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Entry Level Software Development Engineer Jobs in Washington

We're looking for a Software Development Engineer to design and deliver solutions that combine distributed big data technologies and agentic AI development We're building solutions to achieve amazing ...

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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.

BCforward's team of dedicated staffing professionals has placed thousands of talented people over the past decade, with retention rates that are consistently higher than the industry average. SDET ...

Systems Engineering Services is seeking a SDET with AI/LLM experience based out of the Washington, DC area. Key Responsibilities &]:mb-0 [li &]:mt-1 [li &]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child) ul]:pb-1 [&:not ...

Computer Science, Math, or Engineering fundamentals. * Proficiency or ability to quickly learn JavaScript, APIs, SQL/NoSQL, and New Technologies. * High Energy / Attitude. * Creative Problem Solving.

Computer Science, Math, or Engineering fundamentals. * Proficiency or ability to quickly learn JavaScript, APIs, SQL/NoSQL, and New Technologies. * High Energy / Attitude. * Creative Problem Solving.

... full development lifecycle and cutting-edge GIS solutions. This team supports Defense and Intel ... software engineering experience * Professional experience developing backend services using Python ...

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Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Software Development Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$27.2K

$118.8K

$214.1K

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

As of Jun 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level software development engineer in Washington is $118,767.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,600.00 and $135,900.00 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 Washington? The most popular types of Software Development Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Software Development Engineer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Software Development Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Entry Level Software Development Engineer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Entry Level Software Development Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Software Development Engineer job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 97% Full Time, and 2% Part Time. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,767 per year, or $57.1 per hour.
Software Dev Engineer II, IDEAS

Software Dev Engineer II, IDEAS

Amazon

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 6,863 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

Amazon Web Services has been the global leader in cloud computing since 2006, providing a robust platform that powers hundreds of thousands of businesses in over 190 countries.
Developers all over the world rely on our storage, compute, and virtualized services. The Sales,Marketing and Global Services Operations - IDEAS team's success depends on delivering trusted, extensible, and high-quality intelligence that empowers our go-to-market (GTM) teams and enhances customer engagement at scale. The IDEAS team builds and operates the foundational customer intelligence that powers AWS Sales field.
We're looking for a Software Development Engineer to design and deliver solutions that combine distributed big data technologies and agentic AI development

We're building solutions to achieve amazing feats with data, to enable us to arm our field teams with the actionable intelligence needed to engage and serve every possible AWS customer in the world, to the fullest.
Key job responsibilities
Design, develop, and maintain scalable data ingestion solutions to solve complex and ambiguous data challenges for large-scale datasets
Build highly available, secure, distributed systems in microservices, container, and distributed cluster-compute architectures with comprehensive data validation frameworks
Develop serverless applications using AWS Lambda, S3, CloudWatch, and Glue services while implementing infrastructure as code through AWS CDK for automated deployment and monitoring
Apply Machine Learning to solve challenging data problems at scale
Work with AWS technologies such as Glue, EMR, S3, DynamoDB, Redshift, ElasticSearch, Lambda, SQS, SNS, API Gateway and more
Apply software development best practices in terms of quality and security
Utilize object-oriented software design to build scalable, maintainable systems
Contribute to planning, design, implementation, testing, operations, and process improvement as a member of a Scrum team
Design data systems optimized for machine learning workflows, including feature stores, model training pipelines, and real-time inference capabilities
Partner with applied scientists and ML engineers to build robust data foundations for RAG systems, recommendation engines, and predictive models
Play an instrumental role in defining system architecture, own and implement specific components, and help shape the overall user experience for a data-focused product
About the team
About AWS
Diverse Experiences
AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn't followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don't let it stop you from applying.
Why AWS?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform

We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating - that's why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it's in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship & Career Growth
We're continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth's Best Employer

That's why you'll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there's nothing we can't achieve in the cloud.
AWS Sales, Marketing, and Global Services (SMGS) is responsible for driving revenue, adoption, and growth from the largest and fastest growing small- and mid-market accounts to enterprise-level customers including public sector

The AWS Global Support team interacts with leading companies and believes that world-class support is critical to customer success. AWS Support also partners with a global list of customers that are building mission-critical applications on top of AWS services.


What Amazon employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Amazon logo

About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate and computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US