Hourly Graduate Software Developer Jobs in Virginia

Your Impact:
Are you interested in using your skills to help shape the Cyber, Security, & Intel space? If so, look no further. Amentum is seeking an Expert Software Engineer to join our team of passionate individuals in Springfield, VA. In this role you will support challenging, mission-critical projects that make a direct impact on the Nation's security and intelligence mission.
The Geospatial Enterprise Open Data Store (GEODS) contract provides integration, design, development, and sustainment for data services in support of the Federal Government.
This Expert Software Developer will serve as the primary technical SME for AI capabilities supporting the GEODS Data Catalog, focusing on automated metadata enrichment, semantic similarity search, vector indexing, entity extraction, and large-scale inference across heterogeneous geospatial datasets.
Developers on GEODS routinely design and implement new custom features that solve unique problems, optimize legacy capabilities, and deliver enterprise-level data services. In this role, you will directly shape the evolution of the GEODS Catalog ecosystem and drive integration of advanced AI/ML solutions to enhance discovery, classification, and accessibility of mission-critical data.
Responsibilities:
As a GEODS Expert Software Engineer, you will serve as a subject matter expert and mentor to other developers, advancing the vision and execution of the GEODS program by completing the following tasks:
• Lead the design and development of AI/ML features supporting metadata enrichment, entity extraction, content classification, and semantic match
• Develop and integrate vector search, embeddings, RAG pipelines, and ML inference components into GEODS catalog services
• Contribute to all phases of the software development life cycle
• Write well-designed, testable, efficient, and maintainable code
• Ensure designs follow specifications approved by customer
• Contribute to planning and prioritization of work for future Program Increments
• Recommend changes to improve established application and organizational processes
• Prepare and produce releases of software components
• Support formal testing and resolution of defects
• Provide technical support and consultation for application and infrastructure defects and questions
• Provide SME-level guidance to junior/mid-level developers, including technical reviews and mentoring
• Collaborate with Data Engineers, Architects, and Product Management on catalog roadmap items
Requirements:
• At least 6 years demonstrated experience with software development using SAFe or similar Agile methodologies, to include working with Scrum Masters and/or Product Owners to decompose high level requirements into actionable user stories
• At least 6 years of demonstrated experience coding in Python or another language
• At least 6 years of demonstrated experience with DevSecOps and CI/CD, specifically utilizing GitLab or similar Git repository
• At least 6 years of demonstrated experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) such as Terraform
• At least 6 years of demonstrated experience with Container and Orchestration technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift)
• Strong experience with AWS, including but not limited to EC2, DynamoDB, ECS, SQS/SNS, IAM, Lambda, and CDK
• Strong experience with AI/ML, including at least one of:
o Embedding models (sentence-transformers, Titan, SageMaker JumpStart models)
o RAG pipelines
o Vector stores (OpenSearch, Elasticsearch, Pinecone-like services)
o Metadata extraction and NLP pipelines
o Batch/stream interface
• Experience designing scalable APIs and backend services
• Ability to clearly communicate, verbally and in writing, complex technical concepts and challenges/obstacles in a clear and direct manner
Clearance Required:
• Active TS/SCI with the ability to obtain and maintain a poly
Minimum Years of Education:
• Master's degree plus 4 years experience, Bachelor's degree plus 6 years experience, Associates degree plus 12 years experience, or a minimum of 15 years experience, in relevant field
Minimum Years of Experience:
• Master's degree plus 4 years experience, Bachelor's degree plus 6 years experience, Associates degree plus 12 years experience, or a minimum of 15 years experience, in relevant field
Preferred:
• Cloud certification(s), preferably from AWS, OCI or Google Cloud
• Familiarity with AI/ML, specifically Amazon SageMaker
• Experience integrating AI into enterprise catalog systems
• React or other front-end experience supporting AI-driven UI enhancements
• Previous database experience, specifically Apache Solr
• Experience with Atlassian suite, specifically Jira and Confluence
• Previous NGA experience
#javelin
Compensation Details:
218,000
The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities, education, experience, skills, internal equity, market data, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and relevant laws.
Benefits Overview:
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• Educational reimbursement
• Parental leave
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Tax-saving options
• Disability and life insurance
• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type, location, and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act (SCA), or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.
Original Posting:
02/23/2026 - Until Filled
Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days, with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.
Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.