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Phd Software Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Flight Software Engineer III

Washington, DC · On-site

$139.85 - $192.17/hr

Flight Software Engineer III Full Time Professional Washington, DC, US 30+ days ago Requisition ID ... PhD; Master's degree with 5 years of experience; Bachelor's degree with 10 years of experience;

The Autonomy Software Engineer will work within the SAAM group on autonomy development and mission ... PhD, 5 years with MS, or 7 years with BS • Ability to obtain and maintain a secret security ...

As an Autonomy Software Engineer, you will work within the SAAM group to develop robust solutions ... PhD, 5 years with MS, or 7 years with BS • Ability to obtain and maintain a secret security ...

Showing results 21-40

Phd Software Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$71.9K

$167.1K

$232.7K

How much do phd software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for phd software engineer in Washington is $167,085.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $135,900.00 and $195,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a PhD software engineer?

A PhD Software Engineer is a professional who has completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree specializing in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, and works in designing, developing, and optimizing software systems. They often engage in advanced research, develop innovative algorithms, and solve complex technical problems. Their expertise is typically utilized in roles that require deep technical knowledge, research skills, and the ability to push the boundaries of current technology. PhD Software Engineers are commonly found in academia, research institutions, and leading technology companies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD software engineer?

A PhD Software Engineer requires advanced programming expertise, strong analytical and research skills, and typically a doctorate in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with specialized programming languages, version control systems like Git, and experience with research-oriented software tools are common technical requirements. Exceptional problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help bridge the gap between research and practical application. These abilities are crucial for driving innovation, translating complex theories into scalable solutions, and contributing to cutting-edge technology projects.

What does a PhD software engineer do?

As a PhD Software Engineer, you are often entrusted with tackling complex problems and leading research-driven projects that require advanced analytical and technical skills. Your daily work may involve designing novel algorithms, conducting experiments, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams such as data scientists and product managers. Additionally, you might mentor junior engineers and help shape the technical direction of your team. This role leverages your research background to bridge the gap between academic innovation and practical software solutions.
What job categories do people searching Phd Software Engineer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Phd Software Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Phd Software Engineer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Phd Software Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Phd Software Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 17% Internship, 66% Full Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 82% In-person, and 18% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $167,085 per year, or $80.3 per hour.

Flight Software Engineer III

Vantage Systems

Washington, DC • On-site

$139K - $192K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description


Security Clearance:

SECRET position. Personnel must possess a final DoD granted SECRET security clearance.


Experience and Degree: Mid: PhD; Master’s degree with 5 years of experience; Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of experience; Associate degree with 15 years of experience, or High School diploma/GED with 20 years of experience


Experience:

  • Shall provide engineering support of the flight and ground system design and development team to assure system integrity, standards are applied where practical, new and emerging technologies are exploited to the required extent, and the system is developed with the goal of reuse of applicable software components in both ground and space systems to reduce development time and cost.
  • Shall design and development of all software related to spacecraft bus functions, instrument control, and onboard data processing.
  • Shall develop software for both run-time external commanding, controlling, and configuring; as well as run-time delivery of status, event logs, state of health and telemetry.
  • Shall develop safety-critical applications capable of detecting software and hardware fault and responding to faults in a prescribed manner through isolation or recovery.
  • Shall develop software control of flight systems leveraging real-time sensing and actuating interfaces
  • Shall develop hardware and application specific boot code for establishing baseline flight services and loading OS and application code into execution memory.
  • Shall evaluate and apply advanced mathematical methods and algorithms in software solutions which meet the control and performance requirements of flight systems.
  • Shall develop, maintain, and enhance complex and diverse software systems based upon documented requirements.
  • Shall provide specific input to the software components of a system design to include hardware/software trade-offs, software reuse, use of COTS/GOTS in place of new development, and requirements analysis and synthesis from system level to individual software components.
  • Shall design, implement, and integrate software applications or performs software engineering tasks.
  • Shall utilize software engineering and design methodologies appropriate to the development, integration, and production environment.
  • Shall ensure efficient delivery of software engineering capabilities using industry standards and repeatable processes.
  • Shall mitigates risks, control costs and schedule variance, and effectively manages large scale, integrated software projects.
  • Shall review and tests software components for adherence to the design requirements and documents test results.
  • Shall develop, maintain, and enhance complex and diverse software systems based upon documented requirements.
  • Shall provide specific input to the software components of a system design to include hardware/software trade-offs, software reuse, use of COTS/GOTS in place of new development, and requirements analysis and synthesis from system level to individual software components.
  • Shall design, implement, and integrate software applications or performs software engineering tasks.
  • Shall utilize software engineering and design methodologies appropriate to the development, integration, and production environment.
  • Shall ensure efficient delivery of software engineering capabilities using industry standards and repeatable processes.
  • Shall mitigates risks, control costs and schedule variance, and effectively manages large scale, integrated software projects.
  • Shall review and tests software components for adherence to the design requirements and documents test results.