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Defense Software Engineer Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

Air

Lead Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA

... the defense and intelligence communities. This role is a full-time position located out of our ... Lead software engineering efforts from ideation through implementation as well as the day-to-day of ...

Air

Lead Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

... the defense and intelligence communities. This role is a full-time position located out of our ... Lead software engineering efforts from ideation through implementation as well as the day-to-day of ...

Air

Lead Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

... the defense and intelligence communities. This role is a full-time position located out of our ... Lead software engineering efforts from ideation through implementation as well as the day-to-day of ...

Carnegie Robotics

Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

... defense, agricultural, mining, industrial, and off-road autonomy applications. Our ruggedized ... What You'll Be Doing As a Software Engineer, you will be collaborating with an interdisciplinary ...

Carnegie Robotics

Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA

... defense, agricultural, mining, industrial, and off-road autonomy applications. Our ruggedized ... What You'll Be Doing As a Software Engineer, you will be collaborating with an interdisciplinary ...

Carnegie Robotics

Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

... defense, agricultural, mining, industrial, and off-road autonomy applications. Our ruggedized ... What You'll Be Doing As a Software Engineer, you will be collaborating with an interdisciplinary ...

Actalent

Senior Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · Hybrid

$70 - $82/hr

Job Title: Software Engineer We are seeking a highly experienced Software Engineer with deep ... Experience in rail signaling, transportation, aerospace, defense, industrial automation, or similar ...

Actalent

Senior Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA · Hybrid

$70 - $82/hr

Job Title: Software Engineer We are seeking a highly experienced Software Engineer with deep ... Experience in rail signaling, transportation, aerospace, defense, industrial automation, or similar ...

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Defense Software Engineer information

See Pittsburgh, PA salary details

$61.6K

$143.2K

$199.5K

How much do defense software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense software engineer in Pittsburgh, PA is $143,218.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,500.00 and $168,000.00 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 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 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 are popular job titles related to Defense Software Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA?

For Defense Software Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Defense Software Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA look for?

The top searched job categories for Defense Software Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA are:

What cities near Pittsburgh, PA are hiring for Defense Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Pittsburgh, PA with the most Defense Software Engineer job openings:

Defense Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Software Engineer job openings in Pittsburgh, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 78% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,218 per year, or $68.9 per hour.

Lead Software Engineer

Pittsburgh, PA

Air
See more jobs at Airexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Company Description
Air is the leader in Enterprise Readiness. Our mission is to establish readiness as a real-time condition that is continuously achieved. Today, a dangerous Readiness Gap exists between what the front line needs and what is delivered. Our AI-native platform, Air Enterprise Readiness, aligns development, production, delivery, and sustainment into one coordinated execution system for government agencies and industrial suppliers. By revealing true capacity, exposing real constraints, coordinating resources, and executing at the speed of operational demands, the front line gets what it needs to succeed.
 
Job Description
We are seeking a skilled and dedicated Software Engineering Lead to join our Engineering team. As the Software Engineering Lead at Air, you will be essential to crafting and implementing the software engineering processes and implementations within AIr.
 
In order to do this job well, you must be obsessed with quality, and efficiency, and love working with diverse technologies. You have a strong understanding of software engineering design principles, as well as a strong technical prowess. Our ideal candidate is someone who is energized by building scalable technology to support the defense and intelligence communities.
 
This role is a full-time position located out of our office in Pittsburgh, PA.
This role may require up to 10% travel
Scope of Responsibilities
  • Lead software engineering efforts from ideation through implementation as well as the day-to-day of a small team containing both front-end and back-end software engineers
  • Lead Agile ceremonies for the software engineering team
  • Establish coding and testing best practices and standards for Engineers
  • Develop, test, and deploy modern software applications and new features
  • Oversee the quality of Engineers' deliverables, such as coding, testing, debugging
  • Collaborate with Air's product team to turn business requirements into technical specifications 
  • Regularly seek out innovation and continuous improvement, finding efficiency in all assigned tasks
  • Collaborate with data engineers, data scientists, QA engineers, and DevOps engineers to improve the overall quality and performance of the platform
Qualifications
  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics or a related technical field 
Required Skills: 
  • 5 years of software development experience with an object-oriented programming language comparable to Java, C++, Python, C#, or Ruby
  • Hands-on experience with Spring Boot, Quarkus, or similar technologies
  • Knowledge of data structures, object-oriented design, algorithms, exception handling, and troubleshooting
  • Experience writing SQL and implementing database design
Desired Skills: 
  • Current possession of a U.S. security clearance, or the ability to obtain one with our sponsorship
  • Experience in or exposure to the nuances of a startup or other entrepreneurial environment
  • Previously experienced working in a product organization
We firmly believe that past performance is the best indicator of future performance.  If you thrive while building solutions to complex problems, are a self-starter, and are passionate about making an impact in global security, we're eager to hear from you.
 
AIr is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans status or any other characteristic protected by law.

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