2

Entry Level Defense Contractor Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Junior DevSecOps Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Dark Wolf constructs and deploys data management and analytics solutions for the defense and ... Core Technical Skills for Junior/Entry Level (Recommended foundational skill additions to excel at ...

... defense and space applications. Follow us on Twitter at @BWXTech and learn more at www.bwxt.com ... As a federal government contractor, BWX Technologies, Inc. and any subsidiaries, affiliates and ...

... defense and space applications. Follow us on Twitter at @BWXTech and learn more at www.bwxt.com ... As a federal government contractor, BWX Technologies, Inc. and any subsidiaries, affiliates and ...

New

Electrician

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

Naval Station Norfolk, VA Systems Application & Technologies, Inc. (SA-TECH) is a progressive and well-established Department of Defense (DoD) contractor specializing in Range operations and ...

COMSEC Test Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

From entry-level engineers to mission program leads, we create space for every employee to thrive ... From hypersonics and missile defense to hardened networks and orbital systems, we design, test, and ...

Showing results 41-60

Entry Level Defense Contractor information

See Virginia salary details

$24.8K

$47.4K

$67.9K

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

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level defense contractor in Virginia is $47,421.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,200.00 and $51,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level defense contractor?

An Entry Level Defense Contractor job involves working for a private company that provides goods or services to the military and government defense agencies. These roles can vary widely, including engineering, cybersecurity, logistics, and project management. Typically, entry-level positions require a relevant degree or technical skills, along with the ability to obtain security clearance if needed. Responsibilities may include assisting with research, supporting senior team members, and ensuring compliance with government regulations. It’s a great starting point for those looking to build a career in the defense industry.

What does an entry level defense contractor do?

As an Entry Level Defense Contractor, your daily responsibilities might include assisting with project documentation, analyzing data, supporting senior team members in proposal preparation, and ensuring compliance with defense regulations. You'll often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, such as engineers, analysts, and project managers, to help execute specific project tasks. Many roles involve a balance of desk work and occasional meetings or briefings to discuss project progress and requirements. This position offers valuable exposure to complex national security projects and allows you to build technical and collaborative skills that are highly regarded across the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the entry level defense contractor position?

To thrive as an Entry Level Defense Contractor, you generally need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as engineering, computer science, or business, along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Familiarity with industry-specific tools such as project management software, technical documentation platforms, and sometimes security clearance processes is often required. Strong attention to detail, adaptability, and teamwork are important soft skills for collaborating effectively and meeting project objectives. These abilities are essential for ensuring compliance with industry standards, successful project delivery, and maintaining the trust of both clients and regulatory bodies.

What are the most commonly searched types of Defense Contractor jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Defense Contractor jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Defense Contractor jobs in Virginia?

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

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Defense Contractor jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Defense Contractor jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Entry Level Defense Contractor jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Entry Level Defense Contractor job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Defense Contractor job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,421 per year, or $22.8 per hour.

Junior DevSecOps Engineer

Dark Wolf Solutions

Herndon, VA • On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Full-time, Contractor

Posted 19 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Assist in maintaining and operating automated CI/CD pipelines utilizing platforms such as Jenkins and GitLab CI/CD.

  • Support the integration of security tools and scanning processes into CI/CD workflows, including static code analysis, dynamic code analysis, and vulnerability scanning.

  • Help implement and execute automated testing suites, including unit testing, integration testing, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT).


Job description

Dark Wolf constructs and deploys data management and analytics solutions for the defense and intelligence communities. We're proud to boast a world-class engineering team that thrives on rolling up their sleeves to solve your mission's biggest challenges.
Dark Wolf is seeking a Junior DevSecOps Engineer to assist in maintaining, operating, and supporting Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) tools and pipelines used by the software development team. In this role, you will work alongside senior engineers to help ensure observability, security, and smooth operational flows across the software development lifecycle.
We are looking for an enthusiastic problem solver with strong foundational skills who is eager to learn, deliver high-quality results, and grow within a fast-paced, collaborative team environment.
Key Responsibilities
  • Pipeline Operations Support: Assist in maintaining and operating automated CI/CD pipelines utilizing platforms such as Jenkins and GitLab CI/CD.
  • Security Integration: Support the integration of security tools and scanning processes into CI/CD workflows, including static code analysis, dynamic code analysis, and vulnerability scanning.
  • Automated Testing Assistance: Help implement and execute automated testing suites, including unit testing, integration testing, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
  • Vulnerability Remediation: Collaborate with the development team to help identify and remediate security vulnerabilities and weaknesses in deployed applications.
  • Security Compliance: Maintain adherence to relevant security regulations, standards, and team operational procedures.
  • Mentorship & Growth: Learn and apply Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) and modern DevSecOps tools under the guidance of senior technical team members.

Qualifications:
  • Clearance: Must be a US Citizen holding an active TS/SCI security clearance with an active Full-Scope Polygraph.
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Experience: 0-4 years of experience with CI/CD concepts, methodologies, or automated pipeline building (academic projects, internships, or professional experience accepted).
  • Infrastructure Automation: Foundational exposure to or basic hands-on experience with automation tools for infrastructure provisioning and configuration management.
  • Version Control: Familiarity with version control systems and collaboration tools such as Git, GitLab, and Jira.
  • Systems Administration: Basic understanding of Linux systems administration and fundamental networking principles.
  • Problem Solving & Communication: Good troubleshooting skills paired with strong communication abilities to discuss technical concepts with teammates.
  • Security Protocol Discipline: Commitment to strict security protocols and DevSecOps best practices.

Core Technical Skills for Junior/Entry Level (Recommended foundational skill additions to excel at the Junior level)
  • Basic Scripting: Ability to write fundamental scripts in Bash or Python to automate basic administrative tasks.
  • Basic Containerization: Fundamental understanding of container concepts (e.g., Docker runtime, basic Dockerfiles).
  • Source Control Workflows: Familiarity with standard Git operations (branching, merging, pull/merge requests).
  • Linux CLI: Comfort navigating Linux environments, inspecting logs, and managing standard command-line tools.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Programming & Scripting: Familiarity with programming languages such as Python, C, or C++.
  • Container Technologies: Exposure to containerized software engineering practices and runtimes.
  • Agile Engineering: Familiarity with Agile software development practices and methodologies.
  • Cloud Exposure: Baseline familiarity with major cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.
  • Scanning Tooling: Exposure to basic security scanning and vulnerability management tools.
  • Certifications: Entry-level or professional certifications such as CompTIA Security+, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner / Developer, or Linux foundation credentials.

Position Clearance Requirement:
US Citizenship with an active TS/SCI security clearance with Full-Scope Polygraph
Location: Chantilly/Herndon, VA.
Target Salary Range: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00 (Commensurate with specialized expertise and technical skillset).
Equal Opportunity Employer:
We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity, confirm US Citizenship, and complete the required employment eligibility verification upon hire.
We are strictly looking for direct, full-time W2 employees. We do not engage with third-party staffing agencies, C2C, or 1099 independent contractors for this role.