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Associate Application Developer Jobs in Fairfax, VA

Senior Applications Developer

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$165K - $230K/yr

Overview SENIOR APPLICATION DEVELOPER (NAUT): Bowhead seeks a Senior Application Developer to ... CISSP, CASP+, CCNP Security, CISA, CISSP (or Associate), GCIH, GCFA, or CSSLP Desired: Multiple ...

Cloud Application Architect

Chantilly, VA ยท On-site

$67.25 - $85.50/hr

... Application Developer, Kubernetes Administrator Certification, or Certified Terraform Associate certification Company : Booz Allen Hamilton is a consulting firm that specializes in analytics ...

Sr Backend Developer

Herndon, VA ยท On-site +1

$123K - $160K/yr

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate or Professional (Preferred). * Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) or similar container-related certification (Preferred). * Certified ...

Sr Backend Developer

Herndon, VA ยท Remote

$123K - $160K/yr

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate or Professional (Preferred). * Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) or similar container-related certification (Preferred). * Certified ...

Showing results 41-60

Associate Application Developer information

See Fairfax, VA salary details

$72.1K

$114.1K

$154.3K

How much do associate application developer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate application developer in Fairfax, VA is $114,065.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,800.00 and $143,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate application developer?

Associate Application Developers are entry-level software professionals who assist with designing, coding, testing, and maintaining applications under the supervision of more experienced developers. Their responsibilities typically include writing code, debugging software, participating in code reviews, and collaborating with team members to deliver functional software solutions. This role is ideal for recent graduates or those new to the field, offering opportunities to learn best practices and gain hands-on experience in application development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate application developer?

To thrive as an Associate Application Developer, you need a strong grasp of programming languages (such as Java, Python, or C#), problem-solving skills, and a relevant degree or certification in computer science or software engineering. Familiarity with development frameworks, version control systems (like Git), and integrated development environments (IDEs) is typically required. Effective communication, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn make candidates stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering high-quality code, collaborating in teams, and adapting to evolving technology requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by associate application developers during their first year on the job?

Associate Application Developers often encounter challenges such as learning the company's codebase, adapting to new development tools, and understanding established workflows. Collaborating effectively with more experienced developers and integrating feedback into their work can also be a learning curve. Balancing multiple tasks or projects while meeting deadlines is another common challenge, but support from team leads and access to mentorship programs are typically available to help new developers grow and succeed.

What is the difference between Associate Application Developer vs Application Developer?

AspectAssociate Application DeveloperApplication Developer
Required CredentialsTypically an associate's degree or relevant certificationsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field often preferred
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, supporting development teams, learning on the jobFull responsibility for designing, coding, and testing applications
Employer UsageCommonly used in tech companies, IT departments, and consulting firmsUsed across industries for developing software solutions

The main difference between an Associate Application Developer and an Application Developer lies in experience and responsibility. The associate role is entry-level, focusing on supporting tasks and learning, while the application developer takes on more complex development responsibilities. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but the application developer typically has more hands-on experience and autonomy.

What are the most commonly searched types of Application Developer jobs in Fairfax, VA?

The most popular types of Application Developer jobs in Fairfax, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Application Developer jobs in Fairfax, VA?

For Associate Application Developer jobs in Fairfax, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Fairfax, VA are hiring for Associate Application Developer jobs?

Cities near Fairfax, VA with the most Associate Application Developer job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Application Developer job openings in Fairfax, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,065 per year, or $54.8 per hour.

Senior Applications Developer

Bowhead

Arlington, VA โ€ข On-site

$165K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Overview
SENIOR APPLICATION DEVELOPER (NAUT):
Bowhead seeks a Senior Application Developer to support our customer on the Nautical contract in the Arlington, VA area. This position serves as a technical leader in the modernization of legacy DoD systems, providing advanced expertise in cloud-native development, architecture design, and team leadership.
This position is located near a metro station and a travel stipend may be provided if necessary.
Responsibilities
  • Lead the architectural design and development of complex cloud-native applications and systems for DoD modernization initiatives
  • Drive technical decision-making for legacy application migration strategies and modernization approaches
  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior and mid-level developers on best practices and advanced techniques
  • Design and implement scalable, secure, and resilient cloud architectures using industry best practices
  • Lead code reviews and establish coding standards, development processes, and quality assurance procedures
  • Collaborate with system architects and technical leads to define overall system architecture and integration strategies
  • Implement advanced DevOps practices including infrastructure as code, automated deployment pipelines, and monitoring solutions
  • Design and develop complex microservices architectures with proper service mesh implementation
  • Lead performance optimization efforts for cloud applications including load testing and capacity planning
  • Coordinate with government stakeholders to understand requirements and ensure technical solutions meet mission needs
  • Evaluate and recommend new technologies, frameworks, and tools to improve development efficiency and system performance
  • Lead incident response efforts for production issues and implement preventive measures
  • Design and implement comprehensive security controls throughout the application development lifecycle
  • Participate in technical reviews, design sessions, and architectural decision meetings
  • Manage technical debt and legacy system dependencies during migration projects
  • Develop and maintain technical documentation including architecture diagrams, design documents, and operational procedures
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams including security, operations, and quality assurance
  • Lead proof-of-concept development and technical feasibility studies
  • Ensure compliance with DOD Directive 8140 and applicable cybersecurity frameworks
  • Interface with the customer and external stakeholders in working groups, technical exchange meetings, and other forums
  • Chair/co-chair meetings and working groups on behalf of government representatives as directed
  • Resolve technical problems, allocate resources, and monitor development team performance to meet contract requirements
  • Provide daily technical leadership and guidance to development team members
  • Provide planned replacement information at least 15 calendar days prior to replacement
  • Provide information within 24 hours of an unplanned replacement
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or related technical field from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution; Master's degree preferred. Ten (10) years of progressive experience in software development with significant cloud application experience may be substituted in lieu of degree
  • Minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in software development with significant cloud application experience
  • Expert-level proficiency in multiple programming languages and development frameworks (C++ / Java)
  • Extensive experience with cloud platforms and advanced cloud services (compute, storage, networking, security)
  • Deep understanding of distributed systems, microservices architecture, and cloud-native design patterns
  • Proven leadership experience mentoring technical teams and managing complex development projects
  • Advanced knowledge of containerization, orchestration, and service mesh technologies
  • Experience with infrastructure as code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation, ARM templates)
  • Strong understanding of DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing strategies
  • Expertise in application security, secure coding practices, and compliance frameworks
  • Excellent communication skills with ability to present complex technical concepts to various audiences
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Required: IAT Level III certification (one of the following): CISSP, CASP+, CCNP Security, CISA, CISSP (or Associate), GCIH, GCFA, or CSSLP
Desired: Multiple cloud platform certifications at professional level (AWS Solutions Architect Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect), Kubernetes CKA/CKAD, Docker Certified Associate, specialized security certifications
Physical Demands:
  • Must be able to lift 25 pounds on occasion.
  • Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged period amounts of time.
  • Must be able to twist, bend, and squat periodically.

Target salary range is between $165,000 - $230,000 commensurate with experience.
Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Bowhead considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and business considerations when extending an offer.
SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to maintain a security clearance at the Top Secret level with SCI eligibility and maintain SAP eligibility. Due to work requirements, this position will not entertain work from home capabilities. US Citizenship is a requirement for this contract.
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