Principal Software Developer
GDIT· Defense IT· Sep 29, 2026 · 28d ago
Any Location / Remote
Remote
Full-time
Principal
$187K–$253K
10+ years exp
Job description
Type of Requisition:
Regular
Clearance Level Must Currently Possess:
Other
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain:
None
Public Trust/Other Required:
Other
Job Family:
Software Engineering
Job Qualifications:
Skills:
Design, Problem Solving, Solutions Development Certifications:
None Experience:
10 + years of related experience US Citizenship Required:
No
Job Description:
Principal Software Developer
We value:
- Writing code rather than documents
- Shipping products rather than talking about roadmaps
- Big features rather than changing button colors
If this sounds like you, let s talk.
WHO YOU ARE:
We re looking for engineers of accomplishment who are passionate about our mission and have a strong desire to make a meaningful impact. You should be able to demonstrate the tangible value you ve delivered in previous roles.
The ideal candidate will be proficient in Python/Java or similar language, an expert in the majority of language constructs, and able to apply them fluently to solve complicated and complex problems
You thrive in environments that demand continuous learning and adaptation, embracing new technologies and approaches as the software engineering landscape evolves. You re not afraid to venture into uncharted territory and actively leverage AI tools to amplify your engineering capabilities and deliver greater impact.
WHAT YOU LL DO:
Work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where ideas are discussed and challenged openly
Deliver new features and improve reliability of our core services including the major read/write paths for customer intake, application screening, and information dissemination
Identify major system bottlenecks or flaws in business logic, and proactively address them
Take ownership over core product problems, develop solutions you re proud of, and prove through data that they deliver impact at scale
Work across the stack to solve problems -- there is no reliance on another engineer or team to get something done for you
Lead a team of Developers to engineer and develop software to solve complex user problems
Communicate technical decisions and trade-offs effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
WHAT WE RE LOOKING FOR:
Evidence of Engineering Accomplishment:
Demonstrated track record of delivering high-impact software solutions in professional settings
Proven ability to design and implement distributed systems (multi-tier architectures) including storage layers, caching layers, application layers, with understanding of failure modes
Verifiable experience with microservice architectures, especially in high-throughput and low-latency systems
Portfolio of work showing expertise with system transformations (e.g., applying strangler patterns to evolve monoliths to microservices)
Experience with complex systems migrations involving multiple phases (dark reads, dark writes, light reads, light writes)
Technical Excellence:
Expert-level proficiency in at least one modern programming language (Java, Python, or similar)
Expert-level proficiency in cloud engineering paradigms, especially high-scale asynchronous systems and secure service integration patterns
Deep understanding of design patterns, reliability, and scaling principles
Strong architectural and system design capabilities
Leadership & Communication:
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences
Experience mentoring engineers, leading technical teams, or serving as a tech lead
Ability to influence technical direction and advocate for sound engineering practices
Adaptability & Growth:
Track record of learning and adapting to new technologies, frameworks, and methodologies
Demonstrated embrace of AI and automation tools to enhance productivity and engineering outcomes
Comfort with ambiguity and willingness to venture into new problem domains
Note: We value demonstrated accomplishment and impact over years of experience. If you can show us the value you ve created, the problems you ve solved, and your ability to grow with the evolving demands of modern software engineering, we want to hear from you.
GDIT IS YOUR PLACE
At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do. ● Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities ● Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals ● Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off ● Flexibility: Full-flex work week to own your priorities at work and at home ● Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace
OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY Explore a career in software development at GDIT and you’ll find endless opportunities to grow alongside colleagues who share your dedication to advancing innovation.
The likely salary range for this position is $187,000 - $253,000. This is not, however, a guarantee of compensation or salary. Rather, salary will be set based on experience, geographic location and possibly contractual requirements and could fall outside of this range.
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Travel Required:
Less than 10%
T elecommuting Options:
Remote
Work Location:
Any Location / Remote
Additional Work Locations:
Total Rewards at GDIT:
Our benefits package for all US-based employees includes a variety of medical plan options, some with Health Savings Accounts, dental plan options, a vision plan, and a 401(k) plan offering the ability to contribute both pre and post-tax dollars up to the IRS annual limits and receive a company match. To encourage work/life balance, GDIT offers employees full flex work weeks where possible and a variety of paid time off plans, including vacation, sick and personal time, holidays, paid parental, military, bereavement and jury duty leave. GDIT typically provides new employees with 15 days of paid leave per calendar year to be used for vacations, personal business, and illness and an additional 10 paid holidays per year. Paid leave and paid holidays are prorated based on the employee’s date of hire. The GDIT Paid Family Leave program provides a total of up to 160 hours of paid leave in a rolling 12 month period for eligible employees. To ensure our employees are able to protect their income, other offerings such as short and long-term disability benefits, life, accidental death and dismemberment, personal accident, critical illness and business travel and accident insurance are provided or available. We regularly review our Total Rewards package to ensure our offerings are competitive and reflect what our employees have told us they value most.
Our Identity Verification Process:
As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during virtual interviews. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. By proceeding, you authorize the collection, processing, and use of your biometric data for identity verification and security purposes.
About Our Work:
We are GDIT. A global technology and professional services company that delivers technology solutions and mission services to every major agency across the U.S. government, defense and intelligence community. Our 26,000 experts extract the power of technology to create immediate value and deliver solutions at the edge of innovation. We operate across 50+ countries worldwide, offering leading mission-ready capabilities in AI, cloud, cyber and software development.
Join our Talent Community to stay up to date on our career opportunities and events at gdit.com/tc .
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans
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Keywords to mirror
pythonjavaai
- Platform
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision
401k
401(K)
Paid Time Off
Wellness