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Open Source Software Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Redhat

Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$178K - $195K/yr

Create open-source software in the machine learning and data science pipelines domain ... Contribute intellectual property towards software engineering and machine learning engineering ...

New York University

Research Engineer

New York, NY · On-site

$85K - $150K/yr

The Department of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) at NYU Tandon School of Engineering is looking for a full time Research Engineer to work on open source software in the Secure Systems ...

TriOptus LLC

Sr Software Engineer

Lake Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$116K - $153K/yr

Job Title: Sr. Software Developer Location: St. Louis, MO Relevant Experience Needed: 8+ years ... Open Source Software like Apache, Kafka, Hadoop Good to have: * Systems Knowledge (worked on ...

OAR Corporation

Software Developer VI

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$158K - $184K/yr

Additionally, OAR serves as the primary steward for the RTEMS open-source software and community ... engineering, and systems architecture expertise. OAR applies its expertise to solve the most ...

Jane Street

Software Engineer

New York, NY

We also believe in the value of open source software, using it in our daily work and releasing over a million lines of our own code as open source. About You * Top-notch programming skills * Deep ...

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Open Source Software Developer information

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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 the United States is $111,845.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $90,000.00 and $130,000.00 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 are hiring for Open Source Software Developer jobs? Cities with the most Open Source Software Developer job openings:
What states have the most Open Source Software Developer jobs? States with the most job openings for Open Source Software Developer jobs include:
Open Source Software Developer jobs near you
AP108 HEASARC Senior Scientific Software Developer

AP108 HEASARC Senior Scientific Software Developer

ADNET Systems, Inc.

Greenbelt, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

AP108 HEASARC Senior Scientific Software Developer
The High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive (HEASARC) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) seeks a senior scientific software developer with significant experience in developing, maintaining, and managing open source software. Experience with developing or maintaining C and C++ code would be a plus. We maintain a large code base of analysis software called HEASoft written over several decades and using multiple languages from a variety of contributors and developers. We need to modernize the development and management practices we use. As we open source parts of this code, we expect contributions also from the community. We are furthermore developing a plan for modernizing the software itself and will need an experienced developer to be involved in the design as well as implementation of this future code base.
Required Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining large, long-lived code bases in a collaborative or open source environment
  • Proficiency in at least one systems-level language (C, C++, Fortran) and at least one scripting language (Python, Perl, or shell)
  • Experience with modern software development practices: version control with git, code review workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and issue tracking
  • Experience managing open source projects, including contribution workflows, licensing considerations, and community-facing documentation
  • Ability to work across a multi-language, multi-contributor code base and improve consistency without requiring full rewrites
  • Strong written communication skills for technical documentation and contributor-facing guidance
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Astronomy, Computer Science or a relevant physical science
  • US Citizenship or Permanent Residency (LPR) required, with US residency for the past 3 consecutive years.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Tier 1 Investigation through NASA.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience modernizing or refactoring legacy scientific software
  • Familiarity with HEASARC tools or high-energy astrophysics data formats (HEASoft, FTOOLS, XSPEC, FITS)
  • Experience with software build systems (CMake, Autotools, or similar) across multiple platforms
  • Background in scientific computing or research software engineering
  • Experience designing software architecture for long-term maintainability and extensibility
  • Master of Science degree or higher in Physics, Astronomy, Computer Science or a relevant physical science

Team ADNET brings over 30+ years of experience to information systems and professional services for the federal government. With a history of expertise in software development, computer network design, IT security, mission operations support, and educational outreach, Team ADNET is deeply embedded in the Space and Earth Science at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD.
ADNET Systems, Inc. is working with Goddard Space Flight Center to fulfill NASA's vision for space exploration, and working with the Science and Exploration Directorate to fulfill its many missions.
ADNET Systems, Inc. is an employee-centric company, committed to providing premier benefits that support our employees and their families. With affordable medical and dental plans coupled with leading disability and life insurance options, ADNET offers our employees the benefits most sought after by today's professional candidate. Furthermore, our benefits package features the extras that distinguish us from other small businesses, ensuring our high employee retention that our customers appreciate.
Some features of our compensation plans and environment perks include:
  • Annual Leave/Sick Leave
  • Military and Family Emergency Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Performance Bonuses
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
  • Direct Deposit Payroll
  • 401K Plan with Company Matching
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Swag bags

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