Software Engineer – MQ‑9 Ground Control Station Modernization

Location: Cannon AFB, New Mexico

Company: Leidos – Defense Sector

Leidos is seeking a mission‑driven Software Engineer to join our team at Cannon Air Force Base, supporting one of the most dynamic and operationally critical missions in the Air Force: modernizing MQ‑9 Ground Control Station (GCS) capabilities.

This is a rare opportunity to work side‑by‑side with flight crews, operators, and technical experts across the MQ‑9 enterprise—designing and delivering software solutions that directly enhance mission execution, system reliability, and operator effectiveness. If you thrive in collaborative, hands‑on environments and want your engineering work to have immediate operational impact, this role puts you at the center of it.

Why This Role Matters

You’ll support GCS modification events, contribute to auxiliary system integration, and help shape the next generation of MQ‑9 capabilities. Your work will influence how aircrews interact with mission systems, how data is processed and forecasted, and how the broader MQ‑9 community evolves its technical ecosystem.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and execute the full software engineering lifecycle, including:
  • Design, development, testing, troubleshooting, and debugging of software components and tools.
  • Enhancements and new development for complex, mission‑critical software systems.
• Conduct software requirements analysis and evaluate hardware/software compatibility.
• Develop software products, tools, and infrastructure supporting GCS modernization.
• Collaborate directly with MQ‑9 flight crews, operators, and SMEs to design solutions that solve real‑world integration challenges.
• Apply engineering standards, processes, and best practices across all development activities.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field with 4–8 years of relevant experience — OR — Master’s degree with 2–6 years of relevant experience.
• Experience developing AI/ML‑related applications.
• Experience with time‑based forecasting applications (desired).
• Active Secret clearance and the ability to obtain a Top Secret SCI clearance.
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles, lifecycle processes, and modern development practices.

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:

March 3, 2026

Pay Range:

Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

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.