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Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts

Onto

Senior Software Engineer

Wilmington, MA · On-site

$133K - $176K/yr

Job Summary & Responsibilities We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Software Engineer to ... S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this ...

Onto

Senior Software Engineer

Wilmington, MA

$133K - $176K/yr

Job Summary & Responsibilities We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Software Engineer to ... S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this ...

Draper

Distinguished Cyber Software Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$100K - $275K/yr

From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the ... Duties/Responsibilities • Assess hardware and software for security vulnerabilities using a ...

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Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer information

What types of projects and technologies do entry level defense contractor software engineers typically work on?

As an entry-level software engineer in the defense contracting industry, you will often work on projects related to embedded systems, simulation software, cybersecurity applications, or mission-critical systems. Technologies commonly used include programming languages like C++, Java, or Python, as well as specialized tools for version control, testing, and secure software development. You’ll collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including systems engineers, project managers, and, at times, hardware engineers. A key challenge is adhering to strict security protocols and regulatory standards, but you will gain valuable experience in secure coding practices and large-scale system integration. These projects provide a strong foundation for future advancement within the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level defense contractor software engineer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer, you need a solid background in computer science or software engineering, with proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Java, or Python, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, integrated development environments (IDEs), and compliance with security standards such as DoD STIGs or obtaining a Security+ certification may be required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for success in this environment. These skills and qualifications are vital to produce secure, reliable software that meets strict governmental regulations and supports critical defense operations.

What does an entry level defense contractor software engineer do?

An Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer works on developing, testing, and maintaining software systems used in defense applications. This role often involves collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to create secure and reliable solutions for military or government clients. Responsibilities might include writing code, debugging software, and ensuring compliance with security and quality standards specific to the defense industry. Entry-level engineers often receive mentorship and training to help them understand specialized technologies and protocols required for defense projects.

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

AspectEntry Level Defense Contractor Software EngineerEntry Level Software Developer
CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field; security clearance often preferredBachelor's in CS or related field; security clearance usually not required
Work EnvironmentGovernment contractors, defense agencies, secure facilitiesTech companies, startups, corporate offices
Industry UsagePrimarily defense, aerospace, government projectsBroad industry, including tech, finance, healthcare
Job FocusEmbedded systems, cybersecurity, defense-specific applicationsWeb, mobile, enterprise applications

While both roles involve software development, Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer typically requires security clearance and focuses on defense-related projects within government or military sectors. Entry Level Software Developer has a broader industry scope with less emphasis on security clearance, working on commercial applications across various industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs in Massachusetts?

The most popular types of Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs in Massachusetts are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs in Massachusetts?

For Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs in Massachusetts look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs in Massachusetts are:

What cities in Massachusetts are hiring for Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in Massachusetts with the most Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer job openings:

Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer job openings in Massachusetts as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, and 26% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Robotics Software Engineer

ALTEN Technology USA

Reading, MA • On-site

$120K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

We're ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life-from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.
As part of the global ALTEN Group-57,000+ engineers in 30 countries-we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.
When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you'll collaborate on some of the world's toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
As a Robotics Software Engineer you will be responsible for;
We are seeking talented Robotics Software Engineers to join our team and contribute to the development of a cutting-edge robotics platform focused on autonomous navigation and manipulation. In this role, you will work closely with senior engineers and roboticists to design, develop, integrate, and debug software across the full robotics stack. Successful candidates will have hands-on experience building software for real robotic systems, strong programming skills, and a passion for solving complex technical challenges in dynamic environments.
  • Design, develop, test, and maintain software components across the robotics platform, including navigation, manipulation, perception, controls, and system integration.
  • Develop and deploy robotics applications using ROS 2 in both C++ and Python.
  • Integrate software across multiple subsystems, including sensors, actuators, compute platforms, and control frameworks.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to system performance, reliability, and robot behavior through testing, debugging, and root cause analysis.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement new features, improve system capabilities, and support deployment activities.
  • Participate in software architecture discussions, code reviews, and engineering best practices to maintain a high-quality codebase.
  • Support validation efforts through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and operation of physical robotic systems.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of development tools, testing frameworks, and deployment processes.

Qualifications;
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
    Professional experience developing software for robotics or autonomous systems.
    Strong hands-on experience with:
    • ROS 2
    • Modern C++ and/or Python
    • Linux-based development environments

    Experience integrating and debugging complex software systems.
    Understanding of robotics software fundamentals, including communication frameworks, system architecture, and hardware/software integration.
    Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a collaborative engineering environment.

Preferred Qualifications;
Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Robotic perception
  • Motion planning
  • Controls systems
  • Machine learning for robotics
  • Autonomous navigation

Experience with hardware bring-up, sensor integration, and low-level system debugging.
Hands-on experience deploying and troubleshooting software on physical robotic systems, not just simulation environments.
Familiarity with robotic manipulators, mobile robots, autonomous vehicles, or industrial robotics platforms.
Experience working with real-time or embedded systems.
Salary Range: $120K-$145K
The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate's combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience
Note: This is an ON-SITE position. The individual can sit either in North Reading, MA or Woburn, MA.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or pregnancy.
Please beware of job seeker scams and see this important notice on our careers page for more information about our recruiting process.
Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.

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