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Government Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SAIC

Software Engineer

North Charleston, SC

Serve as the full-stack engineer for a government software system, overseeing backend services, frontend applications, and supporting infrastructure. * Design, develop, and maintain APIs and services ...

SAIC

Software Engineer

North Charleston, SC · On-site

Serve as the full-stack engineer for a government software system, overseeing backend services, frontend applications, and supporting infrastructure. * Design, develop, and maintain APIs and services ...

SAIC

Software Engineer

North Charleston, SC · On-site

Serve as the full-stack engineer for a government software system, overseeing backend services, frontend applications, and supporting infrastructure. * Design, develop, and maintain APIs and services ...

Accela

Sr. Software Engineer- Frontend (APS)

A BOUT THE ROLE We are seeking a Senior Frontend Software Engineer with deep expertise in Autodesk ... While government agencies struggle to do more with less, our mission has never been more critical.

L3HHCM20

Sr. Assoc, Software Engineering

Nashville, TN · On-site

$118K - $156K/yr

Nashville, TN Schedule: 9/80-Every other Friday off The Software Engineer, Specialist Level is an ... or government software development experience * 1 years experience C# and Visual Studio required ...

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Government Software Engineer information

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$63.5K

$147.5K

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How much do government software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for government software engineer in the United States is $147,524.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a government software engineer?

Government Software Engineers are professionals who design, develop, test, and maintain software systems used by government agencies. They work on projects that support public services, national security, data management, and various digital platforms for citizens and government operations. These engineers often address unique security, compliance, and scalability requirements due to the sensitive nature of government data. Their work is crucial in ensuring the efficient and secure functioning of government technology infrastructure.

What is the difference between Government Software Engineer vs Civil Software Developer?

AspectGovernment Software EngineerCivil Software Developer
CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science or related, security clearances often requiredBachelor's in Civil Engineering, Computer Science, or related
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, secure facilities, regulated environmentsConstruction sites, infrastructure projects, urban planning
Employer & IndustryFederal, state, or local government agenciesConstruction firms, civil engineering companies
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Government Software Engineers focus on developing software for government agencies, often requiring security clearances and working within regulated environments. Civil Software Developers work on infrastructure and civil projects, emphasizing software for construction and urban planning. While both roles involve software development, their industries, work settings, and credentials differ significantly.

What are some common challenges faced by government software engineers when working on public sector projects?

Government software engineers often encounter unique challenges such as navigating strict security protocols, complying with regulatory standards, and working with legacy systems that may require modernization. These projects typically involve extensive documentation and collaboration with cross-functional teams, including policy makers and end users, to ensure solutions meet public needs. Additionally, timelines can be influenced by procurement processes and budget constraints, making flexibility and strong communication skills essential for success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a government software engineer?

To thrive as a Government Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills, knowledge of secure software development practices, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with government-approved frameworks, security clearance processes, and tools like Git, Java, Python, and cloud platforms is often required. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving, and the ability to work collaboratively while adhering to strict regulations are vital soft skills. These capabilities ensure that software solutions are reliable, secure, and compliant with government standards, supporting critical public sector missions.
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What cities are hiring for Government Software Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Government Software Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Government Software Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Government Software Engineer jobs include:

Government Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Government Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,524 per year, or $70.9 per hour.

Software Engineer

SAIC

North Charleston, SC

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

SAIC rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 79 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

78th of 223 rated it services

Job description

Job ID: 2614867

Location: North Charleston, SC, US

Date Posted: 2026-07-27

Category: Software

Subcategory: SW Engineer

Schedule: Full-Time

Shift: Day Job

Travel: Yes - 10% of the time

Minimum Clearance Required: Interim_Secret

Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: Secret

Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE


Description

SAIC is seeking a Software Engineer to own full stack development and technical maturation of a government software prototype as it transitions from research/prototype status to a Program of Record (PoR) for our customer site in North Charleston, SC.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Serve as the full-stack engineer for a government software system, overseeing backend services, frontend applications, and supporting infrastructure.
  • Design, develop, and maintain APIs and services using Go and Python, while driving the technical roadmap to transition a research prototype into a production-ready system for a Program of Record.
  • Refactor, re-architect, and harden prototype code to meet security, scalability, maintainability, and supportability standards required for fielded DoD/government systems.
  • Collaborate with cybersecurity/ISSO personnel to implement RMF-compliant technical controls, support ATO accreditation, and contribute to required security documentation/artifacts.
  • Enforce secure software development practices, including secure coding standards, vulnerability management, container hardening, secrets management, logging/auditing, and secure CI/CD pipelines.
  • Integrate and advocate for AI-assisted development tools to enhance code quality, security posture, and software delivery efficiency.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

  • Bachelors and five (5) years or more work experience; (4) four years of additional work experience accepted in lieu of degree.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in Go, Python.
  • Active, hands-on use of AI development tools (e.g., Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or similar AI coding assistants) as part of daily engineering work.
  • Practical experience with cybersecurity-conscious software engineering — secure coding practices, vulnerability remediation, container/infrastructure hardening, or similar. 
  • Experience taking prototype/research-grade code and maturing it into a production, supportable system.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Direct experience supporting an ATO package (SSP development, control implementation, POA&M management, eMASS).
  • Experience with containerization/orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes) and CI/CD pipeline security.
  • Familiarity with DoD software acquisition processes and prototype-to-Program-of-Record transitions.
  • Experience with cloud environments (AWS GovCloud or similar) in an accredited/compliance-driven context.
  • Prior experience in a DoD, IC, or other federal contracting environment.
  • Proficiency with React and Rust.
  • Familiarity with the general lifecycle of moving a system through security accreditation (RMF, ATO, or equivalent commercial/compliance frameworks) — prior direct ATO experience is a strong plus but not mandatory. 

Required Security Clearance:

  • Must be a US Citizen with an active Interim Secret clearance to start and the ability to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance.

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