Demo

Lead Software Engineer

Kratos Space Training & Cyber
Boulder, CO Full Time
POSTED ON 5/22/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/22/2026

Readiness Delivered. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. iWe proactively build trusted relationships with our peers, partners and customers, and take ownership for our actionsialways striving to do the right thing.iKratos is seeking a Lead Software Engineer (Level 4), in Boulder, CO, to lead and innovate within our dynamic, agile environment. This role architects and champions a SecDevOps approach across the entire software development lifecycle, driving the strategic design, development, testing, and operational scaling based on user feedback. The ideal candidate will operate with high autonomy, guiding collaborative teams to design, implement, and maintain complex software solutions while establishing modern industry standards and communicating technical vision clearly to stakeholders. Key responsibilities include architecting system integrations to develop and deploy enterprise applications, as well as orchestrating containerization strategies using Kubernetes to manage and scale critical services. Additionally, the role involves engineering testing infrastructure and automation by designing and maintaining robust automated test scripts within optimized CI/CD pipelines, and delivering advanced operational support through technical requirements verification, system documentation, and complex troubleshooting in simulated environments.


Keyword: Linux Windows Agile Software Development Configuration Management SecDevOps CI/CD Virtual machines VMWare Containers Docker Kubernetes Java C C Scripting Database SQL
Required Experience:
  • BA/BS Degree iniComputer Science, Software Engineering or related field of study
  • 10 - 15 years of industry experience
  • The successful candidate must have extensive, expert-level software engineering experience in industry to be proficient in the following:
    • Leading the design, development, and optimization of Java and C/C applications (including advanced network, multi-threaded, and high-performance client-server architectures) across Windows and Linux platforms
    • Designing, implementing, and maintaining enterprise-grade automation using Python, Unix Shell scripting, Batch files, and Windows script files
    • Architectural mastery of relational database design, advanced query optimization, and complex Structured Query Language (SQL) data manipulation
    • Architecting and driving innovative solutions to complex, ambiguous engineering problems while mentoring junior and mid-level engineers

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Platform Expertise: Subject matter expertise in architecting and scaling Red Hat OpenShift and enterprise Kubernetes infrastructures.
  • Domain Leadership: Deep domain knowledge of FORGE MDPAF or satellite ground station processing systems (including advanced planning, ground control, and high-throughput data processing).
  • Enterprise DevSecOps Tools: Advanced proficiency driving automation via Python, optimizing CI/CD workflows within GitLab/Azure DevOps, and managing lifecycles using Jira/Confluence.
  • Comprehensive Testing Architecture: Proven track record designing and leading automated functional, integration, regression, and high-load performance testing strategies.
  • Security & Compliance: Possession of an active Top Secret/SCI or Secret security clearance.
  • Industry Certifications: Advanced professional certifications such as Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA), Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), or Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD).
  • Modern Infrastructure: Extensive experience implementing advanced Infrastructure as Code (IaC) architectures (e.g., Terraform) and mature GitOps workflows.

#LI-Onsite

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: $150,000-$170,000

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 offeringsifrom 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. i


From: Kratos Defense
Kratos is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled.


All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos 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.

 

Salary : $150,000 - $170,000

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Lead Software Engineer?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Lead Software Engineer career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$123,167 - $152,295
Income Estimation: 
$146,673 - $180,130
Income Estimation: 
$158,960 - $205,707
Income Estimation: 
$154,509 - $200,187
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Kratos Space Training & Cyber

  • Kratos Space Training & Cyber Colorado, CO
  • Readiness Delivered. iKratos Defense & Security Solutions develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United Stat... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Kratos Space Training & Cyber Boulder, CO
  • Readiness Delivered. Kratos engineers and deploys technology and systems that move national security forward, with the cost, speed, and reliability that ma... more
  • 2 Days Ago

  • Kratos Space Training & Cyber Herndon, VA
  • Readiness Delivered. iKratos develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Securityirelated ... more
  • 2 Days Ago

  • Kratos Space Training & Cyber Colorado, CO
  • Readiness Delivered. At Kratos, we encourage an entrepreneurial spirit balanced with discipline. We work hard, and take care of our customers, employees, a... more
  • 7 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Lead Software Engineer jobs in the Boulder, CO area that may be a better fit.

  • Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Boulder, CO
  • Job Description Readiness Delivered. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems ... more
  • 1 Day Ago

  • Medtronic Lafayette, CO
  • We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 28 Mar 2026 At Medtronic you can begin a life-long career of exploration and innovati... more
  • 6 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!