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Entry Level Software Development Engineer Jobs in Maryland

Software Engineer This Software Engineer will focus on improving the productivity and experience of software developers by building and integrating advanced development tooling. The role emphasizes ...

The Software Engineer (SWE) shall possess the following capabilities: (U) Analyze user requirements ... development process standards (U) Design and code new software or modify existing software to add ...

The role requires a self-motivated individual that will support new development work as well as ... in software development/ engineering in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and ...

The Software Engineer designs, develops, tests, deploys, documents, maintains, and enhances complex ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

The Software Engineer designs, develops, tests, deploys, documents, maintains, and enhances complex ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ... Software Engineer (SWE) shall possess the following capabilities: Analyze user requirements to ...

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Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Software Development Engineer information

See Maryland salary details

$23.3K

$101.8K

$183.4K

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

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level software development engineer in Maryland is $101,774.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,100.00 and $116,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Software Development Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Software Development Engineer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages like Java, Python, or C++, along with a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems such as Git, basic debugging tools, and common development environments is expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective teamwork, and a willingness to learn quickly set outstanding candidates apart. These skills and qualities enable new engineers to contribute to projects efficiently, adapt to evolving technologies, and collaborate in dynamic development teams.

What is L1, L2, L3, and L4 developer?

In the context of an Entry Level Software Development Engineer, L1, L2, L3, and L4 typically refer to different levels of seniority and experience within a company's engineering hierarchy. L1 is usually an entry-level or junior developer, L2 and L3 are mid-level and senior developers with increasing responsibilities, and L4 often denotes a lead or highly experienced engineer. Progression through these levels generally involves gaining technical skills, problem-solving ability, and project leadership experience.

Which is better, CS or SE?

For an Entry Level Software Development Engineer, a Computer Science (CS) degree provides a broad foundation in programming, algorithms, and data structures, which are essential skills in software development. Software Engineering (SE) often emphasizes practical application, project management, and system design, which can be gained through experience and specialized training. Both paths can lead to similar roles, but CS is typically more theoretical, while SE focuses on building and maintaining software systems.

What are Entry Level Software Development Engineers?

Entry Level Software Development Engineers are individuals who are new to the software development field and typically have less than two years of professional experience. Their main responsibilities include writing, testing, and debugging code under the supervision of senior developers. They often work on small projects or parts of larger projects while learning industry best practices and development tools. This role is ideal for recent graduates or those transitioning into software engineering from another field, providing foundational experience and growth opportunities.

Will AI replace coders by 2040?

As an Entry Level Software Development Engineer, AI is expected to automate some coding tasks, but it is unlikely to fully replace human coders by 2040. AI tools can assist with code generation and testing, allowing developers to focus on complex problem-solving and design. Continuous learning and adapting to new technologies will remain essential for software engineers.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced software engineers, especially those in senior or specialized roles such as machine learning engineers, software architects, or those working at major tech companies, can earn $500,000 or more annually. Compensation often includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, particularly in competitive markets or executive-level positions.

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

AspectEntry Level Software Development EngineerSoftware Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field; internships preferredBachelor's in CS or related field; experience varies
Work EnvironmentTech companies, startups, corporate IT teamsTech firms, startups, freelance projects
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech industry, large corporationsWidespread across industries, including tech and non-tech
Search & Comparison IntentOften searched by new graduates or entry-level job seekersBroader, includes experienced roles and freelance work

Entry Level Software Development Engineers typically have a formal education background and internships, working in structured tech environments. Software Developers may have similar credentials but often include more experienced professionals or freelancers. Both roles focus on coding and software creation, but the Engineer role emphasizes learning and growth in a corporate setting, while the Developer role can be more flexible and diverse in work environment.

What are some common challenges faced by Entry Level Software Development Engineers during their first year on the job?

Entry Level Software Development Engineers often encounter challenges such as adapting to new codebases, learning company-specific tools and workflows, and effectively collaborating within cross-functional teams. They may also need to balance writing clean, maintainable code with meeting project deadlines. Regular feedback from more experienced team members and participation in code reviews can help address these challenges and accelerate the learning curve.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Development Engineer jobs in Maryland? The most popular types of Software Development Engineer jobs in Maryland are:
What cities in Maryland are hiring for Entry Level Software Development Engineer jobs? Cities in Maryland with the most Entry Level Software Development Engineer job openings:
Cloud Software Engineer - AI/ML Project Top Secret/SCI w/Poly

Cloud Software Engineer - AI/ML Project Top Secret/SCI w/Poly

Peraton

Laurel, MD • On-site

$104K - $166K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Peraton rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

46th of 204 rated it services


Job description

Responsibilities
Are you passionate about building cutting-edge cloud solutions that support national security? Do you thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven environments? Peraton is seeking a talented and skilled Cloud Software Engineer to join our Cyber Intelligence team in Laurel, MD.
As part of a collaborative, high-impact integrated product development team, you'll work on next-generation cyber and AI/ML capabilities hosted on large-scale compute clusters and AWS Cloud infrastructure.
This is your chance to help shape innovative services that make a real difference. Interested in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning? If so, this is the position for you.
The Cloud Software Engineer Level 1 Engineer provides cloud software research, development, and engineering services to include requirements analysis, software development, installation, integration, evaluation, enhancement, sustainment, testing, validation, and issue diagnosis/resolution.
#peratonroyalmove
#MPOJobs
#AJCM #PeratonRoyalMove
#MDFSP
Python, Java, C, C++, Hbase, Accumulo, Big Table, Map Reduce programming model and technologies such as Hadoop, Hive, Pig, etc., Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS), JSON and/or BSON. Taxonomy, Ontologies, and Big-Data Cloud Scalability (Amazon, Google, Facebook), cluster monitoring tools (e.g. Hobbit, Ganglia), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Large Language Model (LLM), Machine Learning (ML), AI/ML algorithms, statistical analysis, RAG, agents, and agentic workflow
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
  • A Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or in a related technical field from an accredited college or university is highly desired which will be considered equivalent to two (2) years of experience. NOTE: A degree in Mathematics, Information Systems, Engineering, or similar degree will be considered as a technical field.
  • Two (2) or more years of directly related experience in software development/engineering; including requirements analysis, software development, installation, integration, evaluation, enhancement, maintenance, testing, and problem diagnosis/resolution
  • At least 2 years of experience in software development/engineering, including requirements analysis, software development, installation, evaluation, enhancement, maintenance, and problem diagnosis/resolution.
  • Have demonstrated ability to work with OpenSource (NoSQL) products that support highly distributed, massively parallel computation needs such as Hbase, Accumulo, Big Table, etc.
  • Have at least one (1) year of experience developing software with high level languages such as Java, C, C++, et cetera.
  • Minimum of two (2) years of experience in software integration and software testing, to include developing and implementing test plans and test scripts
  • An Active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph is required

Additional Desired Qualifications:
Preferred, not required, to have one of the following Cloud Developer Certifications:
    • AWS Certified Developer-Associate
    • AWS Certified Machine Learning-Associate
    • AWS Certified Machine Learning-Specialty
    • AWS Certified Machine Learning-Specialty
    • AWS DevOps Engineer Professional
    • Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
  • Demonstrated experience with OpenSource (NoSQL) products that support highly distributed, massively parallel computation needs such as Hbase, Accumulo, and/or Big Table
  • Demonstrated experience with Map/Reduce and/or Hadoop, Hive, and/or Pig
  • Demonstrated experience with the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS)
  • Demonstrated experience with Big-Data Cloud Scalability (e.g. Amazon, Google, and/or Facebook)
  • Demonstrated experience designing and developing web applications with JavaScript
  • Demonstrated experience designing and developing automated analytic software, techniques, and algorithms
  • Demonstrated experience with compute cluster monitoring tools (e.g. Hobbit, Ganglia)
  • Demonstrated experience with Accumulo internals, to include configuring, tuning, and testing Accumulo in many configurations (>200 node clusters)
  • Competencies and Skills:
  • Experience with Large Language Models (LLM), Agentic AI, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
  • Expertise in AWS Cloud Architecture design and development
  • Proficiency in using AWS SDKs and APIs
  • Expertise in Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like CloudFormation or Terraform
  • Skilled in Continuous Integration, Deployment, Testing and Monitoring practices
  • Knowledge and skill in implementing and using observability tools (e.g. Elasticsearch, OpenSearch)
  • Java programming for distributed systems, with experience in networking and multi-threading
  • Agile development experience with source code management practices and tools
  • Well-grounded in Linux fundamentals and knowledge in at least one scripting language (e.g. Python, Ruby, Perl, etc.)
  • Familiarity with microservices software development techniques and container-orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes)
  • Knowledge of security and compliance best practices

Benefits:
Peraton offers enhanced benefits to employees working on our critical programs, which include heavily subsidized employee benefits coverage for you and your dependents, 25 days of PTO accrued annually up to a generous PTO cap and eligibility to participate in an attractive bonus plan.
Peraton Overview
Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.
Target Salary Range
$104,000 - $166,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
EEO
EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.

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About Peraton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Peraton, we re at the forefront of delivering the next big thing every day. We re the partner of choice to help solve some of the world s most daunting challenges, delivering bold, new solutions to keep people around the world safer and more secure.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2017