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Open Source Software Developer Jobs in Boston, MA

Sick AG

Software Engineer II

Canton, MA · On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

The Software Engineer II plays a key role in designing, developing, testing, and supporting ... Ability to evaluate, integrate, and optimize third-party or open-source software components.

SICK AG

Software Engineer II

Canton, MA · On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

The Software Engineer II plays a key role in designing, developing, testing, and supporting ... Ability to evaluate, integrate, and optimize third-party or open-source software components.

Sick AG

Software Engineer II

Canton, MA · On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

Software Engineer II Mission of the Role This position will be located at our Canton, MA or ... Ability to evaluate, integrate, and optimize third-party or open-source software components.

STR

Senior Software Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$134K - $184K/yr

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 ...

Red Hat

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$174K - $287K/yr

As leading developers, maintainers of the vLLM project, and inventors of state-of-the-art ... About Red Hat Red Hat ( is the world's leading provider of enterprise open source ( software ...

STR

Senior Software Engineer

Woburn, MA · On-site

$134K - $184K/yr

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 ...

STR

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 ...

Redhat

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$174K - $287K/yr

As leading developers, maintainers of the vLLM project, and inventors of state-of-the-art ... About Red Hat Red Hat is the world's leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions ...

CloudHealth Technologies

Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

Software Engineer Are you a passionate software engineer with an entrepreneurial spirit? We are ... Contribute to relevant open source projects Qualifications: * Undergraduate in Computer Science * 0 ...

STR

Senior Software Engineer

Woburn, MA

$134K - $184K/yr

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 ...

STR

Lead Software Engineer

Woburn, MA

$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 ...

Roberts Recruiting

Principal SW Engineer

Cambridge, MA

$147K - $197K/yr

Are you a talented and experienced systems engineer eager to play a central role in the design and ... Familiarity with the development and integration of open source software components * Proficiency ...

Redhat

Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$189K - $312K/yr

As leading developers, maintainers of the vLLM project, and inventors of state-of-the-art ... About Red Hat Red Hat is the world's leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions ...

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All JobsOpen Source Software Developer JobsOpen Source Software Developer Jobs in Boston, MA

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:
Open Source Software Developer jobs near you

Software Engineer II

Sick AG

Canton, MA • On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Software Engineer II
Mission of the Role
This position will be located at our Canton, MA office.
The Software Engineer II plays a key role in designing, developing, testing, and supporting software solutions across the full lifecycle of SICK products and platforms. Operating with increased independence, this role drives technical execution across development projects, enhances software performance and reliability, and contributes to the advancement of SICK's software ecosystem. The Software Engineer II collaborates closely with global, cross-functional teams and supports strategic technology initiatives - delivering high-quality, scalable, and secure solutions aligned with SICK's technology vision.
Key Responsibilities
Software Development
  • Independently execute software design, development, and implementation tasks following SICK's development processes, including compliance with design control, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
  • Lead enhancements, maintenance, and release activities across the software lifecycle, including major and minor versions, patches, updates, and long-term support.
  • Develop prototypes, proofs of concept, and MVPs to validate new ideas and de-risk project uncertainties.
  • Collaborate with internal and external development partners to meet technical, cost, and schedule expectations.
  • Provide technical input during requirements refinement and architectural discussions.

Testing & Quality Assurance
  • Plan, design, and execute comprehensive test procedures to validate functionality, performance, reliability, and security.
  • Conduct and sometimes lead code reviews, ensuring adherence to best practices, coding guidelines, and secure development standards.
  • Troubleshoot, debug, and resolve complex software issues, proposing short-term fixes and long-term systemic improvements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with Product Management, Engineering, and Quality teams to translate technical requirements into actionable development tasks.
  • Contribute to backlog refinement, estimation, and risk identification during project planning.
  • Communicate technical decisions, project updates, and risk mitigation strategies clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Documentation & Reporting
  • Create, maintain, and review technical documentation including design specifications, test plans, change logs, and release notes.
  • Support software change management and release documentation processes.

Continuous Improvement & Learning
  • Proactively maintain expertise in SICK platforms, technologies, and development tools.
  • Evaluate and introduce new technologies, frameworks, and development practices that support innovation and efficiency.
  • Mentor Software Engineer I team members through informal coaching, code reviews, and knowledge sharing.
  • Contribute to process and product improvement initiatives.

Machine Vision, Algorithms & Emerging Technologies
  • Design, implement, and optimize classical and machine-learning-based algorithms for detection, inspection, automation, classification, tracking, and prediction using SICK 2D/3D cameras and programmable devices.
  • Employ advanced techniques-such as deep learning-to enhance system accuracy, robustness, and scalability.
  • Partner with internal teams to evaluate machine vision use cases and develop high-value solutions.
  • Maintain knowledge of modern hardware technologies, vision software frameworks, and AI/ML toolchains.
  • Perform full engineering responsibilities including estimation, requirement analysis, technical risk assessment, and solution design.

Perform other duties as may be assigned or required by management.
Key Qualifications
  • Experience: 2+ years of software development experience.
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or equivalent experience is required.
  • Position-specific Qualifications:
    • Strong problem-solving, debugging, algorithmic thinking, and system design abilities.
    • Solid understanding of data structures, design patterns, and modern software engineering principles.
    • Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or Lua, with the ability to work across multiple languages as needed.
    • Demonstrated experience with multithreading, multiprocessing, inter-process communication, networking, or distributed systems.
    • Experience with version control (Git), code review workflows, CI/CD, and issue-tracking systems.
    • Familiarity with web fundamentals (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, REST/JSON, HTTP) and ability to develop simple UI tools or prototypes.
    • Ability to evaluate, integrate, and optimize third-party or open-source software components.
    • Experience monitoring, optimizing, and improving system performance and stability.
    • Experience designing or deploying machine vision / computer vision systems, including image processing or AI/ML-based methods.
    • Exposure to training or operationalizing deep learning models.
    • Comfortable using AI-assisted development tools such as GitHub Copilot or Claude Code.
    • Strong communication skills with the ability to share technical information effectively across teams.
  • Language: Professional written and spoken fluency in English required.
  • Schedule: Generally Monday to Friday, full time; be on-call on some weekends (if required).
  • General Working Conditions: Be able to usually work in an office environment; flexible (hybrid) work arrangements available.
  • Travel: Be able to travel up to 5% of the time, including internationally; must have a valid passport.
  • Work Status: Legally permitted to work in the country you are applying and willing to undergo an employment background check.

Compensation
The base salary is one part of our Total Rewards package and is determined within a range. The starting base salary range for this position is listed below; the actual starting salary will be based on a variety of factors including experience, skill set, education, performance, licenses/certifications, business needs and other job-related factors, as permitted by law.
  • Starting Base Annual Salary Range: $79,020 - $119,515
  • Bonus Eligibility: This role is not eligible for an annual bonus.

Information at a Glance

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