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Contract Programming Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Contracts Manager

Columbia, MD · On-site

$88K - $118K/yr

Structural Group, Inc., develops and integrates products, engineering support, repair and ... Supporting all aspects of contract dispute resolution, including assisting with litigation ...

Contracts Manager

Arlington, VA · On-site

$102K - $136K/yr

... engineering, program management, and leadership to support proposal development, contract negotiation, and execution across government and commercial customers. The ideal candidate brings strong ...

Senior Systems Engineer

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$101K - $139K/yr

Lead the contract engineering team to develop and execute Systems Engineering processes within TENCAP including: prepare decision justification materials; prepare design studies to identify and ...

Showing results 21-40

Contract Programming information

See Washington, DC salary details

$11

$39

$80

How much do contract programming jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract programming in Washington, DC is $39.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.49 and $50.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Contract Programming vs Software Developer?

AspectContract ProgrammingSoftware Developer
CredentialsTypically no specific certifications required, but technical skills are essentialOften holds degrees or certifications in computer science or related fields
Work EnvironmentProject-based, freelance or temporary roles, often remoteFull-time employment, in-house or remote
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across various industries for short-term projectsEmployed by companies for ongoing development roles
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for flexibility and project scopeCompared for career stability and growth opportunities

Contract Programming involves short-term, project-based work often as a freelancer, while Software Developers typically work full-time within a company. Both roles require strong technical skills, but their work environments and employment terms differ significantly.

What is contract programming?

Contract programming refers to the practice of hiring software developers or programmers on a contract basis, rather than as permanent employees. These professionals are typically brought in to work on specific projects or for a set period of time, often to address resource gaps or provide specialized expertise. Contract programmers are responsible for designing, writing, testing, and maintaining code according to the requirements set by the client. This arrangement offers flexibility for both the employer and the programmer, as it allows businesses to scale their workforce as needed and gives programmers the opportunity to work on diverse projects.

What are some common challenges faced by contract programmers when working with multiple clients simultaneously?

Contract programmers often juggle projects for several clients at once, which can present challenges in time management, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring clear communication. Balancing different workflows, adapting to various coding standards, and aligning with each client’s expectations require strong organizational and interpersonal skills. It's important to establish transparent timelines, utilize project management tools, and maintain regular check-ins with clients to keep projects on track and avoid misunderstandings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Programmer, you need advanced programming skills, knowledge of multiple programming languages, and a proven track record demonstrated by a relevant degree or portfolio of completed projects. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), project management tools, and sometimes certifications in specific technologies (such as AWS or Microsoft Azure) are commonly expected. Strong communication, time management, and problem-solving abilities help you adapt to diverse client needs and collaborate remotely. These skills enable you to deliver high-quality, on-time solutions while maintaining client satisfaction in a competitive contract environment.
What are the most commonly searched types of Programming jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Programming jobs in Washington, DC are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Programming jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Programming jobs in Washington, DC are:

Contract Specialist - Finance

Apogee Integration LLC

Chantilly, VA • On-site

$110K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI with willingness to take a CI Polygraph required
Position
  • The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is the U.S. Government agency in charge of designing, building, launching, and maintaining America's intelligence satellites.
    Develop. Acquire. Launch. Operate.
  • Apogee's ideal candidate is a motivated, self-starting Contracts Professional who is comfortable working independently within a dynamic team and interacting with junior to senior level professionals. This professional will support contracts/and related business processes throughout all stages of the contract management life cycle, with focus on financial management. The candidate should be comfortable with performing programmatic review and analysis of Contract Data List Requirements (CDRLs). This individual should have experience meeting deadlines, and prioritizing contracts related items across large organizations. If you thrive providing Contracts support to the government, then you'll love Apogee and this position!

What You'll Do
  • Post-Award Acquisition Support: Provide advice, recommendations, and document support to multiple disciplined offices in all areas of the acquisition post-award phase
  • Acquisition post-award support includes: Contract Administration, Contract Modification Support, Delivery/Task Order Support, financial tracking, attending PMRs/BMRs and providing analysis of progress, and Award Fee management
  • Track the commitment, obligation and expenditure of funds throughout the life cycle of an acquisition/appropriation using NRO execution tools and practices, as well as develop unique tools and program practices for sensitive SAP data.
  • Provide contractual domain expertise in implementation, execution and administration for all aspects of contract management
  • Champion financial management activities such as collecting, running, and analyzing contract performance metrics and invoices
  • Understand the business cases and have an appreciation of financial/analytical issues
  • Analyze significant, and/or unique contract requirements, special provisions, terms and conditions to ensure compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, and policies
  • Correspond with Government and developers regarding contract status, requests for additional information, etc.
  • Support project accounting functions regarding maintenance of contract files
  • May prepare complex requests for proposals
  • May mentor and train less experienced professionals

Required
  • Bachelor's degree with 4+ years of relative experience
  • Strong understanding of Government finance

Strongly Desired Skills
  • Certification DAWIA Level I OR II desired

Strongly Desired Skills
  • Certification DAWIA Level I OR II desired

Pay
  • Target Salary Range: $110,000 to $125,000. The salary range listed represents the anticipated compensation for this position. Actual compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience, qualifications, skills, and other relevant factors

What You'll Love About Apogee
  • Challenging work in support of US Intel Community - a Mission that Matters!
  • Access to our cool ApogeePlex facility.
  • Support for new ideas & encouragement to take risks
  • Professional Development Assistance (PDA)
  • Wicked smart and collaborative coworkers
  • Regular interfacing with company leadership
  • 401(k) with huge company match
  • Paid Time Off / Floating Holidays
  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability (Short and Long Term)
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)
  • Health Savings Accounts / Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

Apogee's Mission
  • Be the PROVIDER of choice for government & commercial organizations with an unwavering commitment to responsiveness, accuracy, integrity, collaboration, and innovation.
  • Be the EMPLOYER of choice committed to an open & transparent corporate atmosphere and progressive culture that attracts and empowers world class professionals to explore cutting-edge technical solutions while fostering professional growth.
  • Be the preferred SOURCE for cutting-edge Analytic Products, Systems & Software Engineering, Big Data Integration, IT and Business Services that directly contribute to customer success

Apogee Integration is an Equal Opportunity/AA Employer - M/F/Vets/Disabled