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Open Source Software Developer Jobs in Wilmington, DE

Bentley Systems

Principal Software Engineer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$136K - $182K/yr

With a thriving open-source community and millions of downloads, we are at the forefront of ... Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience. What We Offer: * A ...

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Open Source Software Developer information

See Wilmington, DE salary details

$46.6K

$108.5K

$161.1K

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

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for open source software developer in Wilmington, DE is $108,531.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,300.00 and $126,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an open source software developer?

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.

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 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.

Open Source Software Developer jobs near you

Software Developer / Engineer - Philadelphia, PA (Locals Only)

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

Apetan Consulting llc
IT Services • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Apetan Consulting llcexternal

$80 - $150/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

Software Developer / Engineer
Location: Philadelphia, PA 
Work Schedule: Hybrid 3 days on site, 2 remote


Position Overview

We are seeking a Software Developer / Engineer to help design and implement an on-premises Large Language Model (LLM) platform with Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) capabilities. This role will focus on deploying open-source AI models, integrating vector databases, and building secure, enterprise-grade AI solutions in a private environment.

This is an excellent opportunity for a developer with hands-on experience in modern AI technologies who enjoys building scalable, high-performance systems.

Responsibilities

  • Deploy and optimize open-source large language models (LLMs) such as Meta Llama 3 and Mistral/Mixtral in on-premises or private environments.
  • Develop Python-based applications for LLM inference, prompt engineering, and model integration.
  • Optimize CPU-based model inference through quantization and performance tuning.
  • Design and implement Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) (RAG) pipelines.
  • Configure and manage open-source vector databases such as Qdrant, Chroma, Milvus, or pgvector.
  • Generate and manage embeddings while implementing metadata filtering strategies.
  • Support enterprise security requirements, including air-gapped deployments, access controls, data privacy, and audit logging.
  • Produce technical documentation, deployment guidance, and knowledge transfer materials for internal teams.
  • Build a working prototype integrating an LLM, vector database, and RAG architecture.

Required Qualifications

  • Professional experience deploying open-source LLMs (e.g., Meta Llama 3, Mistral/Mixtral) in on-premises or private environments.
  • Strong Python development experience.
  • Hands-on experience with LLM inference, prompt engineering, and AI application integration.
  • Experience optimizing CPU-based inference through model quantization and performance tuning.
  • Experience with vector databases such as Qdrant, Chroma, Milvus, or pgvector.
  • Proven experience implementing Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions.
  • Understanding of enterprise security, data privacy, air-gapped environments, access controls, and audit logging.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with LangChain or LlamaIndex.
  • Familiarity with Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Experience with inference frameworks such as vLLM, llama.cpp, or Hugging Face Transformers.
  • Experience with Rust, Go, or C++.
  • Previous experience working in enterprise or regulated environments.

Deliverables

  • Reference architecture and deployment guidance.
  • Working prototype integrating an LLM, vector database, and RAG solution.
  • Technical documentation and knowledge transfer to internal teams.