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Associate Professional Software Engineer Jobs in Baltimore, MD

VTG

Senior Software Engineer

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

$170K - $210K/yr

The Software Engineer will design, develop, test, integrate, and maintain scalable, highly ... Professional experience with Python software development and scripting. * Experience developing ...

VTG

Software Engineer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

A minimum of 7 years of professional software engineering experience. * Demonstrated experience with full-stack software development. * Experience developing Python applications or tools within the ...

Nightwing

Senior Software Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$125K - $165K/yr

Required : • Candidates must have an active TS/SCI with CI Poly clearance • 10+ years of professional software engineering experience, or a qualifying substitution as defined by program ...

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All JobsAssociate Professional Software Engineer JobsAssociate Professional Software Engineer Jobs in Baltimore, MD

Associate Professional Software Engineer information

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How much do associate professional software engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate professional software engineer in Baltimore, MD is $41.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $30.34 and $44.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate professional software engineer?

An Associate Professional Software Engineer is an entry-level or early-career position in software development, typically held by individuals who have recently graduated or have limited professional experience. They are responsible for assisting in the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software applications under the guidance of more senior engineers. This role often involves learning and applying coding standards, collaborating with team members, and gaining experience with software development tools and processes. Over time, Associate Engineers are expected to build their technical skills and take on more complex projects as they progress in their careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate professional software engineer?

To thrive as an Associate Professional Software Engineer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages (such as Java, Python, or C#), software development principles, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, development frameworks, and agile methodologies is typically expected. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and a willingness to learn help individuals excel in team environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for building reliable software, collaborating with others, and adapting to the evolving demands of technology projects.

What opportunities for professional development and mentorship are typically available to associate professional software engineers?

As an Associate Professional Software Engineer, you can expect to participate in structured onboarding programs, receive guidance from senior engineers, and attend regular code reviews. Many organizations offer mentorship programs to help you build technical skills, understand company practices, and navigate your career path. You may also have access to learning platforms, internal workshops, and opportunities to collaborate on cross-functional projects, all of which can accelerate your growth and prepare you for more advanced roles.

What is the difference between Associate Professional Software Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectAssociate Professional Software EngineerSoftware Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field; some certificationsBachelor's in CS or related field; coding bootcamps also common
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, team-based projects, corporate or tech firmsVaries from startups to large companies, project-focused
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by tech companies, consulting firms, and large enterprisesWidely used across industries, including tech, finance, and healthcare

The main difference is that Associate Professional Software Engineers are typically entry-level with some formal training or certifications, focusing on learning and supporting development tasks. Software Developers may have similar qualifications but often have more experience or a broader scope of responsibilities. Both roles are common in tech environments, but the Associate title emphasizes a starting position in software engineering careers.

Associate Professional Software Engineer jobs near you

Associate Software Engineer

Laurel, MD • On-site

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Manufacturing • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratoryexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Assist in designing, developing, and maintaining critical software for space-operations in a TS/SCI environment.

  • Help build, maintain, and improve containerized applications, APIs, data pipelines, and CI/CD pipelines.

  • Support the implementation of security controls and ensure system performance, observability, and compliance in test and staging environments.

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Description
Do you enjoy solving challenging problems and want hands-on experience with cloud-native technologies, DevSecOps, and distributed systems?
Are you eager to learn from experienced engineers while contributing to secure, reliable software with real-world mission impact?
If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!
We are looking for an Associate Software Engineer to help design, develop, and maintain critical software that supports National Security Space operations in a TS/SCI environment. You will work on scalable, secure, and observable systems for space-domain applications such as command-and-control, data processing, mission planning, and multi-domain integration tools. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your engineering skills while contributing to some of the toughest problems faced by our sponsors.
The role emphasizes DevSecOps practices, cloud-native architectures, and secure development/deployment in classified environments. You will work on distributed systems where reliability, security, performance, and auditability are essential, and you will receive mentorship from senior engineers throughout the process.
As a Junior Software Engineer you will...
  • Assist in designing and implementing backend services, APIs, and data pipelines for space-operations software.
  • Help build and maintain containerized applications and contribute to CI/CD pipelines under guidance.
  • Participate in adding security controls throughout the development lifecycle (DevSecOps).
  • Support development of event-driven or messaging-based components (e.g., basic Kafka/RabbitMQ usage).
  • Follow compliance procedures for classified environments, including air-gapped deployments and controlled updates.
  • Identify and solve issue, monitor, and improve system performance and observability in test and staging environments.
  • Participate in code reviews, learn from architecture discussions, and receive mentorship on standard methodologies.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, a related field, or equivalent practical experience (internships, open-source contributions, capstone projects).
  • Have 2+ years of full software engineering experience, including software design methodology, requirements development, configuration management, trade studies, and product defect tracking
  • Basic proficiency in at least one modern language/stack (C++, Java, or Python). Academic projects, internships, or personal code are acceptable.
  • Foundational Docker knowledge (building and running containers) and exposure to Kubernetes concepts (pods, Deployments, Services, ConfigMaps, Helm charts).
  • Experience (or coursework) creating simple CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, or Jenkins) that run builds, tests, and basic security scans.
  • Understanding of REST APIs, OpenAPI/Swagger documentation basics, and JSON data exchange (Protobuf a plus).
  • Familiarity with testing practices - writing unit tests and basic integration tests.
  • Comfortable using Git (feature branches, pull requests, and code reviews).
  • Possess interpersonal skills and are an effective communicator.
  • Have the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
  • Are able to obtain a Top-Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you:
  • Possess a Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field.
  • Have experience with DevOps Engineering or Process Automation
  • Have experience with cloud technologies such as Amazon Web Services, Azure, Google Cloud.
  • Knowledge of logging frameworks (Log4j/SLF4J), ELK stack, Prometheus, Grafana.
  • Introductory experience with Kafka, RabbitMQ, or other async patterns.
  • Have experience with Unix, Linux, and network computing.
  • Are well-versed in using professional software development tools such as integrated development environments (IDE), version control, issue trackers, debuggers and continuous integration tools and willing to lead teams through integration processes
  • Interest or experience with space-related software, real-time systems, or large-scale data processing.
  • Knowledge of cross-domain solutions or high-assurance system integration is a plus.

This is a high-impact role that offers hands-on experience building resilient software directly supporting space-superiority missions in a secure, forward-leaning development environment. You will grow your technical expertise while working alongside seasoned engineers dedicated to national security.
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$85,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$195,000 Annually

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