Software Engineer (Python & Java) – Flexible, Mission Critical in Farnborough

Programme Name: Maritime Internal Research & Development

Location: Farnborough, with flexibility to work from home dependent on business demands

Salary: £47,600 - £61,000

Are you ready for your next career challenge? We are seeking a Software Engineer (Python and Java) to play a key role in advancing Maritime Internal Research and Development (IRAD) within our National Security & Defence (NS&D) Division. You will help shape next‑generation capabilities in AI, autonomy, and machine learning, taking innovative concepts from research through to solutions ready for integration with operational platforms.

Working in a fast‑paced and collaborative environment, you will contribute to problem analysis, solution design, and the delivery of high‑quality software across a diverse range of applications. Based at our Farnborough office, with flexibility for primarily remote working, you will join a high‑performing, multidisciplinary team operating across the UK. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact, working within a creative team at the forefront of internal innovation and strategic business growth.

We are looking for engineers with a strong foundation in software development and a passion for delivering robust, assured solutions. Due to the nature of the work, candidates must hold, or be eligible to obtain, UK SC clearance and be a sole UK national. The role offers exposure across multiple IRAD workstreams and the full software development lifecycle, providing the opportunity to grow your skills while contributing to mission‑critical outcomes.

The role is a full-time, permanent position that will make an impact from Day 1.

Key Activities:

• Develop Software Requirements and Software solutions/recommendations
• Contribute to architecture and design baselines
• Fast-paced experimentation and solution development to meet mission focused use cases
• Software development of solutions to quality/safety/security software standards
• Integration of bespoke and COTS software products
• Configuration of software products and toolchains
• Software modelling and simulation
• Ability to demo capabilities and rapidly iterate based on feedback
• Change and release management
• Curious and inquisitive issue investigation and a flexible and adaptable approach to resolution
• Technical risk and opportunity management
• Liaison with UK-wide and global colleagues, suppliers and end user representatives
• Close working with other disciplines (i.e. Systems Engineering and Test Teams)

Skills Required:

• Proficiency in Python and Java; experience with C++ and JavaScript is desirable
• Experience working in Agile development environments
• Familiarity with Secure DevOps and CI/CD pipelines, including tools such as Jira, Bitbucket, JFrog, Ansible, Grafana, Splunk, Confluence, and Kubernetes
• Experience designing and implementing service‑oriented and microservices architectures
• Containerisation experience, preferably using Docker
• Use of automated testing frameworks and tools
• Experience developing solutions on AWS
• Delivery of software in line with quality, safety, and security standards, including Secure by Design principles
• Understanding of integrating sensor inputs, effects of latency, decision and behaviour trees, failure modes, autonomy algorithms, performance tuning and assessing AI accuracy
• Experience with LLMs, AI agents, and generative AI techniques
• Exposure to AI‑assisted and agentic software engineering tools, frameworks, and patterns (e.g. MCP, Claude Code)
• Integration and configuration of COTS products

Clearance Requirements:

Current UK SC Clearance, or the ability to gain UK SC Clearance. Sole UK National.

What we do for you:

At Leidos we are PASSIONATE about customer success, UNITED as a team and INSPIRED to make a difference. We offer meaningful and engaging careers, a collaborative culture, and support for your career goals, all while nurturing a healthy work-life balance.

We provide an employment package that attracts, develops and retains only the best in talent. Our reward scheme includes:

• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• 33 days Annual Leave (including public and privilege holidays)
• Access to Flexible benefits (including life assurance, health schemes, gym memberships, annual buy and sell holidays and a cycle to work scheme)
• Flexi-Time Working

Commitment to Diversity:

We welcome applications from every part of the community and are committed to a truly diverse and inclusive culture. We foster a sense of belonging, welcoming all perspectives and contributions, and providing equal access to opportunities and resources for everyone. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages please let us know, and we will respond in a way that best fits your needs.

Who We Are:

Leidos UK & EUROPE – we work to make the world safer, healthier, and more efficient through technology, engineering and science. Leidos is a growing company delivering innovative technology and solutions focused on safeguarding critical capabilities and transformation in frontline services, our work in the United Kingdom includes addressing some of the most complex problems in defence, healthcare, government, safety and security, and transportation.

What Makes Us Different:

Purpose: you can use your passion and abilities at Leidos to keep the people you care about safe. We are at the forefront of machine learning, AI, cyber security and solutions. Using your skills in the technology frontline by helping to build a safer world. You can inspire change.

Collaboration: having flexibility to do your job is one of our core benefits, enabling you to become part of our extraordinary team. We have been empowering our people to work flexibly for years. Whether you work from home, the office or on customer sites, we will give you the digital tools and the flexibility to work smarter and align your needs and ours.

People: Leidos empowers people from every background to be themselves and gives you the tools to learn new skills by enabling growth whilst developing. We believe that extraordinary people need opportunities to grow, to be inspired and to inspire others. At Leidos, we invest in technical academies, career rotations and a career development plans that enhance your future.