Software Engineer

Leidos Defense is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to develop and support the virtualization of the AN/SQQ-89(V) Anti-Submarine (ASW) Training System by transitioning Tactical Insertion (TI) hardware-based solutions into a scalable, virtualized Linux platform for training. This role will design, implement, and sustain a high-performance virtualization environment utilizing Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), KVM, Open vSwitch (OVS), and hardware passthrough technologies to support complex Navy training and simulation workloads.

The ideal candidate should possess strong Linux systems engineering experience, expertise in virtualization and software automation, a deep understanding of low-level networking integration within mission-critical environments, and the ability to work within a complex Department of Defense (DoD) training and mission systems environment.

IMPACT: Works independently to achieve day-to-day objectives with significant impact on operational results. Responsible for SQQ 89 virtualization projects and complex ASW VOT maintenance/troubleshooting/repairs.

COMPLEXITY: Develops technical solutions that require collaboration with other internal experts, deep analyses and understanding of impact on customer training delivery. Develops solutions to technical problems and issues that may be unclear and require a deep-level of technical knowledge.

COMMUNICATION: Communicates with other project team members. Works to influence team members regarding solution design and processes.

KNOWLEDGE: Requires deep level understanding of principles and concepts of coding utilizing Red Hat Linux Enterprise (RHEL).

TYPICAL EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Typically requires BS degree with 4-8 years of prior relevant experience, or Master’s Degree with 2-6 years prior relevant experience.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, deploy, and maintain virtualized training system environments supporting AN/SQQ-89(V)15 training capabilities.

• Migrate software and services from Tactical Insertion hardware platforms to virtualized infrastructures utilizing KVM, libvirt, virsh, and VirtIO technologies.

• Develop and maintain automated deployment and configuration management solutions using Ansible.

• Create and maintain Python-based utilities and scripts to support system administration, testing, monitoring, and data management activities.

• Build and maintain RHEL 7/8 system images, templates, and repositories.

• Troubleshoot virtualization, networking, storage, and operating system issues in lab and production environments.

• Support software integration, system verification, validation, and acceptance testing activities.

• Integrate physical and virtual network infrastructure supporting tactical training environments.

• Configure and maintain Open vSwitch environments supporting multi-network and high-throughput virtual machine communications.

• Support performance tuning and optimization of virtualized systems, networking, storage, and compute resources.

• Collaborate with software developers, system engineers, cybersecurity personnel, and training system stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and sustainment.

• Develop and maintain technical documentation including architecture diagrams, deployment guides, standard operating procedures, and automation documentation.

• Support cybersecurity compliance efforts, including STIG implementation, vulnerability remediation, and RMF activities.

• Participate in system modernization initiatives focused on increasing portability, scalability, and maintainability of training environments.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or related technical field.

• 7+ years of experience in Linux systems engineering, virtualization, software development, or platform engineering.

• Experience administrating Red Hat Enterprise Linux environments.

• Strong experience with KVM virtualization technologies, libvirt, and virsh.

• Experience implementing and troubleshooting Open vSwitch (OVS) deployments.

• Experience with hardware passthrough technologies including PCIe passthrough, VFIO, SR-IOV, and IOMMU configuration.

• Experience developing infrastructure automation using Ansible.

• Experience developing software and automation tools using Python

• Strong understanding of Linux network concepts including VLANs, bridges, routing, bonding, and virtual switching.

• Experience troubleshooting complex integration issues across hardware, operating systems, networking, and applications.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting the AN/SQQ-89(V)15 or AEGIS combat systems suite.

• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)

• Experience with high-performance networking and low-latency virtualized environments.

• Experience supporting GPU, FPGA, capture card, or specialized hardware passthrough to virtualized machines.

• Familiarity with distributed storage, NFS, iSCSI, and SAN technologies.

• Experience with FreeIPA, LDAP, Kerberos, and enterprise Linux identity management.

• Experience supporting RMF, STIG implementation, ACAS, and cybersecurity compliance initiatives.

• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance

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:

Pay Range:

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.