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Government Software Engineer Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

... for government agencies and industrial suppliers. By revealing true capacity, exposing real ... As a Software Engineer at Air, you show a clear passion for quality and love to solve client ...

... for government agencies and industrial suppliers. By revealing true capacity, exposing real ... As a Software Engineer at Air, you show a clear passion for quality and love to solve client ...

... for government agencies and industrial suppliers. By revealing true capacity, exposing real ... As a Software Engineer at Air, you show a clear passion for quality and love to solve client ...

... for government agencies and industrial suppliers. By revealing true capacity, exposing real ... As the Software Engineering Lead at Air, you will be essential to crafting and implementing the ...

... for government agencies and industrial suppliers. By revealing true capacity, exposing real ... As the Software Engineering Lead at Air, you will be essential to crafting and implementing the ...

... for government agencies and industrial suppliers. By revealing true capacity, exposing real ... As the Software Engineering Lead at Air, you will be essential to crafting and implementing the ...

What You'll Be Doing As a Software Engineer, you will be collaborating with an interdisciplinary ... Experience in defense-related government contracting What You'll Get Out Of It * UPMC health ...

What You'll Be Doing As a Software Engineer, you will be collaborating with an interdisciplinary ... Experience in defense-related government contracting What You'll Get Out Of It * UPMC health ...

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Showing results 1-20

Government Software Engineer information

See Pittsburgh, PA salary details

$61.6K

$143.2K

$199.5K

How much do government software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for government software engineer in Pittsburgh, PA is $143,218.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,500.00 and $168,000.00 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 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 Pittsburgh, PA look for?

The top searched job categories for Government Software Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA are:

What cities near Pittsburgh, PA are hiring for Government Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Pittsburgh, PA with the most Government Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Government Software Engineer job openings in Pittsburgh, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 89% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,456 per year, or $66.1 per hour.

Software Engineer with Security Clearance

Software Engineering Institute

Pittsburgh, PA โ€ข On-site

Other

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

What We Do The Software Engineering Institute (SEI) advances the state of the art in software engineering and cybersecurity, serving as a national resource for the advancement of secure, reliable, and high-performing software systems. As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) at Carnegie Mellon University, SEI partners with academia, the U.S. Department of War, other government agencies, and industry to improve the development, acquisition, and sustainment of software-intensive systems. Our mission is to help organizations acquire and operate software-reliant systems that are secure, reliable, sustainable, and mission-effective delivered on time and within budget. If you are creative, curious, and motivated to solve complex technical challenges in support of national defense, we encourage you to apply. About the Role We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to support U.S. Department of War customers in acquiring and sustaining a mission-critical, software-based mission planning and readiness applications essential to national security operations. In this role, you will provide software development support across the full software acquisition lifecycle, including architecture analysis, development oversight, risk reduction, integration, and long-term sustainment planning. You will work closely with Program Executive Offices (PEOs), Program Management Offices (PMOs), sustainment organizations, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure delivered capabilities meet operational, maintainability, and long-term supportability requirements. The ideal candidate combines deep, hands-on expertise in C++ and browser supported languages. Additionally, development experience supporting Army, Air Force, Navy and Space Force acquisition programs, legacy-dependent systems, and operational environments is key. You will integrate with technical teams, evaluate architectural tradeoffs, develop prototypes, analyze existing source code, and support customer engagements that inform acquisition and sustainment decisions. Join us in advancing the engineering of mission-critical systems that protect and support those who serve. What You'll Do * Support DoW software acquisition and sustainment efforts in alignment with DoD 5000-series guidance, including architecture analysis, engineering, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment planning
* Provide software development expertise for a DoW planning and readiness application supporting mission readiness
* Analyze lifecycle artifacts associated with two or more planning applications and propose methods to combine them into a common baseline
* Advise and develop prototype capability for government stakeholders on software design decisions, technical risks, modernization strategies, and tradeoffs associated with large, legacy-dependent systems
* Lead software development efforts from concept through deployment, with an emphasis on C++ and browser supported languages like C#, Java, and Angular.
* Demonstrate software architecture expertise by developing and maintaining design artifacts such as data-flow diagrams, sequence diagrams, interface control definitions, and quality attribute specifications to support scalable, maintainable, and resilient solutions
* Analyze existing source code, interfaces, and data flows to identify technical debt, sustainment risks, and modernization opportunities
* Build prototypes and technical demonstrations to reduce risk, inform acquisition decisions, and mature emerging capabilities
* Lead and mentor development teams, promoting disciplined engineering practices, continuous improvement, and mission focus
* Support customer engagements such as technical interchange meetings (TIMs), design reviews, and acquisition milestone activities, providing clear, defensible technical input
* Stay current on emerging technologies, software engineering best practices, and digital modernization initiatives relevant to sustainment and maintenance systems Who You Are * Ability to obtain and maintain an active Department of War (DoW) security clearance; an existing SECRET or higher clearance is preferred
* Experience leading, architecting, or developing large-scale acquisition programs
* Experience with developing mission and safety critical embedded software applications
* Experience supporting major DoW acquisition organizations
* Proven experience designing and implementing complex software architectures for mission-critical or sustainment-focused systems based on new and existing system and software requirements with varying levels of uncertainty
* Proven experience in developing new and maintaining existing software documentation artifacts with emphasis on views and models across the full Software Development Lifecycle through modern tools and approaches
* Proven experience in structured verification and validation activities in planning and execution of system and software level test activities
* Demonstrated ability to identify and balance architectural drivers, tradeoffs, extensibility, and long-term maintainability
* Experience across the full software development lifecycle, including use of static analysis tools and associated coding standards to improve quality and security
* Demonstrated success leading technical teams and engaging credibly with government and contractor stakeholders
* Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to senior government decision-makers
* Willingness to work directly with U.S. military and government customers in mission-focused environments
* Ability to travel up to 25% to SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings
* You have a BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related disciple with eight (8) years of experience; OR MS in the same fields with five (5) years of experience; OR a PhD in the same fields with two (2) years of experience Why Work Here? Our benefits philosophy encompasses three driving priorities: choice, control, and well-being. Through Carnegie Mellon University, SEI offers a wide range of competitive employee benefits, including comprehensive health insurance, tuition benefits, generous time off, and a robust retirement savings policy to name a few. * Join a world-class organization that makes a meaningful impact on government software.
* Collaborate with experts and work with cutting-edge technologies to solve challenging problems for the government and the nation.
* Receive an 8% monthly contribution to your retirement plan with no personal contribution required.
* Access tuition benefits for yourself and your dependent children.
* Take advantage of paid parental and military leave.
* Qualify for relocation assistance and many other benefits. Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Job Function
Software/Applications Development/Engineering
Position Type
Staff - Regular
Full time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis
Salary
More Information: * Please visit "Why Carnegie Mellon" to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
* Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
* Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran .
* Statement of Assurance