Demo

Lead Software Engineer

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Colorado, CO Full Time
POSTED ON 6/5/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/12/2026
Job Description

Readiness Delivered. At Kratos, we encourage an entrepreneurial spirit balanced with discipline. We work hard, and take care of our customers, employees, and families. Recognized as thought leaders in our industry, we are motivated by creating and delivering innovative solutions to our nation and global customers. Kratos has an exciting opportunity in Colorado Springs, CO for a Lead Software Engineer who will:

  • Articulate technical concepts orally and in written forms to the customer, users, and the development team
  • Lead the development and maturity of the project’s software architecture
  • Drive and support verification and troubleshooting of the technical solutions provided by the development staff
  • Lead and support the development and maturation of the CI/CD pipeline to align with the customer-defined methodology, environment, and Kratos processes
  • Guide and support the agile development lifecycle from a customer perspective, including backlog refinement, system demos, retrospectives, and coordinating customer feedback during Program Increments
  • Define and drive a solution software architecture to meet the project and customer requirements, coordinating cloud design and system design with the appropriate Kratos and customer personnel
  • Lead the software solution design and the Software Engineers on the project to execute that design
  • Work with cyber security teams to architecture secure solutions that support an existing Authority to Operate (ATO) for US Gov projects.
  • Effectively utilize Cross Domain Solutions (CDS) for data transfer across multiple environments
  • Travel as necessary to support system integration, testing, and customer meetings (expected to be ~ 10% average annually)

Experience And Skills

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or related technical fields with a specific focus on software solution design and implementation in various cloud/on-premises environments.
  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant job experience is needed. Willing to consider a combination of education and job experience.
  • Docker/Container & Kubernetes design and implementation knowledge and experience on premise and cloud
  • Have proficiency in modern architectural patterns like microservices, event-driven architecture, and hybrid cloud solutions to design scalable and resilient systems
  • Understanding of and experience with Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles.
  • Understanding of and experience with DevSecOps workflows. Understanding CI/CD pipelines and tools, (e.g., SonarQube, Fortify, Splunk, etc.)
  • Experience providing estimates for accomplishing relevant development, implementation, migration, and testing tasks
  • Ability to design software solutions to complex engineering problems using MBSE
  • Familiarly with Systems Thinking and architecture frameworks for example DoDAF, TOGAF, …
  • Familiarity with software development tools (e.g. Git, Atlassian suite, Artifactory, …)
  • Experience with CSPs (Cloud Service Provider) platforms, with specific experience in AWS
  • Experience using Windows, Unix and other Operating Systems
  • Required to be a strong team player and leader to the project team and to the organization
  • In depth understanding of network protocols, such as TCP/IP, BGP, DNS, DHCP, SNMP, HTTP, …
  • Experience with VMWare, VPN, VPC, Firewalls, & CPN
  • Ability to lead teams in software development, and mentor/coach newer software engineers
  • Experienced in database design
  • Be proficient in programming languages such as Java, C , Python, C#, and JavaScript, for coding, automation, and system integration
  • Experience with Network, Multi-threaded, client-server programming
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to design innovative solutions and anticipate potential issues in complex, distributed systems.
  • Understanding the unique constraints and requirements of satellite systems, such as data latency, data downlink/uplink processes, and specific industry regulations
  • Must have and maintain a US Gov SECRET with ability to obtain TOP SECRET / SCI clearance.

Preferred Skills And Experience

  • RMF/Cyber Experience
  • Experience with Terraform & Ansible design and implementation and other IaC (Infrastructure as Code) implementations, experience in implementing a platform agnostic solution
  • Hands-on experience deploying or integrating with Keycloak (or similar) for single sign on in a K8S environment
  • Hands-on experience deploying software workloads on Docker and K8S via docker-compose, Helm or similar technology.
  • Ability to read/write script level or integration code using Python, C# or other development language.
  • Ability to design efficient data pipelines, manage databases (SQL and NoSQL)
  • SATCOM & Command & Control (C2) experience
  • Experience with Command & Control, and Telemetry, Tracking, and Command
  • ZTA development and implementation experience
  • Experience and knowledge of the SATCOM operational environment
  • Ground Requirements Management Systems and operations
  • Experience with model-based systems engineering and tools (specifically Cameo Systems Modeler)

The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Competitive salary based on experience and education

Salary Range: $145,000-$160,000

Kratos is valued for our ability to design and deliver leading edge, resilient solutions for aerospace communication, control, awareness and mission success across a continuum of offerings—from commercial to tailored custom solutions and integrated programs. Customers trust us to stay relevant and know we are in it for the long-haul. We bring both the capability and confidence that our customers value and depend on. And we always deliver.

This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Job Benefits

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
  • Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Savings Plan
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • Paid Time-Off (PTO)
  • Holidays
  • Education Reimbursement


Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

EEO Is The Law

Disability Accessibility Accommodation
If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to HRAccessibility@kratosdefense.com or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.

Pay Transparency
The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Job Applicant Privacy Notice
For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.

Salary : $145,000 - $160,000

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