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Professional Software Engineer Jobs in Washington

The Software Engineer will design, develop, test, integrate, and maintain scalable, highly ... Professional experience with Python software development and scripting. * Experience developing ...

Contribute to scalable, secure, and maintainable application architecture Minimum Requirements: * 3-5 years of professional software engineering experience * Payment processing, ACH, or financial ...

Software Engineer II/III

Washington, DC · On-site

$65 - $87.50/hr

... - 3+ years of professional software engineering experience. - Experience with programming concepts in professional or academic settings. - Experience applying modern software development ...

Software Engineer II/III

Washington, DC · On-site

$65 - $87.50/hr

... - 3+ years of professional software engineering experience. - Experience with programming concepts in professional or academic settings. - Experience applying modern software development ...

Software Engineer II/III

Washington, DC · On-site

$65 - $87.50/hr

... - 3+ years of professional software engineering experience. - Experience with programming concepts in professional or academic settings. - Experience applying modern software development ...

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Applied Mathematics , or a related technical field * 3+ years of professional software engineering experience * Strong experience ...

Software Engineer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

A minimum of 7 years of professional software engineering experience. * Demonstrated experience with full-stack software development. * Experience developing Python applications or tools within the ...

Minimum 5+ years of professional software development experience * Experience developing embedded or flight software in C or C++ * Experience with satellite bus or payload software development

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Professional Software Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$71.9K

$167.1K

$232.7K

How much do professional software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for professional 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 professional software engineer?

Professional software engineers are trained experts who design, develop, test, and maintain software applications or systems to solve problems or meet user needs. They use programming languages, tools, and engineering principles to create reliable and efficient software. In addition to coding, software engineers often collaborate with other team members, participate in code reviews, and follow industry best practices to ensure high-quality software delivery.

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

To thrive as a Professional Software Engineer, you need strong programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), software development frameworks, and cloud platforms is typically required, and certifications such as AWS Certified Developer or Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate can be beneficial. Excellent communication, teamwork, and adaptability are soft skills that help you collaborate effectively and navigate changing project requirements. These skills ensure you can build robust, scalable solutions while working efficiently within diverse technical teams.

What are some common challenges faced by professional software engineers when working on large-scale projects?

Professional software engineers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges such as managing complex codebases, ensuring effective communication across multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining high code quality under tight deadlines. Coordinating with other engineers, testers, and product managers can be demanding, especially when handling dependencies or integrating new features. Staying updated with evolving technologies and adhering to best practices in version control and documentation are also crucial for successful project delivery.

What is the difference between Professional Software Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectProfessional Software EngineerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field, certifications optionalSimilar educational background, certifications less common
Work EnvironmentOften in teams, involved in full project lifecycle, may work in corporate or enterprise settingsTypically focused on coding, testing, and implementation, in various settings including startups and freelance
Industry UsageWidely used in corporate, enterprise, and government sectorsCommon in startups, freelance, and smaller companies

The main difference lies in scope and responsibilities. Professional Software Engineers often have a broader role, including design, architecture, and project management, while Software Developers primarily focus on coding and implementation. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but the Professional Software Engineer may be expected to handle more complex projects and collaborate across teams.

What do professional software engineers do?

Professional software engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software applications and systems. They analyze user requirements, write code using programming languages, and collaborate with teams to ensure functionality, performance, and security. They often use tools like version control systems and follow industry best practices to deliver reliable software solutions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Software Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Professional Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Professional Software Engineer job openings:

Senior Software Engineer

Fort George G Meade, MD • On-site

$170K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Overview

VTG is seeking an experienced and adaptable Software Engineer to join our team in support of a mission-focused customer deploying cutting-edge systems.

The Software Engineer will design, develop, test, integrate, and maintain scalable, highly available software solutions supporting mission-critical environments. This role requires hands-on experience with Python, JavaScript, Bash scripting, and Grafana, along with a strong understanding of modern software engineering and system design principles.


What will you do?
  • Analyze user and mission requirements to derive software design, interface, and performance requirements.
  • Design, develop, modify, integrate, test, and maintain mission-critical software systems.
  • Develop and maintain scalable, highly available applications using modern software architecture and system design principles.
  • Develop software solutions and automation capabilities using Python, JavaScript, and Bash.
  • Build and maintain dashboards, visualizations, and monitoring capabilities using Grafana.
  • Debug, troubleshoot, and correct defects in existing software applications.
  • Create and maintain Docker containers and support application deployments using Kubernetes pods and clusters.
  • Develop automation scripts to improve development workflows, deployment processes, system operations, and overall efficiency.
  • Assist with developing and executing test procedures for software components.
  • Collaborate with systems engineers and hardware engineers to derive software requirements and understand system limitations, capabilities, performance requirements, and interfaces.
  • Design and modify software systems using engineering analysis and mathematical models to evaluate system performance and design outcomes.
  • Identify and recommend improvements to technical documentation, software development processes, and engineering standards.
  • Participate in software integration, troubleshooting, testing, and continuous improvement activities.

Do you have what it takes?
  • TS/SCI with Poly required
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical discipline.
  • Eight (8) or more years of professional Software Engineering experience.
  • Professional experience with Python software development and scripting.
  • Experience developing applications or automation solutions using JavaScript.
  • Experience developing Bash scripts for automation, system administration, or operational workflows.
  • Experience using Grafana for monitoring, visualization, dashboards, or system observability.
  • Experience analyzing user requirements and translating them into software design and performance requirements.
  • Experience debugging, troubleshooting, and resolving complex software defects.
  • Experience designing or supporting scalable, highly available systems.
  • Strong understanding of modern software development and system design principles.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with software engineers, systems engineers, hardware engineers, and other technical stakeholders.
  • Core Technical Skills
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Bash
    • Grafana
    • Software Development
    • Automation and Scripting
    • System Monitoring and Observability
    • Software Testing and Debugging
    • High-Availability System Design
 
 

VTG’s estimated starting pay range is $170K-$210K annually, which is a general guideline for the geographic location. When extending an offer, VTG also considers work experience, education, skill level, market considerations and may possibly include contractual requirements which may cause an offer to fall outside of this range.

Qualifications:
  • TS/SCI with Poly required
  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical discipline.
  • Eight (8) or more years of professional Software Engineering experience.
  • Professional experience with Python software development and scripting.
  • Experience developing applications or automation solutions using JavaScript.
  • Experience developing Bash scripts for automation, system administration, or operational workflows.
  • Experience using Grafana for monitoring, visualization, dashboards, or system observability.
  • Experience analyzing user requirements and translating them into software design and performance requirements.
  • Experience debugging, troubleshooting, and resolving complex software defects.
  • Experience designing or supporting scalable, highly available systems.
  • Strong understanding of modern software development and system design principles.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with software engineers, systems engineers, hardware engineers, and other technical stakeholders.
  • Core Technical Skills
    • Python
    • JavaScript
    • Bash
    • Grafana
    • Software Development
    • Automation and Scripting
    • System Monitoring and Observability
    • Software Testing and Debugging
    • High-Availability System Design
 
 
Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME