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Entry Level Software Development Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Saransh Inc

SDET FullStack Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

Role: SDET FullStack Engineer Location: McLean, VA (Day 1 Onsite) Job Type: Contract Skill Metrics: Java Angular Playwright Microservices Testing Javascript * At least 7+ year of relevant experience.

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All JobsSoftware Development Engineer JobsEntry Level Software Development Engineer JobsEntry Level Software Development Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Entry Level Software Development Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$23.8K

$104K

$187.4K

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

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level software development engineer in Virginia is $103,963.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,400.00 and $119,000.00 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 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.

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 Virginia? The most popular types of Software Development Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Software Development Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Entry Level Software Development Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Software Development Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Software Development Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
Entry Level Software Development Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Software Development Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,963 per year, or $50 per hour.
Entry Level Software Engineer

Entry Level Software Engineer

General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc

Manassas, VA • On-site

$77K - $86K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement

Posted 22 days ago

General Dynamics Mission Systems rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 29 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

116th of 205 rated software companies

Job description

Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, or Engineering, Science, or Math.
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Department of Defense Secret security clearance is obtainable within a reasonable amount of time after hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.
Responsibilities for this Position
ROLE AND POSITION OBJECTIVES:
As a Software Integration Engineer for the Multipurpose Interactive Trainer (MIT) team, you'll be a member of a cross functional team responsible for delivering cutting edge training systems to submarine fleets of both the US Navy and Royal Australian Navy. The MIT team's work is fast-paced and exciting and involves integrating cutting-edge software builds to deliver training for systems and capabilities that are not yet present in the Submarine Fleet. Training is deployed to Navy Bases including San Diego, Pearl Harbor, Bangor, Norfolk, Groton, Kings Bay and Perth, Australia.
As a member of our team, you will execute the following tasks:
  • Install, configure, test and maintain operating systems, system services, application software and system management tools for Linux systems, both natively and within virtual machines
  • Monitor and test application performance to identify issues with installation and performance
  • Troubleshoot Information Technology (IT) systems to diagnose and suggest/implement potential solutions
  • Support physical hardware installation of IT computing equipment and cabling at both local and remote sites
  • Install, manage, and load-balance Kubernetes clusters

We encourage you to apply if you have any of these preferred skills or experiences:
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science/engineering or another related field
  • Professional and experienced understanding of software engineering concepts, principles, and theories and skilled at applying technical standards
  • Experience installing, configuring and maintaining Linux-based systems
  • Experience with shell scripting (e.g., bash, ksh, csh, tcsh, etc.)
  • Ability to grasp and apply new information quickly, as well as navigate complex systems and scenarios
  • Takes initiative on assignments and professional execution of projects with little direction
  • Knowledge of software tools supporting Integrated Development Environments (IDE), version control, defect reporting and scripting

What sets you apart:
  • Clear understanding of the software engineering concepts, principles, theories, software development process, and agile methodology
  • Clear understanding of the software development process, with agile experience
  • Ability to grasp and apply new information quickly and handle increasing responsibilities with growing complexity
  • Team player who thrives in collaborative environments and revels in team success
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development for yourself and others
  • Current IAT Level I certifications, such as Network+, Security+, or Linux+
  • Experience with system build automation tools (i.e., Linux Kickstart, Puppet, Chef, Windows Deployment Server)
  • Networking knowledge (OSI Network layers, TCP/IP, DHCP)
  • Computer/Electronics Hardware Knowledge
  • Configuration management experience with both centralized and distributed version control systems
  • Experience with virtualization technologies, preferably Red Hat KVM
  • Ability to be creative, innovative and responsible, and able to master solid decision-making skills.
  • Team player who thrives in collaborative environments and revels in team success, meeting and exceeding personal and team commitments
  • Demonstrated leadership ability
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to professionally represent the program
  • Identifies opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation

Our Commitment to You:
  • An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
  • Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation's security
  • Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work, if desired (9/80 schedule)
  • Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more
  • See more at gdmissionsystems.com/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits

Workplace Options:
This position is fully onsite in Manassas Virginia.
While on-site, you will be a part of the Ashton Avenue Manassas facility.
Travel of at least 10% will be required.
Salary Note
This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.
Combined Salary Range
USD $77,843.00 - USD $86,358.00 /Yr.
Company Overview
General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans

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