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Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer Jobs in Indianapolis, IN

College job type : Entry Level Full-time. Subfunction: Not Applicable Degree level : BS Educational ... Participate in code reviews and adopt software engineering best practices. * Assist in monitoring ...

College job type : Entry Level Full-time. Subfunction: Not Applicable Degree level : BS Educational ... Participate in code reviews and adopt software engineering best practices. * Assist in monitoring ...

College job type : Entry Level Full-time. Subfunction: Not Applicable Degree level : BS Educational ... Participate in code reviews and adopt software engineering best practices. * Assist in monitoring ...

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Entry Level Defense Contractor Software Engineer information

See Indianapolis, IN salary details

$22.9K

$100.2K

$180.7K

How much do entry level defense contractor software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level defense contractor software engineer in Indianapolis, IN is $100,235.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,100.00 and $114,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 Indianapolis, IN?

The most popular types of Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs in Indianapolis, IN are:

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

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

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

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

Software Engineer I

Cummins Inc.

Columbus, IN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Cummins rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 264 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

136th of 540 rated manufacturers


Job description

Job Summary:

Build high-quality, innovative and fully performing software in compliance with coding standards and technical design. Design, modify, develop, write and implement software programming applications. Support and/or install software applications. Participate in the testing process through test review and analysis, test witnessing and certification of software.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop software solutions by studying information needs; conferring with users; studying systems flow, data usage and work processes; investigating problem areas; following the software development lifecycle; Document and demonstrate solutions; Develops flow charts, layouts and documentation Determine feasibility by evaluating analysis, problem definition, requirements, solution development and proposed solutions; Understand business needs and know how to create the tools to manage them Prepare and install solutions by determining and designing system specifications, standards and programming Participate in educational opportunities; read professional publications; maintain personal networks; participate in professional organizations Provide information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing development and issues while protecting IT assets by keeping information confidential; Improve applications by conducting systems analysis recommending changes Define applications and their interfaces, allocate responsibilities to applications, understand solution deployment, and communicate requirements for interactions with solution context, define Nonfunctional Requirements (NFRs) Understands multiple architectures and how to apply architecture to solutions; understands programming and testing standards; understands industry standards for traditional and agile developmentCummins is an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity, or other status protected by law.

College job type: Entry Level Full-time.

Subfunction: Not Applicable

Degree level: BS

Educational Program: Artificial Intelligence & Business Analytics

Start date: 1st of June 2027

Job Skill Requirements:

  • Familiarity with AWS services, APIs, databases, telemetry data flows, logging platforms, and distributed system architectures.
  • Ability to integrate and analyze data across multiple subsystems
  • Basic Understanding of prompt engineering, agent design patterns, and AI-driven decisioning systems
  • Develop and enhance full-stack applications using modern web and cloud technologies.
  • Support cloud service development, integration, and deployment activities.
  • Create and execute automated tests to validate software quality and reliability.
  • Participate in code reviews and adopt software engineering best practices.
  • Assist in monitoring, troubleshooting, and improving cloud-hosted applications.
  • Collaborate with global engineering teams on feature development and technical investigations.
  • Document solutions, technical designs, and implementation approaches.
  • Learn and apply cloud architecture, cybersecurity, DevOps, and Agile development practices.

Required Work Location: On-site with Flexibility

U.S. Early Careers Eligibility Requirements:

Exempt Entry Level: Designed for external candidates within 2 years of completing their highest level of degree (Bachelor, Master, PhD, MBA, or JD) from an accredited U.S. college/university, and currently reside within the continental U.S.

International Student Eligibility (U.S. based roles): F-1 visa students must have approved Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Occupational Practical Training (OPT) before their Early Career assignment begin. CPT/OPT must relate to their degree and be authorized by their university. Students are responsible for securing this approval through their school's international office.

Competencies: 
Business insight - Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization's goals.
Communicates effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
Customer focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
Global perspective - Taking a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens.
Manages conflict - Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
Agile Architecture - Designs the fundamental organization of a system embodied by its components, their relationships to each other and to the environment to guide its emergent design and evolution.
Agile Development - Uses API-First Development where requirements and solutions evolve through the collaborative effort of self-organizing and cross-functional teams and their customer(s)/end user(s) to construct high-quality, well designed technical solutions; understands and includes the Internet of Things (IoT), the Digital Mesh, and Hyper Connectivity as inputs to API-First Development so solutions are more adaptable to future trends in Agile development.
Agile Systems Thinking - Embraces a holistic approach to analysis that focuses on the way that a system's constituent parts interrelate and how systems work over time and within the context of larger systems to ensure the economic success of the solution. 
Agile Testing - Leads a cross-functional agile team with special expertise contributed by testers working at a sustainable pace, by delivering business value desired by the customer at frequent intervals to ensure the economic success of the solution.
Regulatory Risk Compliance Management - Evaluates the design and effectiveness of controls against established industry frameworks and regulations to assess adherence with legal/regulatory requirements. 
Solution Functional Fit Analysis - Composes and decomposes a system into its component parts using procedures, tools and work aides for the purpose of studying how well the component parts were designed, purchased and configured to interact holistically to meet business, technical, security, governance and compliance requirements.
Solution Modeling - Creates, designs and formulates models, diagrams and documentation using industry standards, tools, version control, and build and test automation to meet business, technical, security, governance and compliance requirements.
Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. 
Education, Licenses, Certifications: 
College, university, or equivalent degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related subject, or relevant equivalent experience required. This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations. 
Experience: 
Experience working as a software engineer such as in a temporary student employment, intern, co-op, or other extracurricular team activities is preferred and includes working in an Agile environment and demonstrating knowledge in fundamental IT technical skill sets and ability to take a solution from scoping requirements through actual launch of the solution.


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About Cummins

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cummins Inc., headquartered in Columbus, IN, US, is a global power leader that designs, manufactures, and distributes numerous power products and systems. With its genesis from as early as 1919, the company readily serves diverse industries such as transportation, industrial, generator drive, or marine applications, among others. At the heart of Cummins' operations, its key product lineup encompasses diesel & natural gas engines, generator sets, engine components, and filtration, emission solutions, and electrical power generation systems. Cummins deeply embodies core values of integrity, respect for diversity, teamwork, performance excellence, and social responsibility - all of which dynamically fuel their mission 'Making people's lives better by powering a more prosperous world'.

Industry

Transportation equipment manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Columbus, IN, US

Year founded

1919