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Government Software Engineering Jobs in Washington, DC

AMERICAN SYSTEMS is an employee-owned federal government contractor supporting national priority ... Engineering & Analysis, and Training. Position Summary We're looking for an experienced Product ...

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Government Software Engineering information

See Washington, DC salary details

$71.7K

$166.5K

$231.9K

How much do government software engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for government software engineering in Washington, DC is $166,458.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,400.00 and $195,200.00 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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Government Software Engineering jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Government Software Engineering jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various Government Software Engineering job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 90% Full Time, and 5% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $166,999 per year, or $80.3 per hour.

Software Engineer Level 1 - 3 TS/SCI/FS Poly ONLY

Altamira Technologies Corp.

Annapolis Junction, MD

$140K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Software Engineer Levels 1 - 3 - TS/SCI/FS Poly clearance only
Altamira Technologies has a long and successful history of providing innovative solutions throughout the U.S. National Security community. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Altamira serves the defense, intelligence, and homeland security communities worldwide by focusing on creating innovative solutions leveraging common standards in architecture, data, and security. Altamira believes that our people and company culture differentiate us from other companies.
Position Description: We are seeking Software Engineer levels 1-3. The Software Engineer develops, maintains, and enhances complex and diverse software systems (e.g., processing-intensive analytics, novel algorithm development, manipulation of extremely large data sets, real-time systems, and business management information systems) based upon documented requirements. Works individually or as part of a team. Reviews and tests software components for adherence to the design requirements and documents test results. Resolves software problem reports. Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development environment. Provides specific input to the software components of system design to include hardware/software tradeoffs, software reuse, use of Commercial Off-the-shelf (COTS)/Government Off the shelf (GOTS) in place of new development, and requirements analysis and synthesis from system level to individual software components.
Locations: Annapolis Junction / Ft. Meade MD
Role and Responsibiliies

Program experience in; C, C++, Java, Perl, or Python.
TS/SCI/Full Scope Poly clearance only
Provide/author documentation, participate in design, code, and software readiness reviews as prescribed by the Government's software development procedures and processes.
Develops, maintains, and enhances complex and diverse software systems
Reviews and tests software components for adherence to the design requirements and documents test results.
Provide/author and participate in technical presentations on assigned projects.

Required Skills:

Requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., computer science, information systems, and network engineering) from an accredited college or university and eight (8) years of relevant programming experience in the field (e.g., computer science, information systems and network engineering).
A master's degree in a relevant discipline may be substituted for two (2) years of experience, reducing the requirement to six (6) years of relevant experience. In lieu of a Bachelor's Degree, an additional four (4) years of relevant programming experience in the field may be substituted for a total of 12 years

The anticipated salary range for this position is $140,000 to $230,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including, but not limited to, the scope of the position, relevant experience, education, certifications, internal equity, customer contractual requirements, security clearance requirements, and other legitimate business considerations.


Employment Type: Full Time