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Government Software Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job #218999 Chipton-Ross is seeking a Software Engineer for a contract opportunity in Santa Rosa ... Applicants responding to this position will be subject to a government security investigation and ...

As a Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman Mission Systems you will have a challenging and ... Government Secret clearance Required to work on site full-time Preferred Qualifications: Current ...

Government contract proposal with the Department of Navy Duration: 5-year government contract ... Software Engineers research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized ...

Job #218968 Chipton-Ross is seeking a Software Engineer for a contract opportunity in Fort Worth ... Applicants responding to this position will be subject to a government security investigation and ...

Job #217035 Chipton-Ross is seeking a contract Software Engineer for an onsite contract opening in ... Applicants responding to this position will be subject to a government security investigation and ...

Software Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

The experienced software engineer will design, develop, and perform analysis utilizing GIS tools ... government customers. Motivation and drive to implement robust software systems with intuitive user ...

SHARE Fortune 500 clients and government agencies trust eGain AI knowledge solution to improve ... We will not waste your time. eGain's Software Engineer positions are open for the right individual ...

Software Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

The experienced software engineer will design, develop, and perform analysis utilizing GIS tools ... government customers. Motivation and drive to implement robust software systems with intuitive user ...

Job #219003 Chipton-Ross is seeking a Software Engineer for a contract opportunity in Palmdale, CA ... Applicants responding to this position will be subject to a government security investigation and ...

Software Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

S. government and other customers. In this role, the essential functions are: * Design, implement ... Strong programming skills in Python * Experience developing software in Linux environments

We are seeking a talented software engineer with a strong computer science background to assist in ... You will be part of a distributed development team working primarily on-site in a government lab ...

Collaborate with government stakeholders, engineers, and operators to support system architecture ... Support software lifecycle activities including requirements development, configuration management ...

We are seeking a talented software engineer with a strong computer science background to assist in ... You will be part of a distributed development team working primarily on-site in a government lab ...

Showing results 41-60

Government Software Engineer information

See California salary details

$62.7K

$145.6K

$202.8K

How much do government software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for government software engineer in California is $145,592.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,400.00 and $170,700.00 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 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.

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 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 job categories do people searching Government Software Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Government Software Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Government Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Government Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Government Software Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $145,592 per year, or $70 per hour.

$91K - $137K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 368 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available
CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No
CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret
TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription
At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.
Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. Our Engineering and Sciences (E&S) organization pushes the boundaries of innovation, redefines engineering capabilities, and drives advances in various sciences. Our team is chartered with providing the skills, innovative technologies to develop, design, produce and sustain optimized product lines across the sector while providing a decisive advantage to the warfighter. Come be a part of our mission!
We are looking for you to join our team as a Software Engineer based out of Woodland Hills, CA. As a Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman Mission Systems you will have a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be a part of our Enterprise-wide digital transformation. Through the use of Model-based Engineering and Agile practices we continue to evolve how we deliver critical national defense products and capabilities for the warfighter. Our success is grounded in our ability to embrace change, move quickly and continuously drive innovation. The successful candidate will be collaborative, open, transparent, and team-oriented with a focus on team empowerment & shared responsibility, flexibility, continuous learning, and a culture of automation.
What You'll get to Do:
In this position you will be developing, testing, and debugging software for our cutting edge Navigation systems. As a member of our world class software development team, you will have opportunities to improve and expand your capabilities in software design and code development. You will also have opportunities to perform software and system integration on state of the art hardware, learn new software development techniques such as Model Based Engineering (MBE), and work in an agile and collaborative development environment.
As a successful candidate, you will collaborate with peers across our organization and will have clearly demonstrated the strong leadership skills needed to join our top performing team. You will have a track record as an effective communicator and problem solver who is able to develop and maintain good working relationships with our internal and external customers. You will also have demonstrated a commitment to ethics and integrity, and the capability to innovate while challenging our traditional ways of doing business. You will make us even better!
Basic Qualifications for Software Engineer:
  • Bachelors degree in STEM with 2 years of software development experience; Masters in STEM with 0 years of hands on software development experience
  • Experience with programming in at least one of the following languages:
    • C
    • C++
    • Python
  • Working knowledge of software development and testing in either:
    • MATLAB
    • Simulink
  • Experience using at least one of the following software management and workflow automation tools:
    • ClearCase
    • Git
    • ClearQuest
    • Jira
  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance
  • Required to work on site full-time

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Current/Active U.S. Government Secret clearance
  • Excellent communication, analysis and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment
  • Understands code analysis tools such as Polyspace and software test tools such as LDRA and VectorCast
  • Understands Navigation Systems and INS/GPS Kalman filter design and requirements definition
  • Familiar with DOORS for software requirements management
  • Knowledge of mission and safety-critical software systems that comply with RTCA DO-178B/C or similar guidelines

Primary Level Salary Range: $91,800.00 - $137,600.00
The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.
Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.
Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939