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Defense Software Engineer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Rincon Research Corp

Software Engineer

Englewood, CO · On-site

$85K - $152K/yr

Rincon Research Corporation seeks a Software Engineer to create cutting edge software and cloud computing solutions to challenging national security and defense signal processing, geolocation, and ...

Toyon

Software Engineer

Fort Collins, CO

$120K - $200K/yr

Ability to qualify for a US Department of Defense security clearance required. This position is in-person. Toyon is seeking highly qualified Software Engineer candidates to develop software in the ...

Prolim Global

Senior software engineer

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

Defense and missile systems focus Position Overview Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a ... Software Engineer to support an Internal Research & Development (IRAD) program within the Missile ...

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asrcfh

Systems Engineer

Colorado Springs, CO · Hybrid

ASRC Federal Mission Solutions is a premier provider of systems engineering, software engineering, system integration and project management services for real-time, mission-critical defense systems.

asrcfh

Systems Engineer

Colorado Springs, CO · Hybrid

ASRC Federal Mission Solutions is a premier provider of systems engineering, software engineering, system integration and project management services for real-time, mission-critical defense systems.

Lynx

Principal DevSecOps Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

Lynx is a mission-driven aerospace and defense software company that specializes in the development ... They are seeking a Principal DevSecOps Engineer to support military aircraft platforms, focusing on ...

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Defense Software Engineer information

See Colorado salary details

$66.8K

$155.1K

$216.1K

How much do defense software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense software engineer in Colorado is $155,124.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $126,200.00 and $181,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Defense Software Engineer job?

A Defense Software Engineer develops, tests, and maintains software for military and defense applications. They work on secure, mission-critical systems such as weapons control, cybersecurity, and communication networks. Their role requires proficiency in programming languages, security protocols, and compliance with defense standards. Due to the nature of the industry, security clearances and adherence to classified information policies are often required.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Defense Software Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Defense Software Engineer, you need expertise in software development, a strong grasp of cybersecurity principles, and familiarity with defense industry standards, typically demonstrated by a degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field. Experience with programming languages such as C++, Java, or Python, knowledge of real-time operating systems, and certifications like Security+ or CISSP are often required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams are valuable soft skills. These competencies ensure that complex, secure, and mission-critical software solutions are effectively developed and maintained to meet stringent defense requirements.

What types of projects and technologies do Defense Software Engineers typically work on?

Defense Software Engineers often work on projects involving the development and maintenance of software for military systems, such as radar, communications, simulation, or weapons control platforms. They frequently use technologies like embedded systems, secure coding practices, and specialized hardware interfaces. Project work can range from upgrading legacy systems to designing cutting-edge capabilities, often requiring adherence to rigorous security and compliance protocols. Collaboration with systems engineers, hardware teams, and government stakeholders is typical, offering a dynamic and mission-driven work environment. This exposure helps engineers build specialized expertise while contributing directly to national security initiatives.

What are popular job titles related to Defense Software Engineer jobs in Colorado? For Defense Software Engineer jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Defense Software Engineer jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Defense Software Engineer jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Defense Software Engineer jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Defense Software Engineer job openings:
Defense Software Engineer jobs near you
Lead Software Engineer

Lead Software Engineer

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Boulder, CO • On-site

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Job Summary:
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions develops and fields transformative technology for national security. They are seeking a Lead Software Engineer to innovate within an agile environment, focusing on architecting and implementing complex software solutions while driving a SecDevOps approach.
Responsibilities:
• architects and champions a SecDevOps approach across the entire software development lifecycle
• driving the strategic design, development, testing, and operational scaling based on user feedback
• operate with high autonomy, guiding collaborative teams to design, implement, and maintain complex software solutions
• establishing modern industry standards and communicating technical vision clearly to stakeholders
• architecting system integrations to develop and deploy enterprise applications
• orchestrating containerization strategies using Kubernetes to manage and scale critical services
• engineering testing infrastructure and automation by designing and maintaining robust automated test scripts within optimized CI/CD pipelines
• delivering advanced operational support through technical requirements verification, system documentation, and complex troubleshooting in simulated environments
Qualifications:
Required:
• BA/BS Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related field of study
• 10 - 15 years of industry experience
• Extensive, expert-level software engineering experience in industry to be proficient in leading the design, development, and optimization of Java and C/C++ applications (including advanced network, multi-threaded, and high-performance client-server architectures) across Windows and Linux platforms
• Designing, implementing, and maintaining enterprise-grade automation using Python, Unix Shell scripting, Batch files, and Windows script files
• Architectural mastery of relational database design, advanced query optimization, and complex Structured Query Language (SQL) data manipulation
• Architecting and driving innovative solutions to complex, ambiguous engineering problems while mentoring junior and mid-level engineers
Preferred:
• Platform Expertise: Subject matter expertise in architecting and scaling Red Hat OpenShift and enterprise Kubernetes infrastructures.
• Domain Leadership: Deep domain knowledge of FORGE MDPAF or satellite ground station processing systems (including advanced planning, ground control, and high-throughput data processing).
• Enterprise DevSecOps Tools: Advanced proficiency driving automation via Python, optimizing CI/CD workflows within GitLab/Azure DevOps, and managing lifecycles using Jira/Confluence.
• Comprehensive Testing Architecture: Proven track record designing and leading automated functional, integration, regression, and high-load performance testing strategies.
• Security & Compliance: Possession of an active Top Secret/SCI or Secret security clearance.
• Industry Certifications: Advanced professional certifications such as Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA), Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), or Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD).
• Modern Infrastructure: Extensive experience implementing advanced Infrastructure as Code (IaC) architectures (e.g., Terraform) and mature GitOps workflows.
Company:
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions provides mission critical engineering, IT services, and war fighter solutions. Founded in 1994, the company is headquartered in San Diego, USA, with a team of 1001-5000 employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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