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Entry Level Software Engineer Jobs in State College, PA

Clayton Homes

Cost Analyst 1

Lewistown, PA · On-site

From entry-level to more experienced positions, we're actively recruiting individuals who are ... Monitor the Engineering Change Requests (ECR) and respond to all necessary ECR's Immediately. This ...

Clayton Homes

Cost Analyst 1

Lewistown, PA · On-site

From entry-level to more experienced positions, we're actively recruiting individuals who are ... Monitor the Engineering Change Requests (ECR) and respond to all necessary ECR's Immediately. This ...

All JobsSoftware Engineer JobsEntry Level Software Engineer JobsEntry Level Software Engineer Jobs in State College, PA

Entry Level Software Engineer information

See State College, PA salary details

$23.5K

$102.6K

$184.8K

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

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level software engineer in State College, PA is $102,556.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,600.00 and $117,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectEntry Level Software EngineerSoftware Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field; some internshipsBachelor's in CS or related; coding experience
Work EnvironmentTeam-based, collaborative projects, entry-level tasksProject-focused, coding, debugging, and implementation
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, startups, IT departmentsSoftware firms, tech startups, enterprise IT
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Software Engineers and Software Developers often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. The main difference lies in their roles: engineers may focus more on designing systems and architecture, while developers typically concentrate on coding and implementation. Both roles are essential in tech industries and often overlap in job functions, but understanding these distinctions helps job seekers target the right positions.

What types of projects do entry level software engineers typically work on, and how do they collaborate with other team members?

Entry level software engineers often start by working on smaller features, bug fixes, or assisting with testing and documentation within larger projects. They usually collaborate closely with senior engineers, product managers, and QA teams through code reviews, daily stand-ups, and pair programming sessions. This structure helps new engineers learn best practices, understand the codebase, and gradually take on more complex assignments. Effective communication and a willingness to learn are key to success in these collaborative environments.

What does an entry level software engineer do?

An entry level software engineer is responsible for assisting in the design, development, testing, and maintenance of software applications. They typically work under the guidance of more experienced engineers and may write code, debug programs, and participate in code reviews. The role often involves learning company-specific tools and workflows, collaborating with team members, and continuously improving technical skills. Entry level software engineers are expected to adapt quickly, communicate effectively, and contribute to the team's overall goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Software Engineer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages (such as Java, Python, or C++), computer science fundamentals, and often a relevant bachelor’s degree. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, development frameworks, and basic software development tools is typically expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, eagerness to learn, and effective collaboration are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for building reliable software, adapting to evolving technologies, and contributing productively to team projects.

What does an entry level software engineer do?

An Entry-Level Software Engineer, also called a Junior Engineer, works with a team of mid-level and senior engineers to develop, test, and maintain software applications and programs. The job duties of Junior Software Engineers typically include relatively simple routine tasks, such as debugging, testing, and code documentation. These tasks hone a Junior Engineer’s skills and familiarize them with the company’s code base. As Software Engineers gain more years of experience, they work on more complex development projects.

What is the entry-level position for a software engineer?

The entry-level position for a software engineer is typically called a Software Engineer I or Junior Software Engineer. It involves basic coding, debugging, and learning company tools and processes, often requiring familiarity with programming languages like Java, Python, or C++. This role provides foundational experience and may require a bachelor's degree in computer science or related fields.

How to get a job as an entry level software engineer with no experience?

To secure an entry level software engineer position with no experience, focus on building a strong foundation in programming languages like Python or Java, create a portfolio of personal projects, and gain familiarity with tools such as Git and Linux. Internships, coding bootcamps, and certifications can also improve your chances by demonstrating practical skills to employers.

Is 25 too late to become an entry level software engineer?

Entry level software engineering roles are open to individuals of various ages, including those starting in their mid-20s. Many employers value skills, relevant training, and problem-solving ability over age, and career changers often successfully transition into software engineering at this stage by learning programming languages and gaining practical experience. Age is generally not a barrier to entering the field at an entry level.
More about Entry Level Software Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA? The most popular types of Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA? For Entry Level Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA are:
What cities near State College, PA are hiring for Entry Level Software Engineer jobs? Cities near State College, PA with the most Entry Level Software Engineer job openings:
Entry Level Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Software Engineer job openings in State College, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,556 per year, or $49.3 per hour.

DevSecOps Research Computing Software Engineer

Penn State University

University Park, PA • On-site

$68K - $113K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago

Penn State University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

229th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are seeking a motivated, self-starting Research Computing Software Engineer to join our Cloud Technology Advancement Department in the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State to perform DevSecOps functions. This position would work out of our State College, PA, location.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
Responsibilities of this position include:
  • Design and implement secure, automated infrastructure solutions for high-performance computing environments thru Agile software development
  • The entry-level DevSecOps individual will work as part of a team to perform and review pull requests, unit tests, and occasional documentation as needed
  • Work with and maintain our continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines to allow for frequent, trouble-free deployments of infrastructure code
  • Configure and optimize various compute resources and networks including bare metal and virtualized/container environments
  • Provide demonstrations of your work to the internal team and occasionally external customers
  • Coordinate with the Agile team to identify risks, issues, requirements, and design solutions for project-level activity on a daily basis

Requirements of this position include:
  • Knowledge of DevSecOps tools/practices
  • Linux-based infrastructure / system administration knowledge
  • Infrastructure/automation via scripting languages like Ansible or Puppet
  • Interest in Cloud-Native Computing Foundation tools like Kubernetes
  • Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipeline development skills
  • Proven troubleshooting skills with the ability to spot issues before they become problems

Preferred experience includes:
  • RHEL 8.x or newer
  • Bare metal workstation, server, data center hardware and software
  • Configuration management via Git, Bitbucket, or GitLab
  • Container/orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes, Rancher, or other scaled Kubernetes environments
  • Well-organized, independent and ready to work

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Scientific Computing Software Specialist (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Scientific Computing Software Specialist (ARL) - Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's DegreeNo prior relevant work experience required; previous relevant work experience accepted in lieu of education.Required Certifications:None
ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL):Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $68,604.00 - $113,100.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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