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Government Software Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

K2 Space

Ground Software Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$123K - $150K/yr

Rowe Price - and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government ... The Role As a Software Engineer on our Ground Software team, you are responsible for creating the ...

Microsoft

Software Engineer II

Redmond, WA · On-site

$133K - $219K/yr

As a Software Engineer II, you will work across the full stack, contributing to client applications ... Apply secure engineering practices and contribute to privacy, compliance, government cloud, and ...

SpaceX

Software Engineer (Starlink)

Redmond, WA · On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

SOFTWARE ENGINEER (STARLINK) As a Software Engineer on the Starlink Enterprise Product team you ... S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S ...

Microsoft

Senior Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$160K - $261K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to improve the performance, scalability, and architecture ... Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required ...

Starfish Space

Embedded Software Engineer

Tukwila, WA · On-site

$100K - $180K/yr

... software engineer who can help us build core software technologies that will be used across a ... Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms ...

SpaceX

Software Engineer (Starshield)

Redmond, WA · On-site

SOFTWARE ENGINEER (STARSHIELD) Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch ... While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government ...

Microsoft

Software Engineer II - CTJ - Poly

Redmond, WA · On-site

S. Government Top Secret Clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) based ... Software Engineering IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $102,100 ...

SpaceX

Software Engineer (Starshield)

Redmond, WA · On-site

SOFTWARE ENGINEER (STARSHIELD) Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch ... While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government ...

Microsoft

Senior Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$160K - $261K/yr

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required ... Experience with software engineering fundamentals, including coding, debugging, testing ...

Microsoft

Sr. Software Engineer - CTJ - Poly

Redmond, WA · On-site

$119K - $234K/yr

S. Government Top Secret Clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) based ... Software Engineers, Program Managers, Security Researchers, and Data Scientists Software ...

Microsoft

Software Engineer II

Redmond, WA · On-site

$133K - $219K/yr

As a Software Engineer on our team, you will get an amazing opportunity to help design and ... Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required ...

Kymeta

Senior Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$140K - $190K/yr

Kymeta solutions serve government, military, maritime, transport, and public safety clients ... Software Engineer with strong experience in embedded systems development and real-time software ...

Microsoft

Software Engineer II

Redmond, WA · On-site

$133K - $219K/yr

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required ... Software Engineering IC3 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $102,100 ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsGovernment Software Engineer JobsGovernment Software Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

Government Software Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$72.3K

$168K

$234K

How much do government software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for government software engineer in Seattle, WA is $167,980.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $136,600.00 and $197,000.00 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 are popular job titles related to Government Software Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Government Software Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Government Software Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Government Software Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Government Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Government Software Engineer job openings:

Government Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Government Software Engineer job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 80% In-person, 10% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $167,980 per year, or $80.8 per hour.

Ground Software Engineer

K2 Space

Seattle, WA • On-site

$123K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown, unlocking performance levels previously out of reach across every orbit. Backed by over $1 billion in total funding from leading investors including Altimeter Capital, ICONIQ, Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, and T. Rowe Price - and with over $1 billion in signed contracts across commercial and US government customers, we're mass-producing the highest-power satellite platforms ever built for missions from LEO to deep space.
The rise of heavy-lift launch vehicles is shifting the industry from an era of mass constraint to one of mass abundance, and we believe this new era demands a fundamentally different class of spacecraft. Engineered to survive the harshest radiation environments and to fully capitalize on today's and tomorrow's massive rockets, K2 satellites deliver unmatched capability at constellation scale and across multiple orbits.
With multiple launches in 2027 and plans to scale to 100 satellites a year, we're Building Bigger - helping develop the solar system and build toward a Kardashev Type II (K2) civilization. If you are a motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and you're excited about contributing to the success of a high-growth Series D-funded company, we'd love for you to apply.
The Role
As a Software Engineer on our Ground Software team, you are responsible for creating the software that is used to build, test, and fly our satellites and customer payloads. You will build upon the mission software platform used to fly K2's Gravitas satellite, developing new capabilities and automation as we scale to support multiple constellations. You will collaborate closely with internal Mission Operations and Flight Software teams to define and implement our overall mission architecture, and you will work with external customers to scope and deliver software that meets their payload needs.
You will have the opportunity to work in exciting, interdisciplinary domains like: satellite command and control, constellation operations, mission automation, radio communications, astrodynamics, and more.
**This role requires in person presence at our headquarters in Torrance, CA.**
Responsibilities
  • Design and implement software that facilitates the build, test, and operations of K2's vehicles and our customers' payloads
  • Collaborate with Mission Operators and Engineers across the company to identify and scope software solutions to complex technical and business problems
  • Facilitate software design reviews, architecture discussions, and code reviews to align stakeholders on technical direction
  • Work across our stack (Rust backend, TypeScript/Vue frontend) to support development, test, and operations milestones
  • Support internal and external customers in an on-call capacity as your software is used to drive ground test activities and on-orbit spacecraft operations
  • Mentor other engineers to build a strong team culture and software engineering practices

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, math, or a STEM discipline or 3+ years of professional experience in software engineering

Nice-to-Have
  • Experience working on space missions and/or the satellite ground segment
  • Experience with Rust or another statically-typed backend programming language (Go, C++, Java, C#, TypeScript)
  • Experience with JavaScript/TypeScript and modern frontend development tooling (Vue, React, Svelte)
  • Experience with version control, continuous integration, build, deployment, monitoring
  • Experience developing HTTP or gRPC APIs
  • Experience with SQL databases (PostgreSQL or similar)
  • Experience designing and implementing event-driven architectures
  • Experience developing reliable, scalable systems
  • Experience with Docker and/or Kubernetes
  • Experience with WebSockets and/or Server-Sent-Events (SSE)
  • Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices and relevant certifications/standards (SOC2, FedRAMP)
  • Familiarity with networking protocols (TCP/IP, UDP, QUIC)
  • Familiarity with data streaming technologies such as NATS, Pulsar, or similar

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Base salary range for this role is $123,000 - $150,000 + equity in the company
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision/ coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks

If you don't meet 100% of the preferred skills and experience, we encourage you to still apply! Building a spacecraft unlike any other requires a team unlike any other and non-traditional career twists and turns are encouraged!
If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know.
Export Compliance
As defined in the ITAR, "U.S. Persons" include U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected individuals (e.g., refugees/asylees, American Samoans). Please consult with a knowledgeable advisor if you are unsure whether you are a "U.S. Person."
The person hired for this role will have access to information and items controlled by U.S. export control regulations, including the export control regulations outlined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR). The person hired for this role must therefore either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.
Equal Opportunity
K2 Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with K2 Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
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About K2 Space

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2022

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