
• Own performance management, career development, succession planning, and talent growth
• Build and sustain a high-performing, inclusive engineering culture
• Coach leaders on effective team management, delivery, and technical decision-making
• Own delivery outcomes across multiple Agile teams, ensuring predictability and quality
• Collaborate with product and business stakeholders to align roadmaps, priorities, and execution
• Ensure effective Agile practices, metrics, and continuous improvement using Jira
• Balance near-term delivery with long-term platform and technical investments
• Incorporate customer feedback, operational insights, and data to drive product improvements
• Act as a key engineering representative in cross-functional and leadership discussions
• Communicate technical vision, risks, and progress to senior leadership
• Influence product strategy through deep understanding of users and technical constraints
• Drive alignment across engineering, product, design, and operations

Technologies

• JavaScript
• GitLab
• Jenkins
• Ansible Automation
• Python
• Java
• PSSQL
• YAML
• Terraform
• Bitbucket
• Git
• Artifactory
• AWS
• GitHub
• Gradle
• PowerShell
• Java Full Stack
• Oracle 19c
• Webservices
• Jira

Benefits

• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave
• Retirement