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Cruise Software Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

System Safety

Senior System Safety Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$80 - $120/hr

... Launched Cruise Missile - Nuclear (SLCM-N) development program. This advanced role involves ... Develop safety requirements for subsystems such as mechanical components, software systems, and ...

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Cruise Software Engineer information

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$71.9K

$167.1K

$232.7K

How much do cruise software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for cruise software engineer in Washington 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.

What does a Cruise Software Engineer do?

A Cruise Software Engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software systems that power autonomous vehicles at Cruise. They work on a variety of technical areas, such as perception, planning, simulation, and infrastructure, to ensure that self-driving cars operate safely and efficiently. These engineers collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to solve complex problems, implement new features, and improve system reliability. Their work is critical to advancing the technology behind autonomous transportation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cruise Software Engineer?

To thrive as a Cruise Software Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, programming (especially in languages like C++, Python, or Java), and experience with autonomous systems or robotics. Familiarity with development tools such as Git, Docker, and continuous integration systems, as well as experience working with real-time operating systems, is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for building reliable, scalable software that powers autonomous vehicles while ensuring safety and efficiency.

What are some unique challenges Cruise Software Engineers face when developing autonomous vehicle systems?

Cruise Software Engineers often work with highly complex, safety-critical systems that require rigorous testing and validation. One unique challenge is ensuring that software interacts reliably with real-world sensors and hardware in unpredictable environments. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—such as hardware engineers, data scientists, and safety drivers—is essential to address issues that arise during simulation and on-road testing. Additionally, balancing rapid innovation with strict regulatory and safety standards can be demanding but is vital to the success of autonomous vehicle deployment.

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For Cruise Software Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Cruise Software Engineer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Cruise Software Engineer jobs in Washington are:

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Cruise Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cruise Software Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $167,085 per year, or $80.3 per hour.

Simulation Software Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago

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

2nd of 74 rated research

Job description

Description
Are you a versatile developer who wants to apply modern software practices to solve critical, real-world challenges in strike weapon technology?
Are you a software engineer who is naturally curious about how things work and loves collaborating with experts to build the right scientific computing solutions?
If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.
The Strike Guidance, Navigation, Control, and Seekers group is looking for a Simulation Software Engineer to help us architect, develop, and modernize physics-based simulations across a wide-ranging set of programs. Our group's goal is to ensure the United States has a distinct technology advantage in autonomous systems by leading the next generation of development and prototyping. We do this by providing world class design solutions with a focus on:
  • Guidance, Navigation, and Controls
  • Radio Frequency (RF) and Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors
  • Modeling and Simulation (M&S)
  • Hardware/Software Development & Test
  • Multi-Disciplinary Design Optimization

We develop and apply simulations to explore these areas across a variety of systems including hypersonic missiles, submarines, cruise missiles, and autonomous flight vehicles. As a member of our team, you will apply advanced programming techniques and design skills to develop sophisticated simulations and algorithms in many or all of these domains. We are committed to developing exceptional talent and fostering a culture of innovation, and as part of our group, you will have a chance to grow your expertise across these technologies.
As a Simulation Software Engineer, you will...
  • Develop physics-based models, algorithms, and simulations, applying modern software engineering practices and next-generation technologies to advance our capabilities.
  • Work closely with our cross-disciplinary team of engineers as well as simulation architecture experts across the lab to design innovate solutions to critical challenges.
  • Adapt simulations and algorithms to run on high-performance systems (such as cluster compute environments) or to integrate with test hardware.

Qualifications
You will meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a BS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
  • Have professional experience developing simulations or other scientific computing applications using C++ or a similar language.
  • Have proficiency with a high-level programming language such as Matlab/Simulink or Python.
  • Have experience developing software both individually and as part of a collaborative team, applying standard software engineering practices such as version control, CI/CD, test development, and containerization.
  • Are passionate about scientific computing and eager to learn domain-specific topics including guidance, navigation, control, and seekers.
  • Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately acquire a Top Secret clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government secret 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...
  • Have an MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
  • Have at least one year of professional experience developing simulations or other scientific computing applications using object oriented C++.
  • Have experience developing physics-based kinematic simulations (i.e. 6DOF), IR and RF seeker simulations, or simulations involving GNC algorithms.
  • Have experience designing, training, and deploying machine learning solutions to real-world problems, utilizing tools and frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
  • Have experience in one or more of the following areas: high performance computing (HPC); Nvidia CUDA or other GPU programming; FPGA programming; highly concurrent systems; signal processing; writing software that interfaces with embedded systems hardware or other hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations.
  • Are skilled developing software in both Linux and Windows environments using CMake and Visual Studio.
  • Currently possess an active Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance.

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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