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Entry Level Computer Engineer Jobs in Sterling, VA

JAVA Developer

Sterling, VA

$50.50 - $65.25/hr

Qualifications: - Bachelors, Masters in Computer Science/ Computer Engineering/ Information Systems ... Entry Level/Fresher/experience Locations: PA, MD, TN, DE, CT, CA, NY, NJ, CA, VA, DC, etc. (must ...

AI Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$55K - $187K/yr

Computer and Information Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Management, Management Information ... PwC does not intend to hire experienced or entry level job seekers who will need, now or in the ...

... Computer Engineering, Physics, or related STEM discipline from an ABETaccredited institution (or equivalent). Dual majors and aerospace backgrounds encouraged. * Entry-level to early career.

High-Speed Systems Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$57K - $104K/yr

... Computer Engineering, Physics, or related STEM discipline from an ABETaccredited institution (or equivalent). Dual majors and aerospace backgrounds encouraged. * Entry-level to early career.

Assistant Engineer

Rockville, MD · On-site

$82K - $100K/yr

Job Summary Performs entry-level tasks and progresses to moderately complex Structural Engineering ... Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and cloud platforms (Sharepoint, Procore, etc.

Showing results 21-40

Entry Level Computer Engineer information

See Sterling, VA salary details

$29.7K

$68.7K

$116.9K

How much do entry level computer engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level computer engineer in Sterling, VA is $68,693.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $77,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical projects or tasks an entry level computer engineer can expect to work on in their first year?

As an entry level computer engineer, you'll likely be involved in supporting more senior engineers with tasks such as debugging hardware or software, conducting system tests, writing and maintaining code, and assisting with documentation. You may also help design and prototype circuit boards, work on firmware updates, or contribute to integration projects. Collaborative work is common, so expect to participate in team meetings and cross-functional projects, which is a great opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues and understand the broader workflow of product development.

What does an entry level computer engineer do?

As an entry-level computer engineer, your job is to help code and test hardware and software for your company. In this role, you may evaluate system requirements, make recommendations about computer purchases, and respond to technical support requests throughout the company. Entry-level computer engineers often focus on learning more about the unique operating environment of their employer, including any unique hardware or software the company uses. Senior computer employers often supervise your work, especially at companies that use this job as an extended training position. Other details of this job vary by company. For example, some computer engineers focus on cloud systems, while others help install new workstations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level computer engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Computer Engineer, you need a solid understanding of computer hardware, software fundamentals, and programming languages like C++ or Python, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or a related field. Familiarity with development environments, version control systems (such as Git), and basic circuit design tools is commonly expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set exceptional candidates apart. These skills enable engineers to efficiently develop, troubleshoot, and collaborate on technology solutions in dynamic, innovation-driven environments.

What is the difference between Entry Level Computer Engineer vs Entry Level Software Developer?

AspectEntry Level Computer EngineerEntry Level Software Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Engineering, certifications like Cisco or CompTIABachelor's in Computer Science or Software Engineering, certifications like Microsoft or AWS
Work EnvironmentHardware labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsOffice settings, coding environments, software development teams
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, manufacturing, telecommunicationsSoftware firms, tech startups, IT departments
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level roles in tech hardware and systemsCommonly compared for software development careers

Entry Level Computer Engineers typically focus on hardware, embedded systems, and system integration, working in environments that involve physical components. In contrast, Entry Level Software Developers primarily work on coding, software applications, and programming tasks. Both roles require a bachelor's degree and relevant certifications, but their work environments and industry focus differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Computer Engineer jobs in Sterling, VA? For Entry Level Computer Engineer jobs in Sterling, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Computer Engineer jobs in Sterling, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Computer Engineer jobs in Sterling, VA are:
What cities near Sterling, VA are hiring for Entry Level Computer Engineer jobs? Cities near Sterling, VA with the most Entry Level Computer Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Computer Engineer job openings in Sterling, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 71% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 28% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,693 per year, or $33 per hour.

Entry-Level Java Developer/Automation Tester

SAIC

Ashburn, VA • On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

76th of 221 rated it services


Job description

Job Description
Description
We are currently seeking a motivated, career and customer-oriented Java/JEE Developer (Entry Level) to join our team to begin an exciting and challenging career in Ashburn, VA. Please note that candidates will be required to be in an automation tester role for the first 12-18 months of their employment. This is so that the candidate will get up to speed with the team structure, applications, technology stack, work requirements, etc. The candidate will then graduate to a developer role on the team.
Job Responsibilities
  • Design, implement, and unit test REST web services with Java, Spring, and JUnit.
  • Develop web applications with Angular that communicate with backend services.
  • Generating test data and performing Data Validation by writing SQL queries.
  • Write automation test scripts using Java.
  • Work collaboratively within a large, Agile development team.

Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science or related engineering field
  • Experience with Java/JEE design and software development experience including designing, developing, and documenting large-scale enterprise software systems
  • Spring Boot
  • REST web services
  • RxJS
  • Typescript
  • XML/JSON
  • RDBMS (e.g. Oracle or PostgreSQL)
  • SQL
  • JPA/Hibernate
  • Angular
  • HTML/Javascript/CSS
  • Knowledge of web application development required

Desired Skills and Experience
  • Master's degree in computer science or related field is a plus
  • Recent and relevant course projects, internships, co-ops, or personal work showcasing full stack development skills would be a plus
  • Experience with microservices architecture
  • Experience writing their own automation scripts
  • Experience with Selenium, Cucumber, Playwright
  • Experience with NoSQL databases
  • Familiar with AWS
  • Comfortable with Eclipse and Visual Studio Code
  • Agile development approach
  • Good communication skills (writing and presenting)
  • Strong initiative: must be able to take a high-level requirement, ask questions/seek clarifications, and get the job done
  • Ability to work in a high-pressured, tight-deadline environment
  • Superior written and oral communication skills are essential
  • Must be able to multitask efficiently and progressively and work comfortably in an ever-changing data environment
  • Must work well in a team environment as well as independently
  • Excellent verbal/written communication and problem solving skills; ability to communicate information to a variety of groups at different technical skill levels

Customer Requirements
  • Clearance - Ability to obtain and hold a public trust position and favorable suitability based on a CBP Background Investigation
  • Citizenship - Must be a US Citizen
  • Location - Required to be on-site in Ashburn, VA 5 days per week for the first year of employment. After their first year, they will have the option to work a hybrid schedule (2-3 days on-site) depending on the needs of the team.

Target salary range: $80,001 - $120,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.
Overview
SAIC accepts applications on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline.
SAIC® is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.
We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

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