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Open Source Software Developer Jobs in Boston, MA

... Software Engineer. In this high-impact role, you will be a lead technical voice in the development ... You will bridge the gap between upstream open-source innovation and the operational excellence ...

We seek a skilled software engineer to join the Red Hat OpenStack NFV Architecture team. In this ... Contribute to open-source NFV projects, particularly within the OpenStack ecosystem. * Participate ...

Senior Software Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$130K - $172K/yr

... open-source software • Deep understanding of networking principles, including the 5-layer OSI ... Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field, with at least 5 years of relevant experience ...

Senior Software Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$130K - $172K/yr

... open-source software • Deep understanding of networking principles, including the 5-layer OSI ... Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field, with at least 5 years of relevant experience ...

Senior Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$178K - $225K/yr

Analyze software features developed or bugs fixed in software and coordinate with other programmers ... Must have one (1) year of experience with Open-Source Project Development. #LI-DNI The salary range ...

... open-source software • Deep understanding of networking principles, including the 5-layer OSI ... Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field, with at least 7 years of relevant experience ...

... open-source software • Deep understanding of networking principles, including the 5-layer OSI ... Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field, with at least 7 years of relevant experience ...

Senior Manager, AI Inference

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$210K - $358K/yr

... power of open-source LLMs and vLLM to every enterprise. Red Hat Inference engineering team ... What you will bring * 10+ years of significant hands-on software development and system design ...

Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$181K - $299K/yr

Collaborate with other engineers and architects to create and review software design proposals on ... We're a leader in open source because of our open and inclusive environment. We hire creative ...

Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$110K - $177K/yr

... software development lifecycle, driving continuous improvement and innovation in engineering ... We're a leader in open source because of our open and inclusive environment. We hire creative ...

STR is hiring experienced Senior Software Engineers to join our multidisciplinary cyber/networking ... Significant hands-on experience developing software with GNU/Linux toolchains using open-source ...

Lead Software Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$157K - $224K/yr

STR is hiring experienced Lead Software Engineers to join our multidisciplinary cyber/networking ... Significant hands-on experience developing software with GNU/Linux toolchains using open-source ...

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Showing results 1-20

Open Source Software Developer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$52.1K

$121.5K

$180.3K

How much do open source software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for open source software developer in Boston, MA is $121,509.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,800.00 and $141,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Open Source Software Developers?

Open Source Software Developers are programmers who create, maintain, or contribute to software projects whose source code is made freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. They often collaborate with a global community of developers and may work on a voluntary basis or be employed by organizations that support open source initiatives. Their work involves writing code, fixing bugs, reviewing contributions, and helping manage project documentation. Open source developers play a key role in advancing technology by making software accessible and fostering innovation through community collaboration.

What is the difference between Open Source Software Developer vs Software Engineer?

AspectOpen Source Software DeveloperSoftware Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires programming skills, familiarity with open source licenses, and sometimes certifications like Linux Foundation certificationsRequires a degree in computer science or related field; certifications like Microsoft Certified or AWS certifications are common
Work EnvironmentOften collaborates in open source communities, contributes to public repositories, and works remotelyWorks in corporate or enterprise settings, often in teams within organizations
Industry UsageUsed across tech, non-profit, and open source communities; focuses on public projectsEmployed in various industries including tech, finance, healthcare, and more for product development

While both roles involve software development, Open Source Software Developers focus on collaborative, community-driven projects often in open environments, whereas Software Engineers typically work within organizations on proprietary or internal systems. The roles overlap in skills but differ in scope and work setting.

How do Open Source Software Developers typically collaborate with contributors from around the world?

Open Source Software Developers often work with a global community of contributors using online collaboration tools such as GitHub, mailing lists, and chat platforms like Slack or Discord. Communication is primarily asynchronous, requiring clear documentation and code review practices to ensure smooth project progress. Developers regularly participate in discussions, review pull requests, and help onboard new contributors, making strong written communication skills essential. This collaborative environment fosters learning and innovation, but also requires flexibility and patience to manage different time zones and cultural perspectives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Open Source Software Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Open Source Software Developer, you need strong programming skills, knowledge of version control systems like Git, and familiarity with open source licensing, typically supported by a relevant degree or coding experience. Proficiency with collaborative development platforms such as GitHub or GitLab and understanding of continuous integration tools are commonly required. Excellent communication, self-motivation, and the ability to work effectively in distributed teams set outstanding contributors apart. These skills are crucial for efficiently building, maintaining, and contributing to widely used open source projects in a collaborative, global environment.
What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Open Source Software Developer jobs? Cities near Boston, MA with the most Open Source Software Developer job openings:

Sr Principal Software Engineer (Azure)

Redhat

Boston, MA • On-site, Remote

$193K - $318K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

About the Job

The Azure Red Hat OpenShift (ARO) Engineering team is looking for a Senior Principal Software Engineer. In this high-impact role, you will be a lead technical voice in the development of ARO Hosted Control Planes (HCP), defining the infrastructure and lifecycle management patterns that power mission-critical workloads for global enterprises. You will bridge the gap between upstream open-source innovation and the operational excellence required to run a first-party Azure service, guiding the project from initial concept through to the delivery of a highly available, resilient global offering.

What you will do

  • Contribute to the evolution of Azure Red Hat OpenShift, focusing on scalability, high availability, and seamless lifecycle management within the Azure ecosystem.

  • Drive the strategy for AI integration within the platform while championing the use of AI-assisted development tools to improve team velocity and code quality.

  • Act as a contributor to upstream projects, ensuring Red Hat's interests and customer needs are represented in the broader CNCF community.

  • Collaborate across organizational boundaries with Microsoft Azure engineering teams to co-develop integrated cloud-native solutions.

  • Collaborate deeply with Product Management to advocate for the customer, reconciling customer demands with system constraints to define high-impact product specifications.

  • Mentor senior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.

  • Work with Red Hat's Global Customer Support team and partner support teams on resolving customer issues.

  • Influence the long-term product roadmap by identifying customer needs and emerging industry trends, translating them into architectural requirements, design, and code.

  • Publicize the team's work through blogs, web postings, or conference talks.

What you will bring

  • 12+ years of software development experience in Linux environments, with mastery of Golang.

  • Deep expertise in Azure cloud architecture and services (Compute, Storage, Networking).

  • Proven success leading large-scale distributed systems from inception to production operations.

  • Internal-level knowledge of Kubernetes (API machinery, Operators, or Networking stack).

  • Mastery of Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, ARM/Bicep) and GitOps workflows.

  • Expert understanding of Hybrid Cloud networking and security (VNETs, Private Link, Encryption).

  • Experience integrating AI/LLM frameworks into software engineering workflows or product features.

  • Exceptional troubleshooting skills for complex, multi-layered distributed environments.

The following are considered a plus

  • Active maintainer status or significant contributions to relevant CNCF Open Source projects (e.g., Kubernetes, Cluster API, or KubeVirt).

  • Deep experience with Red Hat OpenShift and the Operator SDK/Controller-runtime.

  • Familiarity with Hosted Control Plane architectures (e.g., HyperShift) and high-density multi-tenant environments.

  • Experience with Azure-specific hybrid technologies like Azure Arc or Private Link at scale.

  • Background in SRE or Production Engineering for a global, 24/7 SaaS or managed service.

#LI-EK1

The salary range for this position is $193,390.00 - $318,980.00. Actual offer will be based on your qualifications.

Pay Transparency

Red Hat determines compensation based on several factors including but not limited to job location, experience, applicable skills and training, external market value, and internal pay equity. Annual salary is one component of Red Hat's compensation package. This position may also be eligible for bonus, commission, and/or equity. For positions with Remote-US locations, the actual salary range for the position may differ based on location but will be commensurate with job duties and relevant work experience.

About Red Hat

Red Hat is the world's leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver high-performing Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Spread across 40+ countries, our associates work flexibly across work environments, from in-office, to office-flex, to fully remote, depending on the requirements of their role. Red Hatters are encouraged to bring their best ideas, no matter their title or tenure. We're a leader in open source because of our open and inclusive environment. We hire creative, passionate people ready to contribute their ideas, help solve complex problems, and make an impact.

Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Flexible Spending Account - healthcare and dependent care
Health Savings Account - high deductible medical plan
Retirement 401(k) with employer match
Paid time off and holidays
Paid parental leave plans for all new parents
Leave benefits including disability, paid family medical leave, and paid military leave
Additional benefits including employee stock purchase plan, family planning reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, transportation expense account, employee assistance program, and more!

Note: These benefits are only applicable to full time, permanent associates at Red Hat located in the United States.

Inclusion at Red Hat
Red Hat's culture is built on the open source principles of transparency, collaboration, and inclusion, where the best ideas can come from anywhere and anyone. When this is realized, it empowers people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to come together to share ideas, challenge the status quo, and drive innovation. Our aspiration is that everyone experiences this culture with equal opportunity and access, and that all voices are not only heard but also celebrated. We hope you will join our celebration, and we welcome and encourage applicants from all the beautiful dimensions that compose our global village.

Equal Opportunity Policy (EEO)
Red Hat is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We review applications for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.


Red Hat does not seek or accept unsolicited resumes or CVs from recruitment agencies. We are not responsible for, and will not pay, any fees, commissions, or any other payment related to unsolicited resumes or CVs except as required in a written contract between Red Hat and the recruitment agency or party requesting payment of a fee.Red Hat supports individuals with disabilities and provides reasonable accommodations to job applicants. If you need assistance completing our online job application, email application-assistance@redhat.com. General inquiries, such as those regarding the status of a job application, will not receive a reply.