Freelance Senior Software Engineer Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Overview

Join a team where innovation meets mission. Our AI, cloud, cyber, and modernization solutions save agencies thousands of hours, safeguard national security, and strengthen health and humanitarian missions worldwide. With 1,700+ team members, 1,500+ AI/data experts, and 100+ prime contracts, we deliver at scale and with purpose.

We've been recognized as a Top Workplace by the Washington Post for six straight years and named to the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies 13 of the past 14 years. Credence is a welcoming home for those looking to grow and contribute to positive change. We encourage all employees to expand beyond their boundaries, dive into important world-changing Federal challenges.

Position Summary

Credence is seeking an experienced Senior Software Engineer to design, develop, integrate, and modernize enterprise software solutions. This role focuses on application development, software architecture, cloud-native technologies, AI-enabled automation, systems integration, and advanced analytical capabilities that improve mission readiness, logistics, sustainment, and supply chain operations.

The successful candidate will build scalable software applications, APIs, enterprise services, automation tools, and AI-enabled capabilities that transform complex operational and logistics information into mission-focused software solutions. This position offers the opportunity to work across software engineering, cloud technologies, DevSecOps, automation, and enterprise analytics while supporting one of the Department of Defense's most critical aviation programs.

The ideal candidate is a senior-level software engineer with strong programming experience, modern application development expertise, and a passion for building innovative solutions that drive operational effectiveness and mission success.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the duties listed below

Software Engineering & Architecture

• Design, develop, test, and deploy scalable, secure enterprise software, APIs, and microservices.
• Design secure, cloud-native software architectures, and contribute to architecture decisions across the stack.
• Support deployment through containers and CI/CD, and modernize legacy systems through automation and cloud-enabled technologies.
• Apply engineering best practices - source control, automated testing, code review, documentation.
• Ensure compliance with secure software development standards and Government cybersecurity requirements
• Support monitoring, troubleshooting, and operational sustainment of production systems.

AI & Intelligent Automation

• Build and integrate AI-enabled capabilities - including generative AI, LLMs, RAG, and agentic workflows - into production systems, with secure integration into approved AI platforms.
• Apply AI-assisted development tools to improve engineering velocity and code quality.
• Evaluate emerging AI and automation technologies and drive their practical adoption.

Impact & Collaboration

• Translate complex operational requirements into production-ready software, working directly with analysts and stakeholders.
• Build forecasting, modeling, and decision-support tools that turn data into operational insight.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, and help shape engineering standards across the team.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship with an active Secret Security Clearance.
• Master's or Doctorate degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical field and 10 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 5 years supporting DoD; OR
• Bachelor's degree in a related technical field and 12 years of relevant professional experience, including at least 5 years supporting DoD; OR
• 15 years of directly related professional experience with, including at least 8 years supporting DoD.
• Significant professional experience in software engineering, application development, systems engineering, automation, or related technical disciplines.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more modern programming languages such as Python, Java, C#, or JavaScript/TypeScript, with recent hands-on experience developing production software.
• Experience designing, developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining enterprise software applications and services.
• Experience developing APIs, distributed systems, microservices, or service-oriented architectures.
• Experience with software architecture, object-oriented design, and software development lifecycle best practices.
• Experience working in Agile software development environments, including Scrum or Kanban.
• Experience developing and deploying applications in cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, or GCP, including containerized or cloud-native applications.
• Experience integrating enterprise systems and developing mission-focused software solutions.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, technical writing, and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting F-35, Air Force, Navy, Joint Program Office (JPO), or other major DoD acquisition programs.
• Experience with generative AI, large language models (LLMs), retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), prompt engineering, or AI-enabled application development.
• Familiarity with agentic AI frameworks, orchestration platforms, and intelligent automation solutions.
• Experience developing mission applications that incorporate analytics, forecasting, optimization, or decision-support capabilities.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense environments and Government mission requirements.
• Active Top Secret clearance.

 Why This Role Matters

• Mission-Critical Impact - Build software solutions that directly improve mission readiness, logistics, sustainment, and operational effectiveness.
• Modern Engineering Environment - Work with cloud technologies, DevSecOps, AI-enabled capabilities, automation frameworks, and modern software architectures.
• Innovate with Purpose - Develop mission-focused applications that help transform data into actionable insights and operational outcomes.
• Collaborative Technical Culture - Partner with engineers, AI specialists, mission experts, and Government stakeholders to solve complex challenges.
• Professional Growth - Expand your expertise across software engineering, cloud, AI, automation, and defense mission support while contributing to one of the world's most advanced aviation programs.

This position requires regular onsite work in Dayton, OH and is not eligible for remote work.

Salary Range: $140,000 - $170,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience, education, certifications, skills, and overall qualifications.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Training & Development
• Wellness Resources