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Creative Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Curtiss-Wright

Principal Software Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$138K - $185K/yr

Principal Software Engineer - Onsite Ashburn, VA or Massachusetts We are looking for creative software developers who have a passion to invent, design and implement embedded software along with a ...

Curtisswright

Principal Software Engineer

Ashburn, VA

$138K - $185K/yr

Principal Software Engineer - Onsite Ashburn, VA or Massachusetts We are looking for creative software developers who have a passion to invent, design and implement embedded software along with a ...

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All JobsCreative Software Engineer JobsCreative Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Creative Software Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$71.9K

$167.1K

$232.7K

How much do creative software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for creative software engineer in Washington, DC is $167,085.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,900.00 and $195,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do Creative Software Engineers typically collaborate with designers and other team members during a project?

Creative Software Engineers often work closely with designers, product managers, and other developers to bring innovative digital experiences to life. Collaboration usually involves participating in brainstorming sessions, translating design concepts into functional code, and providing technical feedback to ensure feasibility. Regular communication through stand-ups, design reviews, and prototyping helps align everyone’s vision and ensures a seamless workflow. This cross-disciplinary approach not only enhances project outcomes but also allows engineers to expand their skill set and gain insights from other fields.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Creative Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Creative Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills, a solid understanding of software development principles, and often a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools like version control systems (e.g., Git), creative coding frameworks (e.g., Processing, OpenFrameworks), and design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) is typically required. Outstanding creative thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities help set top candidates apart. These skills are crucial for developing innovative solutions that merge technical expertise with artistic vision, driving impactful and engaging software projects.

What are Creative Software Engineers?

Creative Software Engineers are professionals who blend technical programming skills with creative problem-solving abilities to design and develop innovative software solutions. They often work on projects that require both technical expertise and artistic vision, such as digital media, interactive applications, games, or user experience design. Their role typically involves collaborating with designers, artists, and other developers to bring ideas to life using code and technology. Creative Software Engineers are valued for their ability to think outside the box and push the boundaries of what software can do.

What is the difference between Creative Software Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectCreative Software EngineerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field; sometimes additional design or multimedia skillsBachelor's in CS or related field; coding certifications optional
Work EnvironmentDesign-focused teams, multimedia projects, interactive mediaGeneral coding projects, applications, backend or frontend development
Industry UsageMedia, entertainment, advertising, gamingTech, finance, healthcare, various industries
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles blending creativity and codingGeneral software development roles

The Creative Software Engineer combines programming skills with creative design, often working on multimedia, gaming, or interactive projects. In contrast, a Software Developer focuses on building applications or systems across various industries. While both roles require strong coding skills, Creative Software Engineers emphasize creativity and multimedia integration, making their roles distinct in the tech and entertainment sectors.

What are popular job titles related to Creative Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Creative Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Creative Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Creative Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Creative Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Creative Software Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $167,085 per year, or $80.3 per hour.
Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

Curtiss-Wright

Ashburn, VA • On-site

$138K - $185K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Curtiss-Wright rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

99th of 485 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

Principal Software Engineer - Onsite Ashburn, VA or Massachusetts
We are looking for creative software developers who have a passion to invent, design and implement embedded software along with a curiosity and desire to learn. Your job will be to create or modify Board Support Packages (BSPs), device drivers, power-on firmware (BIOS/U-Boot), built-in test and design verification test software for Digital Signal Processing computer boards (DSPs).This is your opportunity to be innovative, flexible, self-directed and to bring your software engineering skills to our dynamically growing organization.
Location: Ashburn, VA or Massachusetts
We Take Care of Our People
Paid Time Off I 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing I Health and Wellness Benefits I Learning and Development Opportunities I Referral Program I Competitive Pay I Recognition I Employee Stock Purchase Plan I Inclusive & Supportive Culture *
Your Challenge
  • Design, develop and test new embedded software.
  • Apply established development processes and assist in process improvement.
  • Analyze requirements and develop design alternatives.
  • Develop test software and procedures.
  • Generate complete and accurate user and design documentation.
  • Provide input to architecture, design and code reviews.
  • Provide input and evaluation of new technologies and products.
  • Keep current with embedded software trends and share knowledge.
  • Provide task breakdowns and accurate estimates for project planning.
  • Review and validation of software releases.
  • Co-ordinate software releases.

What You Bring
  • Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering (or equivalent) with minimum 5 years' experience
  • Strong C programming skills
  • Linux and/or VxWorks device driver development
  • Hardware design verification test development
  • Firmware and/or BIOS development
  • Proven communication/interpersonal skills.
  • Strong sense of responsibility, commitment to quality and achieving deadlines.
  • Knowledge of embedded software engineering processes and standards.
  • Experience reading/understanding IC datasheets, board schematics.
  • Active secret clearance or ability to obtain secret clearance desirable
  • Experience in the following is an asset:
  • Yocto Linux/Xilinx PetaLinux, Xilinx MPSoC
  • Device driver development (Interrupts, DMA)
  • Software configuration management tools (git/svn), software defect tracking tools (JIRA), software debugging tools, test methodologies
  • Diagnostic tools like Digital Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, DVMs, etc.
  • PCIe, PCI, FPGAs, I2C, Flash, Ethernet
  • Project management

Our Values
Environmental, Social and Governance
Curtiss-Wright's Defense Solution division is a trusted, proven leader, delivering superior products and services that meet the defense and aerospace industries' toughest challenges with best-in-class value. Our solutions address air, ground, and naval defense applications, and are focused on growth segments with a high demand for advanced technology, enhanced safety, security, and performance. As a leading Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) solutions supplier for battlefield platforms and communication systems, we are uniquely positioned to benefit from the DoD's commitment to maintaining technological superiority on the battlefield.
To learn more visit: Home | Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions (curtisswrightds.com)
#LI-RF1
No unsolicited agency submittals please. Agency partners must be invited to participate in a search by our Talent Acquisition Team and have signed terms in place prior to any submittal. Resumes submitted directly to any Curtiss-Wright employee or affiliate will not qualify for fee payment, and therefore become the property of Curtiss-Wright.
Compliance Statement
This position may require exposure to export-controlled information and subject to additional security screening. In the event information provided during the security screening reveals ineligibility to access export-controlled information, any offer of employment may be reconsidered or withdrawn.
Curtiss-Wright is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected status. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition.
For US Applicants: EEO is The Law - click here for more information.
If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Talent Acquisition and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.

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About Curtiss-Wright

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Curtiss-Wright Actuation Division designs, manufactures and supports electro-mechanical actuation products and systems for use in demanding applications in Aerospace, Defense and Industrial Automation markets. Our market leading solutions help improve the reliability, efficiency and performance of our customers' operations and platforms, as well as reducing their environmental impact with energy efficient electro-mechanical designs and technology. For the Aerospace market, we supply actuation systems for flight control, landing gear, utility and other applications on both commercial and military aircraft. In Ground & Naval Defense markets, we support a wide array of applications ranging from door assist, ramp and hatch actuation, weapons handling systems, radar and launch platform actuation, and robotic (AUV/ROV) actuation. In Industrial Automation, our Exlar® actuators are globally recognized as a leading brand offering high power density, precision and reliability for machine/process applications in automotive, food & beverage, oil & gas, robotics, entertainment and many other industries.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Davidson, NC, US

Year founded

1929

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