Ace Your Leidos Software Engineer Interview: The Top 25 Questions You Should Prepare For

Getting hired as a software engineer at Leidos, a leading technology integrator working primarily in the defense, health, and intelligence sectors, is no easy feat. With competition running high for these coveted roles, you need to bring your A-game to the interview table.

This article goes over some of the most common interview questions for a software engineer job at Leidos in detail. It also gives you tips and examples of good answers to help you come up with your own. These questions are meant to find out how well you’d do in the fast-paced, creative environment of the company by testing your technical skills and ability to work with others.

Proper preparation using this guide can help you highlight your strengths convince the interviewers of your fit and ultimately land the job. So let’s get started!

1. Tell us about your experience with cloud computing platforms, especially regarding Leidos’ cybersecurity solutions.

With cyber threats growing exponentially, Leidos relies on software engineers who can architect secure cloud solutions Interviewers want to assess your hands-on expertise in this area

In your response, focus on specific cloud platforms you’ve worked with and projects where you implemented security controls like encryption, firewalls, or access management. Discuss any experience with tools like AWS GuardDuty or Azure Sentinel. Demonstrate an understanding of Leidos’ critical mission and how your skills can help advance their cybersecurity initiatives.

2. How would you approach troubleshooting an issue in a complex, classified defense software application?

This question checks how well you can debug systems in a planned way and how discreet you can be when working with sensitive systems. Interviewers want to see that you know how to do methodical triage, root cause analysis, and solution development that is focused on impact.

Emphasize testing rigor before deployments, documenting every step, and working cautiously in classified environments Share examples of successfully diagnosing and fixing defects in complex apps while maintaining confidentiality Demonstrate confidence in resolving issues efficiently without compromising security protocols.

3. Discuss your experience securing applications that handle sensitive patient health data.

Leidos makes a lot of software for federal health agencies, so privacy is very important. You will be tested on your knowledge of safe coding practices and following rules like HIPAA in this question.

Provide specifics like encryption schemes, access controls, and testing methods used when developing healthcare apps. Outline steps taken to prevent data leaks and integrate security from the start. Convey an understanding of threats to protected health information and your commitment to safeguarding it.

4. How could you apply your software engineering expertise to help advance Leidos’ energy efficiency initiatives?

Here interviewers want to assess how well you understand Leidos’ business and how your skills might provide value. Respond by outlining specific ways you could use your technical knowledge to bolster their smart grid, renewable energy integration, or other efficiency projects.

For example, highlight experience with simulation, modeling, data analytics, or IoT that could optimize energy consumption. Demonstrate potential to drive innovation and solve problems facing their energy clients. Show that you’ve researched their initiatives and can immediately contribute.

5. What techniques would you use to ensure high code quality for software developed for government agencies?

Software engineered for public sector clients carries greater accountability, so QA is crucial. This question evaluates your repertoire of quality assurance skills and commitment to excellence.

In your response, cover proven techniques like:

• Peer code reviews
• Unit testing / test-driven development
• Static analysis
• Continuous integration and delivery
• Adhering to secure coding standards
• Upholding thorough documentation

Emphasize that you take pride in delivering secure, reliable software that withstands the scrutiny of government work. Provide examples of your rigorous QA efforts. Demonstrate awareness of the responsibility entrusted to Leidos.

6. How would you go about optimizing an aviation data analytics application for Leidos?

For this question, interviewers want to understand your approach to enhancing software. They’re looking for details on how you’d gather requirements, diagnose performance issues, prioritize enhancements, and validate improvements.

Highlight any similar optimization projects you’ve undertaken. Provide examples like removing bottlenecks, improving algorithms, maximizing hardware utilization, implementing caching, or incorporating AI/ML. Outline how you’d work closely with end-users and iterate based on feedback. Demonstrate how enhancing software aligns with Leidos’ commitment to innovation.

7. Tell us about a time you successfully delivered a software project under tight deadlines.

The fast pace at Leidos means hitting deadlines is critical. Share an example that highlights your work ethic, focus, and ability to deliver under pressure without compromising quality.

Discuss your agile project management methodology, prioritization tactics, and team collaboration skills. Provide details like working overtime or weekends to meet deliverables. Demonstrate how you maintained composure during crunch times to rally your team. Proving you can handle the heat showcases your readiness for the company’s dynamic environment.

8. What emerging technologies could benefit Leidos’ operations in your view?

Leidos seeks forward-thinkers who actively explore new technologies. Your response should showcase both your technical knowledge and business acumen.

Respond with 1-2 emerging technologies that could enhance Leidos’ initiatives, such as AI, drones, IoT sensors, blockchain, or quantum computing. Discuss relevant applications at Leidos like improving analytics, automating workflows, or tightening security. Demonstrate how you keep your finger on the pulse of tech innovation and can assess benefits for clients.

9. Walk us through your experience using Agile methodologies to manage large, complex development projects.

Agile is integral to Leidos for managing enterprise-scale delivery while enabling continuous improvement. Use this question to prove you’re well-versed in Agile principles and practices.

Provide details on successfully implementing frameworks like Scrum or Kanban. Share how you facilitated iterative delivery, cross-functional teamwork, frequent testing, and stakeholder involvement. Emphasize benefits like improved communication, risk reduction, quality enhancement, and the ability to embrace change.

10. How would you test software designed for executing scientific research?

Safety and precision are paramount when developing research software, so thorough testing is crucial. This question gauges your knack for identifying corner cases, handling edge scenarios, and validating robustness.

Emphasize techniques like:

• Unit testing each component
• Integration testing between modules
• User acceptance testing with researchers
• Stress testing / load testing for peak conditions
• Automated regression testing to detect bugs
• Manual validation on test equipment/simulators

Demonstrate awareness of how defects in research software can severely impact experiments and compromise results. Share examples of catching issues before deployment.

11. What strategies would you employ to ensure the integrity of software used for national defense systems?

This question tests your understanding of the tremendous responsibility entrusted to Leidos software engineers. Interviewers want to hear about your uncompromising standards, security savvy, and steadfast commitment to quality when developing defense software.

Respond by emphasizing secure coding practices, extensive training to prevent insider threats, rigorous infrastructure safeguards like firewalls and encryption, and stringent access controls. Share examples of instilling a culture of security and vigilance across your teams. Convey that you prioritize the mission of protecting the nation above all else.

12. Discuss any experience you have engineering software for the transportation industry.

This industry-specific query aims to gauge your specialized expertise relevant to Leidos’ transportation technologies portfolio. Respond by highlighting specialized skills like spatial analytics, traffic modeling, sensor integration, mapping visualization, or GPS tracking used when developing transportation software.

Provide examples of past projects that involved solving similar problems to what Leidos tackles, like optimizing transit operations, enhancing aviation systems, or improving roadway efficiency. Demonstrate your depth of knowledge and passion for innovating in the transportation domain.

13. Explain your approach to debugging software, drawing on examples of troubleshooting defects in complex systems.

Here interviewers want to understand your systematic debugging practices and ability to methodically diagnose and resolve bugs in sophisticated environments. Avoid generalities and use specific examples of troubleshooting defects end-to-end.

Illustrate techniques like reproducing errors, log review, static analysis, instrumentation, and isolating faulty code. Share examples of leveraging tools like debuggers and profilers. Demonstrate tenacity by describing instances of persevering for days to fix elusive bugs. Convey broad debugging skills applicable across languages, platforms, and systems.

14. How would you implement version control for a team-based software project?

Collaboration is central at Leidos, so interviewers are looking to ensure you have the right blend of technical proficiency and teamwork ability. Respond by outlining an effective version control workflow that enables smooth teamwork and protects code integrity.

Cover best practices like:

• Using Git and a branching model like GitFlow
• Making focused, atomic commits
• Submitting structured pull requests for peer review
• Maintaining a quality central repository
• Automating builds and tests
• Communicating changes across the team

Convey experience adhering to proven version control methodologies and fostering collaboration.

15. When engineering software for biometrics systems, how would you validate accuracy and precision?

Biometrics software demands extreme precision, so this