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Defense Software Engineer Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

OR · On-site

Experience deploying or operating software in government, defense, or similarly regulated ... Prior customer-facing or forward-deployed engineering experience.

$130K/yr

This role does not perform independent software design or engineering and does not own ... With a focus on agility and collaboration, LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy ...

Quality Engineer

Sherwood, OR

$77K - $100K/yr

Space & Defense, Aerospace, Electronics and Commercial Customers. We are Technology Driven ... Our own in-house software developers continually improve the flow of information we need to do our ...

... and software teams to translate analytic and research requirements into scalable data solutions ... With a focus on agility and collaboration, LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy ...

OR · On-site

$104K - $143K/yr

... software engineering, information technology, and electromagnetic spectrum management solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State, and national security community. Expression ...

ADI combines analog, digital, AI, and software technologies into solutions that combat climate ... S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this ...

Integration Engineer

Beaverton, OR · On-site

$75K - $103K/yr

ADI combines analog, digital, AI, and software technologies into solutions that combat climate ... S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this ...

... defense. We support real science and scientists throughout the world. We are now looking for a ... A software engineer with 10+ overall years of experience with at least 4+ years of hands-on ...

Manager, Compiler Engineering

Hillsboro, OR · On-site

$224 - $356.50/hr

... defense. We support real science and scientists throughout the world. We are now looking for a ... A software engineer with 10+ overall years of experience with at least 4+ years of hands‑on ...

Senior Forward Deployed Engineer

OR · Remote

$104K - $143K/yr

... Global Defense and Security customers. In this role, you will work directly with key partners ... Design and develop robust, full-stack software, including front-end, back-end, data integration ...

... National Defense. Come join the fastest growing Division at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc ... You will work closely with cloud engineers, software engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and ...

Android Engineer (RFID)

$100K - $170K/yr

Overview We're hiring an Android Engineer to join our growing mobile team. You'll work alongside ... With a focus on agility and collaboration, LMI serves the defense, space, healthcare, and energy ...

Showing results 41-60

Defense Software Engineer information

See Oregon salary details

$67.1K

$156K

$217.3K

How much do defense software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense software engineer in Oregon is $155,975.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $126,900.00 and $182,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a defense software engineer?

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 cities in Oregon are hiring for Defense Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in Oregon with the most Defense Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Defense Software Engineer job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $155,975 per year, or $75 per hour.

Forward Deployed AI Engineer (FedD149B/ FedD110)

Defense Unicorns

OR • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

EMPLOYER IS A CONTRACTOR FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. THIS POSITION REQUIRES U.S. CITIZENSHIP.

Role Description:

Defense Unicorns is seeking a Senior Forward Deployed AI Engineer to embed with defense and national security customers as a technical partner, owning solutions from problem discovery through production deployment. The work centers on backend engineering, data pipelines, and retrieval systems that power agentic and generative AI capabilities on top of Defense Unicorns' core platform (Unified Defense Stack). You'll deploy and operate these systems across cloud, on-prem, and air-gapped environments, then carry field insights back to product and engineering to improve the platform. This is a customer-facing, delivery-focused role, not an ML research position.

Responsibilities:

  • Embed with strategic customers as a technical partner, owning the arc from problem discovery through solution delivery and customer adoption.
  • Architect, build, and deploy backend systems that power generative AI capabilities: APIs, data processing pipelines, integration layers, Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), and context engineering patterns.
  • Deploy and operate systems in cloud, on-prem, and air-gapped environments using Defense Unicorns' core platform and delivery patterns.
  • Scope and sequence delivery: define roadmaps, set priorities, make speed/quality/scope tradeoffs, and remove blockers across internal teams and customer stakeholders.
  • Codify reusable patterns for mission environments: tooling, internal frameworks, and playbooks that make future deployments faster and more repeatable.
  • Serve as the technical face to customer leadership: translate complex technical work for non-technical stakeholders, build trust, and drive adoption.
  • Carry field insights back to product and engineering teams to improve the platform based on what's actually breaking or missing in production.
  • Prototype and validate new capabilities using core products and design patterns, feeding lessons learned back into the product.

Travel Expectations/Requirements: Up to 25%, flexible based on engagement needs

The listed responsibilities are not exhaustive and additional responsibilities may be assigned based on the evolving needs of the organization. We are seeking a dynamic individual who is able to adapt and take on new responsibilities as they arise.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

  • 4+ years of backend or full-stack engineering experience, with production-grade work in Python.
  • Experience designing and operating data pipelines, APIs, and integration layers in production.
  • Hands-on experience with information retrieval systems: keyword search, vector search, document parsing and chunking, reranking, or search engine internals (Elasticsearch, OpenSearch, or similar).
  • Working knowledge of RAG patterns or applied generative AI: connecting LLMs to real data sources in a production context.
  • Experience deploying or operating software in government, defense, or similarly regulated environments (or equivalent high-assurance contexts).
  • Strong communication skills: able to translate technical work into clear language for non-technical stakeholders and build trust with customers.
  • Comfort with ambiguity and shifting priorities. You take initiative, define your own work when direction is unclear, and deliver under pressure.
  • Eligibility to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications:

  • Experience deploying applications on Kubernetes in air-gapped or classified environments.
  • Familiarity with open-source LLMs/SLMs (Llama, Mixtral, Gemma, Phi), including inference frameworks, structured output, or fine-tuning.
  • Experience developing and maintaining LLM evaluation frameworks.
  • Background in document processing pipelines: parsing, chunking, embedding, and indexing at scale.
  • Active security clearance (Secret or above; TS/SCI preferred).
  • Prior customer-facing or forward-deployed engineering experience.