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Leidos

Builds technology for defense and civil agencies

Principal Solutions Architect

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/24/2026
$131.3k - $237.3k
Senior, Expert
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
Fort Belvoir, VA, USA
In Person
IT Operations
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Engineering Management, Management Information Systems, or a related STEM degree program, and 8–10 years of relevant experience.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of War Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance.
  • Experience designing solutions for secure, scalable, and robust on-premise and cloud-based virtualized infrastructures.
  • Experience planning and executing the migration of applications and services.
  • Experience developing and maintaining architecture artifacts and communicating designs to executive and technical stakeholders.
  • Experience evaluating and recommending new technologies, tools, and frameworks to improve performance, scalability, security, and costs.
  • Experience operating in a DevSecOps environment of comparable size and complexity.
  • Possess an active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance.
  • Successfully verify 8140 (previously 8570), IAT Level II (Security+ or equivalent) before the start date and maintain the certification for the duration of the assignment.
Responsibilities
  • Support the I3TS Principal Solutions Architect in identifying service gaps and areas for improvement and driving continual innovation to evolve DTRA’s IT infrastructure to meet current and future requirements.
  • Identify and explore opportunities to improve I3TS, then lead analysis of alternatives and proof-of-concept development that leads to dedicated projects implementing targeted and approved improvements.
  • Improve site surveys and migrations so they are standardized, repeatable, automated, flexible, and efficient.
  • Improve automation to minimize staffing requirements, reduce the risk of human error, and allow staff to focus on more complex activities.
  • Establish open design principles for compatible solutions with no vendor lock-in and minimal custom configuration.
  • Incorporate emerging technologies that enhance cybersecurity, reduce total cost, and improve the end-user experience.
  • Work closely with project teams to ensure execution of approved improvements remains aligned with their vision and intent.
  • Collaborate with Leidos and Government stakeholders to identify potential areas for improvement.
  • Conduct an initial feasibility assessment of candidate initiatives, followed by a more detailed analysis of alternatives.
  • Document and present analysis results to Leidos and Government stakeholders through engineering review boards.
  • Oversee proofs of concept, scoped at three months or less, to provide demonstrable and measurable insights into candidate improvements.
  • Draft a detailed project plan outlining the technical approach, cost, schedule, and risks for implementing the improvement.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience designing, deploying, and maintaining IT infrastructures for DTRA or other Department of War organizations.

About the company

Leidos develops technology and runs services for defense, intelligence and civilian agencies, as well as healthcare and commercial customers. It combines software and engineering work with systems integration, building secure networks and equipment used in demanding operations. Its portfolio includes medical services, energy infrastructure design and technology that supports military missions, linking specialist businesses under one parent. Customers pay through contracts for delivered systems and services, with payment tied to labor, costs or agreed project milestones. Leidos traces its roots to a company founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Reston, Virginia.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Reston, Virginia

Founded

1969

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Recognized sales are growing: Leidos reported fiscal Q2 revenue of $4.56 billion, up 7%, in August 2026.
  • Technical study gets support: Leidos lists 4,092 certification prep courses and tuition assistance for full time employees.
  • Future work includes funded contracts: Leidos reported $10.2 billion of funded backlog in August 2026.

What critics are saying

  • Federal budgets dominate demand: Leidos' February 2026 filing attributed 87% of fiscal 2025 revenue to U.S. government work.
  • Cleared cyber roles restrict access: Leidos' live Fort Meade analyst posting requires active Top Secret clearance with a polygraph.
  • Cost overruns threaten margins: firm fixed price work accounted for 43% of Leidos' fiscal 2025 revenue.

What makes Leidos unique

  • Runway capacity improves through software: Leidos and UK navigation provider NATS optimize landing spacing with Intelligent Approach.
  • Leidos reaches patients directly: its QTC medical exam business connects over 15,000 providers with more than 90 clinics.
  • Leidos builds battlefield hardware: it is the Army's prime contractor for Enduring Shield, a mobile air-defense launcher.

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Benefits

  • Medical, dental, & vision insurance
  • Health Savings account
  • Income protection
  • PTO
  • Paid parental leave
  • Jury duty pay
  • Bereavement leave
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Family Benefits

Growth & Insights and Company News

6 month growth

8%

1 year growth

8%

2 year growth

8%
PR Newswire
Oct 22nd, 2026
Leidos wins $95M Defence Logistics Agency deal to bring AI to Pentagon asset system

Leidos will use artificial intelligence (AI) automation to speed up the Pentagon's asset management system, under a new $95 million, five-year contract from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The Enterprise Logistics Management System (ELMS) is used by more than 50 agencies to manage over 80 million items of government property valued at more than $140 billion. Leidos has supported ELMS and its predecessor for more than 21 years. The company will apply AI-driven automation, cloud, and modern software development practices to speed up software delivery, streamline processes, and keep operations secure and reliable. The contract runs through August 2031, including a base year and four option years. "Logistics wins wars and accurate, reliable asset visibility is a cornerstone of military readiness," said Jason McCarthy, senior vice president at Leidos.

PR Newswire
Oct 21st, 2026
Leidos wins $160M US Cyber Command award for full-spectrum cyber operations

Leidos has won a five-year, $160 million award to support US Cyber Command in planning and conducting full-spectrum military cyber operations. The work will help the command respond to evolving threats and coordinate operations across the Department of War. The company will integrate and coordinate offensive and defensive operations, including support to secure, operate, and defend the Department of War Information Network. It will also provide cyber defense, operational planning, emerging threat analysis, and help develop tactics, techniques, and procedures. Jason O'Connor, president of Leidos Intelligence, said the team includes the recently acquired Kudu Dynamics. The award advances Leidos' NorthStar 2030 strategy, with cyber as a key growth driver.

PR Newswire
Oct 14th, 2026
Leidos wins one-year MOD logistics extension to 2029, building on $508M in benefits

Leidos has won a one-year extension to its Logistics Commodities and Services Transformation (LCST) contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). The deal continues logistics support to the UK Armed Forces through June 2029. Leidos has been prime contractor since 2015. It manages more than 70,000 commodity NATO Stock Numbers, supports distribution to more than 600 locations worldwide, and runs the £83 million Defence Fulfilment Centre at MOD Donnington. The company estimates it has delivered £400 million in benefits to the MOD. During the extension, Leidos will work on supply chain resilience, inventory visibility, and digital capability. The programme supported the MOD through the COVID-19 pandemic and urgent needs related to Ukraine.

INSURASALES
Oct 13th, 2026
Blackstone leads $1B financing for Analogic merger with three Leidos units

Blackstone Credit & Insurance (BXCI) is leading a $1 billion financing package for the merger of Analogic Corporation with three Leidos units: Security Enterprise Solutions, Ports & Borders, and Industrial Automation. The combined business will make imaging and detection technology for sectors such as aviation security and healthcare. BXCI is lead lender and joint lead arranger, alongside HPS, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. Brad Colman, BXCI's head of healthcare investing, called the deal proof of its strength in building large credit strategies with flexible solutions. Analogic is based in Salem, New Hampshire. Leidos employs 50,000 people and earned $17.2 billion in fiscal 2026. BXCI managed $443 billion in assets at the end of 2025. Roughly 75% of Blackstone's credit assets are backed by institutional and insurance clients.

GFM Limited
Oct 13th, 2026
Blackstone leads $1bn private credit financing for Leidos-Analogic security merger

Blackstone is leading a $1bn private credit financing to support the combination of the security enterprise solutions businesses of Leidos Holdings and Analogic Corporation, Bloomberg reported. Blackstone Credit & Insurance is reportedly lead lender and joint lead arranger, alongside HPS Investment Partners, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. Leidos, a listed engineering and technology services company based in Virginia, serves government and commercial clients. It generated $17.2bn in revenue in 2025. Analogic develops imaging, detection, artificial intelligence, and automation technologies. Private equity firm Altaris acquired it in a $1.1bn take-private deal in 2018. Blackstone was reportedly also among the lenders in a recent financing for Waymo, which was increased to $5bn.