Contract Mastercard Software Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build asustainableeconomy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactionssecure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Software Engineer, Launch Program 2027 - United StatesWhy join Mastercard's Launch Program?
Over the course of this 18-month program, you'll build specialized expertise through hands-on experience, structured learning, and mentorship from industry leaders. You'll work on real business challenges, applying your skills to projects that create meaningful impact.
Along the way, you'll deepen your knowledge of Mastercard's business, collaborate with teams across the organization, and develop the technical, analytical, and professional capabilities needed to accelerate your career. By the end of the program, you'll have a strong foundation in your chosen field and the confidence to continue to grow here at Mastercard.
About the team
Mastercard's Software Engineering teams design, build, and optimize high-performing, highly scalable software solutions and products for some of the world's top brands. Using advanced cloud platforms, AI frameworks, and secure blockchain technologies, your work will transcend borders, connecting communities and transforming commerce.
What you'll do
As a Software Engineer, you will begin your career building real-world software solutions that support secure, scalable, and high-performing technology platforms. This role is designed for individuals who are excited to learn, grow, and apply software engineering skills in a collaborative environment. You will work alongside experienced engineers, receive structured onboarding and mentorship, and contribute to projects that impact customers globally. You may:
Write clean, maintainable code following established standards and best practices
Contribute to design, development, testing, and deployment of software features
Write basic automated tests to validate expected behavior and quality
Apply secure coding practices and defensive programming techniques
Participate in code reviews and incorporate feedback
Use debugging tools, logs, and documentation to help identify and resolve issues
Learn and work with existing systems, tools, and development workflows
Note: responsibilities, projects, tools, technologies and programming languages will vary by team
What we're looking for
Currently enrolled a Bachelor's or accelerated Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field graduating between Dec 2026 - June 2027
Project-based experience (academic, internship, or personal) using one or more programming languages such as Java, JavaScript, Python, or C#
Advancedproficiencyin data structures, algorithms, and core computer science concepts
Familiarity with version control tools (e.g., Git)
Experience or coursework involving automated testing
Strong problem-solving skills and eagerness to learn
Please be sure to upload an unofficial copy of your school transcript when submitting your application.
This role is not eligible for Mastercard's work authorization sponsorship. As such, candidates must be eligible to work in the United States, now as well as in the future, without employer sponsorship. For example, students or recent graduates in the United States on an F1 visa (including those with CPT or OPT authorization) are not eligible for this role.
National Salary Range (Applies Regardless of Location): $100,000-$130,000Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact reasonable_accommodation@mastercard.com and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices;

• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;

• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and

• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines.

In line with Mastercard's total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance); flexible spending account and health savings account; paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave); 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro-rated based on date of hire; 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays; 401k with a best-in-class company match; deferred compensation for eligible roles; fitness reimbursement or on-site fitness facilities; eligibility for tuition reimbursement; and many more. Mastercard benefits for interns generally include: 56 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time; jury duty leave; and on-site fitness facilities in some locations.