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Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer Jobs

Leidos

Software Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$69K - $125K/yr

... national defense using advanced signal processing, ocean remote sensing, and high-performance ... We're looking for a Software Engineer / Computer Scientist who thrives on solving hard problems and ...

Pae

Software Engineer

Aiken, SC · On-site +1

... across defense, intelligence, energy, and civilian sectors. Our people are our competitive ... We are currently seeking a Software Engineer to be remote/hybrid. Experience/Skills Needed

The Pennsylvania State University

$170K - $201K/yr

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional ... Background in developing sustainment software solutions for defense applications. * Excellent ...

Frontier Technology Inc.

$190K - $220K/yr

Overview FTI Defense is seeking an AI/ML Software Engineer to design, build, and deploy secure ... Remote

The Pennsylvania State University

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional ... Defense challenges. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes applications from ...

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Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer information

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$63.5K

$147.5K

$205.5K

How much do remote defense contractor software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote defense contractor software engineer in the United States is $147,524.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer, you typically need a strong background in computer science or engineering, proficiency in programming languages like C++ or Java, and active security clearance. Familiarity with secure coding practices, embedded systems, and tools such as Git, Jira, and specialized defense software development environments is crucial. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and self-motivation are standout soft skills for remote collaboration and meeting strict project requirements. These competencies ensure secure, reliable software delivery and effective teamwork in sensitive, mission-critical defense projects.

Does Lockheed Martin hire remote workers?

Lockheed Martin, including roles like Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer, primarily hires for on-site positions, but some roles may offer remote or hybrid work options depending on the project and department. Candidates should review specific job postings for remote work availability and requirements such as security clearances and specialized skills.

What is the difference between Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer vs Remote Cybersecurity Software Engineer?

AspectRemote Defense Contractor Software EngineerRemote Cybersecurity Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related, security clearances often preferredBachelor's in CS, Cybersecurity, or related; certifications like CISSP beneficial
Work EnvironmentDefense contractors, government projects, secure facilitiesTech companies, security firms, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily defense and military sectorsPrimarily cybersecurity and IT sectors
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for security clearance and defense projectsCompared for network security and threat mitigation roles

The Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer typically works on defense and military projects requiring security clearances, while the Remote Cybersecurity Software Engineer focuses on protecting networks and systems from cyber threats. Both roles require strong technical skills, but their industries and project types differ significantly.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior defense contractor software engineers, especially those with expertise in cybersecurity, embedded systems, or specialized defense technologies, can earn $300,000 or more annually. High salaries are often associated with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and working in high-security or classified environments.

How does a Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer typically collaborate with team members and stakeholders given security and communication constraints?

Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineers often work with multidisciplinary teams, including developers, project managers, and cybersecurity specialists. Collaboration is facilitated through secure, government-approved communication platforms and version control systems that comply with strict security protocols. Regular virtual meetings and documentation are essential to ensure alignment on project requirements and updates. While remote work offers flexibility, engineers must be diligent in following procedures for handling sensitive information and may sometimes need to access secure facilities for classified work. Effective communication and adaptability are key to overcoming the challenges of working in a highly regulated, remote environment.

What is a Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer?

A Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer is a software developer who works for a company contracted by government defense agencies to build, maintain, or secure software systems, but does their work from a remote location instead of a traditional office or on-site facility. These engineers often develop applications for military or national security use, which can include communication systems, cybersecurity tools, or mission-critical platforms. Due to the sensitive nature of their work, they may require special security clearances and must adhere to strict security protocols even while working remotely.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

A remote defense contractor software engineer with extensive experience, specialized skills in cybersecurity or defense systems, and often security clearances can earn $500,000 or more annually. Such high salaries typically reflect seniority, leadership roles, or involvement in highly sensitive projects within the defense industry.

How much do CIA software engineers make?

CIA software engineers typically earn salaries comparable to federal government pay scales, often ranging from $80,000 to over $150,000 annually depending on experience, education, and security clearance level. Compensation may also include benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses for specialized skills like cybersecurity or cryptography.
More about Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs are:
Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Defense Contractor Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Full Time, 50% Part Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,524 per year, or $70.9 per hour.

AI Software Engineer - Remote

IsI Enterprises LLC

Reston, VA • On-site, Remote

$140K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

The AI Software Engineer is responsible for building, integrating, and maintaining AI-driven automation solutions that improve operational efficiency across multiple business units. Working closely with the AI Solutions Architect, this role translates solution designs into production-ready software, APIs, and platform integrations. The AI Software Engineer operates with a security-first mindset, ensuring all code, integrations, and deployments meet the organization's security standards and regulatory obligations. This role is hands-on and delivery-focused, requiring strong software engineering fundamentals combined with practical experience in AI/ML tooling and modern cloud platforms.
Key Responsibilities
Software Development and Integration
  • Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered automation tools, workflows, and integrations that serve cross-functional business needs.
  • Build and maintain APIs, microservices, and data pipelines that connect AI capabilities to business applications and platforms.
  • Implement and configure commercial AI/automation platforms where build vs. buy decisions favor adoption over custom development.
  • Write clean, well-documented, testable code following established engineering standards and best practices.
AI and Automation Implementation
  • Develop and fine-tune AI models, prompts, and automation workflows to address specific operational bottlenecks identified by business units.
  • Integrate large language models, machine learning frameworks, and AI services into enterprise applications and workflows.
  • Build internal tools and interfaces that enable non-technical teams to leverage AI capabilities effectively.
  • Continuously evaluate and incorporate emerging AI tools and techniques to improve solution quality and delivery speed.
Security-First Development
  • Embed security principles into all phases of the software development lifecycle, including secure coding practices, input validation, authentication, and authorization controls.
  • Conduct code reviews with a focus on identifying and remediating security vulnerabilities.
  • Ensure all AI integrations, API endpoints, and data flows are designed with least-privilege access, encryption in transit and at rest, and proper logging and monitoring.
  • Collaborate with cloud security and compliance teams to validate that deployments meet CMMC, NIST SP 800 series, DFARS, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Support secure deployment practices including infrastructure-as-code, container security, and CI/CD pipeline hardening.

Platform and Infrastructure Support
  • Deploy and manage solutions across cloud and hybrid environments (Azure, AWS, or GCP) following organizational security and architectural standards.
  • Monitor application performance, reliability, and security posture in production environments.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues across the full stack, from data layer to user-facing applications.

Collaboration and Documentation
  • Partner with the AI Solutions Architect to refine solution designs and ensure technical feasibility.
  • Participate in business unit meetings to understand requirements, demonstrate progress, and gather feedback.
  • Maintain comprehensive technical documentation including architecture diagrams, API specifications, runbooks, and deployment procedures.
  • Contribute to the development of reusable components, libraries, and patterns that accelerate future solution delivery.

Qualifications
US Citizenship Required Must possess and be able to maintain a Secret Clearance.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • A minimum of four years of progressive experience in software engineering, with at least two years of hands-on experience building AI/ML-powered applications or automation solutions.
  • Strong proficiency in modern programming languages such as Python, TypeScript/JavaScript, or Go.
  • Demonstrated experience building and deploying APIs, microservices, and cloud-native applications.
  • Practical experience with AI/ML frameworks, large language model integration, or automation platform development.
  • Familiarity with secure software development practices and experience operating in regulated environments with compliance frameworks such as CMMC, NIST SP 800 series, DFARS, or equivalent.
  • Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP) and infrastructure-as-code tools.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Five or more years of software engineering experience with a focus on AI/automation.
  • Experience in the government contracting or defense sector.
  • Hands-on experience with LLM APIs, prompt engineering, RAG architectures, and AI agent frameworks.
  • Experience with container orchestration (Kubernetes, Docker), CI/CD pipelines, and DevSecOps practices.
  • Familiarity with data engineering concepts including ETL pipelines, data warehousing, and streaming architectures.
  • Relevant certifications in cloud platforms, AI/ML, or security are desirable.

What We Offer
  • The salary range for this role is $140,000 to $170,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications.
  • Opportunity for remote work.
  • A competitive salary and benefits package.
  • A casual, friendly, and relaxed work environment.
  • Professional growth encouragement and support.
Industrial Security Integrators, LLC ("IsI") is an equal opportunity employer committed to affirmative action and diversity in the workplace. It is the policy of IsI to provide Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to Employees and Applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, citizenship status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or disability or any other factor protected by law and to provide advancement opportunities for minorities, women, disabled individuals, and veterans. IsI is stronger and more effective when our workforce includes highly qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions.
IsI Enterprises does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies in response to job postings or otherwise. Placement fees will not be paid to any recruiter unless IsI has an active agreement in place with the recruiter and such a request has been made by the IsI hiring team and such candidate was submitted to the IsI hiring team via our Applicant Tracking System. Any unsolicited resumes or other data submitted to IsI in violation of this policy may be used by IsI without obligation to pay any fees of any kind to the recruiter.

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