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Entry Level Software Development Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

... work with you. Entry Level Software Engineer Responsible for full life cycle application ... Development involves both front-end GUI applications and back-end application integration with ...

Senior Software Development Engineer

Bowie, MD · On-site

$118K - $155K/yr

The Senior Software Development Engineer L4 is expected to successfully work through complex tasks independently, understand the intricacies of the software development life cycle, and display strong ...

SDET Developer

Silver Spring, MD · On-site

$51.75 - $66.75/hr

Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is to develop and execute software test plans in order to identify software problems and their causes. Strong java development skills JavaScript ...

Senior Software Development Engineer

Bowie, MD · On-site

$119K - $157K/yr

The Senior Software Development Engineer will work on modernizing a critical payer application, utilizing technologies such as .NET, Angular, and AWS, while contributing to both feature development ...

SDET

Ellicott City, MD · On-site

$49.75 - $64.25/hr

SDET Location Ellicott City, MD Job Code 2586 # of Openings 1

SDET

Ellicott City, MD · On-site

$49.75 - $64.25/hr

SDET Location Ellicott City, MD Job Code 2597 # of Openings 1

SDET

Ellicott City, MD · On-site

$49.75 - $64.25/hr

SDET Location Ellicott City, MD Job Code 2584 # of Openings 1

SDET

Ellicott City, MD · On-site

$49.75 - $64.25/hr

SDET Location Ellicott City, MD Job Code 2589 # of Openings 1

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Showing results 1-20

Entry Level Software Development Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$27.2K

$118.8K

$214.1K

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

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level software development engineer in Washington, DC 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 job categories do people searching Entry Level Software Development Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Software Development Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Software Development Engineer

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Booz Allen Hamilton rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 57 rated business consultants


Job description

Software Development Engineer

The Opportunity:

We'relooking for a Software Development Engineer to join our chief technology office engineering team-a dynamic group of innovators passionate about redefining the market through cutting-edge technology. You'll focus on building Booz Allen's Software-Defined Everything (SDE) platform to enable Physical AI, Edge, TrustedEnvironments,and other applications across mission domains to autonomously discover, provision, simulate, and deploy these systems.You'll be a self-starter, visionary, "10x-type" engineer who thrives in high-impact environments, and be eager to build and operate always-on, secure, and scalable software services.

As a seasoned software engineer at Booz Allen,you'llleveragethe latest architectural approaches, open-source frameworks, and advanced tools to deliver comprehensive end-to-end solutions. You'll impart your skills to the team, as theyutilizeindustry-leading tools and techniques to create impactful software designs. Your role involves shaping a new product from the ground up with genuine autonomy and ownership. You will design, develop, deploy, andoperatehigh-availability software products with robust monitoring, alerting, and fault-tolerant capabilities, integrating agentic AI at their core. You will also implement best practices for CI/CD deployments, telemetry, canaries, and automated testing to ensure the quality and reliability of our systems.

What You'll Do:

  • Design and develop software products that meet user needs and market demands.
  • Apply engineering principles to construct andmaintainefficient, bug-free software systems.
  • Collaborate with designers, product managers, and other engineers to bring products from concept to launch.
  • Architect secure, scalable, and high-performance back-end applications.
  • Work on both front-end and back-end development using languages such as Go, Node.js, Java, or C#.
  • Integrate back-end services with relational and NoSQL databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and DynamoDB.
  • Write clean, efficient, and testable code following best practices for performance, maintainability, and security.
  • Integrate generative AI tools to accelerate development and enhance product design.
  • Communicate design decisions and technical trade-offs clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Contribute to a culture of innovation and technical excellence by keeping abreast of industry trends.
  • Embed security checks and compliance requirements into the development process to meet relevant standards.

Join us. The world can't wait.

You Have:

  • 1+ years of experience with software development in a professional environment
  • Experience with programming in a software programming language
  • Knowledge of distributed architectures using microservices or serverless in AWS, Google, or Azure Cloud
  • Knowledge of SQL and NoSQL databases
  • Knowledge of designing and implementing RESTful APIs and microservices
  • Knowledge of CI/CD pipeline setup and maintenance
  • Knowledge of authentication, authorization, and security best practices
  • Knowledge of using generative AI tools to accelerate development, automate coding tasks, and review AI-generated code
  • Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance
  • Bachelor's degree

Nice If You Have:

  • Experience writing source code for new applications or generating and enhancing code samples for existing applications
  • Experience acquiring client requirements and resolving workflow problems through automation optimization
  • Ability to work with automated testing tools to perform testing and maintenance
  • TS/SCI clearance
  • Master's degree
  • AWS Certifications such as Cloud Practitioner, Developer Associate, or Solutions Architect Associate Certification

Clearance:

Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Compensation

At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen's benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.

Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $53,000.00 to $108,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen's total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Identity Statement

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.

Work Model
Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration, whether it occurs in person or virtually. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings.

  • Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.

  • Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility.

  • Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.


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About Booz Allen Hamilton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Booz Allen Hamilton is a leading provider of management and technology consulting services to the US government in defense, intelligence, and civil markets. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, the firm also serves major corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. Founded in 1914 by Edwin G. Booz, the company has a long-standing tradition of helping clients achieve success by delivering a wide range of consulting services that include strategic planning, human capital and learning, communication, systems development, and others. The company's mission is to empower people to change the world, and it has a reputation for maintaining the highest standards of integrity and-excellence.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1914