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Government Software Engineering Jobs in Virginia

ECS

Junior Software Engineer

Fairfax, VA · On-site

This is an entry-level role offering meaningful hands-on exposure to full-lifecycle, mission-critical government software engineering within a high-tempo DevSecOps delivery environment where code ...

SAIC

Senior Software Engineer

Hampton, VA · Remote

$118K - $156K/yr

The ideal candidate serves as a member of the Engineering and Sustainment software development team. Provides technical and design aspects and aids in the innovation and creation of government ...

CACI International

Software Engineering

Chantilly, VA

$82K - $172K/yr

Software Engineering Job Category: Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to ... Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work ...

SAIC

Senior Software Engineer

Hampton, VA · Remote

$121K - $160K/yr

The ideal candidate serves as a member of the Engineering and Sustainment software development team. Provides technical and design aspects and aids in the innovation and creation of government ...

L3Harris

Specialist, Software Engineering

Ashburn, VA

Specialist, Software Engineering Job Code: 36741 Job Location: Ashburn, VA (Onsite) Job Schedule: 9 ... In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government ...

New

SAIC

Senior Software Engineer

Hampton, VA · On-site

$118K - $156K/yr

The ideal candidate serves as a member of the Engineering and Sustainment software development team. Provides technical and design aspects and aids in the innovation and creation of government ...

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Government Software Engineering information

See Virginia salary details

$63K

$146.3K

$203.7K

How much do government software engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for government software engineering in Virginia is $146,258.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,000.00 and $171,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Are Government Jobs in Software Engineering?

Government software engineering jobs involve working at the local, state, or federal levels to provide assistance to an area or government agency. In this role, you may set up a network or system, develop customized software, or use testing techniques to see whether or not existing software and hardware are performing as expected. Some government software engineering jobs are directly with the government, while contractors who specialize in specific areas fill other roles. Many government software engineering jobs are geographically centralized. In other words, the more government offices there are in an area, the more software engineering jobs you can expect to find.

What are some unique challenges faced by software engineers working in government agencies?

Software engineers in government agencies often work within strict regulatory and security frameworks, which can mean longer approval cycles and more documentation compared to private sector roles. Collaboration across multiple departments is common, as systems must integrate with legacy infrastructure and comply with public sector standards. While these constraints can be challenging, they also offer opportunities to contribute to projects that have a significant impact on public services and society. Engineers typically work in multidisciplinary teams and gain exposure to large-scale, mission-critical applications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Government Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Government Software Engineer, you typically need a solid background in computer science, proficiency in programming languages like Java or Python, and a relevant degree or security clearance. Familiarity with government-specific systems, secure coding practices, and tools such as Git, CI/CD pipelines, and project management software is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and attention to detail help you navigate complex regulations and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are vital for building secure, reliable software solutions that support government operations and protect sensitive data.

What is government software engineering?

Government software engineering involves designing, developing, and maintaining software systems for government agencies and public sector organizations. These professionals work on projects that support public services, such as healthcare, transportation, security, and administration. Their work often requires adherence to strict security and privacy standards, as well as compliance with government regulations. Government software engineers may collaborate with other IT professionals and stakeholders to create reliable, efficient, and user-friendly solutions that serve citizens and government employees. This field offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on society through technology.
More about Government Software Engineering jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Government Software Engineering jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Government Software Engineering jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Government Software Engineering jobs in Virginia? For Government Software Engineering jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Government Software Engineering jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Government Software Engineering jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Government Software Engineering jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Government Software Engineering job openings:
Government Software Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Government Software Engineering job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $146,258 per year, or $70.3 per hour.
Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

Software Engineering Institute

Arlington, VA • On-site

$142K - $186K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Who we are
SEI helps advance software engineering principles and practices and serves as a national resource in software engineering, computer security, and process improvement. The SEI works closely with defense and government organizations, industry, and academia to continually improve software-intensive systems. Its core purposes are to help organizations improve software engineering capabilities, advance cybersecurity methods and technologies, and bring the discipline of software engineering to AI systems.
About the role
Are you an engineer who enjoys a challenge? Are you excited about working for a Federally Funded Research and Development Center focusing on areas critical to national security? Do you want to join a collaborative team that develops and uses best-in-class tools to enable end-to-end software development? If so, we want you for our team, where you'll be part of an exciting and impactful culture of collaboration that delivers timely and high-quality results.
We are looking for a creative engineer to design and develop software prototypes and research methods for software resilience. We are seeking a technology-focused team member who has experience with software engineering, RTOS scheduling, and memory management. You'll develop tools, techniques, and processes to solve some of the most difficult software problems that our government faces.
What you'll do
  • Design and analyze embedded software tools and capabilities, including software exception handlers, inter-process communication mechanisms, and software fault monitors.
  • Use static, dynamic, and complexity analysis software tools to identify software weaknesses and areas that need additional design and refactoring.
  • Ensure deterministic performance by architecting and developing software using state-of-the-art techniques.
  • Lead a team of developers while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, taking ownership of high-visibility tasks and deliverables for customers.

Who you are
  • Candidates must possess an active TS/SCI DoW security clearance issued by the U.S. government. A counterintelligence polygraph is required or must be obtained upon request. Applicants must also meet additional customer-specific security requirements.
  • You have a BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related disciple with ten (10) years of experience; OR MS in the same fields with eight (8) years of experience; OR a PhD in the same fields with five (5) years of experience.
  • You have extensive experience with ground and space systems, including software acquisition, architecture, systems/software engineering, testing, and operations, with a deep understanding of the complexities involved in acquiring large, legacy-dependent systems.
  • You have demonstrated experience collaborating with senior customers, program managers, internal staff, and SEI leadership to assess and address customer needs effectively.
  • You've worked in a collaborative team environment as a software developer, software engineer, or verification engineer.
  • You understand the Department of War Systems Engineering lifecycle.
  • You're proficient in one or more of the following: C and C++, Python, MATLAB, C#, or JAVA.
  • You've worked with modern RTOSes, such as VxWorks and Integrity, and developed and analyzed embedded software.
  • You've developed embedded software and performance tests and interpreted the results.
  • You are willing to work 100% of your week onsite at either SEI or a customer facility.
  • You're willing to travel (25%) outside your office location to other SEI offices, sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings.

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 has a significant impact on software in government.
  • Work with cutting edge technologies and experts to solve tough problems for the government and the nation.
  • Get an 8% monthly contribution for your retirement plan without having to contribute to it yourself.
  • Get tuition benefits for you and your dependent children.
  • Get access to university resources including mindfulness programs, a monthly transit benefit on WMATA, free onsite gym at our Arlington facility, etc.
  • Enjoy paid parental and military leave.
  • Qualify for relocation assistance and so much more.

Location
Arlington, VA
Job Function
Software/Applications Development/Engineering
Position Type
Staff - Regular
Full time/Part time
Full time
Pay Basis
SalaryMore 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

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