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Research Software Developer Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Responsibilities With your superb technical, research and analytical capabilities and demonstrated ... of software applications or operating systems. You will be able to work with Engineering Managers ...

Explore and incorporate contemporary research on AI, agents, and inference systems into the ... Data engineering: Spark, Kafka, Flink, OCI Streaming/Data Flow * Distributed systems and large ...

We are looking for a Software Engineer (Backend) to join our team and contribute to the development ... Innovation & Research: Investigate and propose innovative solutions for complex mobile challenges.

Responsibilities With your superb technical, research and analytical capabilities and demonstrated ... of software applications or operating systems. You will be able to work with Engineering Managers ...

Explore and incorporate contemporary research on AI, agents, and inference systems into the ... Data engineering: Spark, Kafka, Flink, OCI Streaming/Data Flow * Distributed systems and large ...

Explore and incorporate contemporary research on AI, agents, and inference systems into the ... Data engineering: Spark, Kafka, Flink, OCI Streaming/Data Flow * Distributed systems and large ...

This position offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful research initiatives while helping ... Programming & Software Engineering: Strong coding skills with the ability to write maintainable ...

... for a Software Development Engineer III to build, deliver, and maintain complex products that ... Research implementations that deliver the best possible experiences for customers. A day in the ...

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Research Software Developer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$54.6K

$127.3K

$188.9K

How much do research software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for research software developer in Seattle, WA is $127,283.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,400.00 and $147,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Research Software Developers?

Research Software Developers are professionals who create, maintain, and optimize software tools and applications that support scientific research. They work closely with researchers to understand their computational needs, develop custom code, and ensure software is reliable and reproducible. These developers often bridge the gap between domain scientists and traditional software engineers, enabling innovative scientific discoveries through robust software solutions.

How do Research Software Developers typically balance research goals with software engineering best practices?

Research Software Developers often work closely with scientists and researchers to create tools that advance specific research objectives. Balancing experimental flexibility with software reliability can be challenging, as projects may evolve rapidly and require iterative prototyping. Developers must prioritize clear documentation, modular code, and version control to ensure that software remains usable and reproducible as research progresses. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams is common, and effective communication helps align technical solutions with scientific needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Research Software Developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Software Developer, you need strong programming skills (typically in Python, C++, or Java), a solid understanding of algorithms, and often an advanced degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, high-performance computing environments, and tools for data analysis and visualization is commonly required. Excellent problem-solving ability, collaboration, and clear scientific communication are vital soft skills in this role. These capabilities are crucial for developing robust research software, enabling effective teamwork, and ensuring reproducibility and reliability in scientific investigations.

What is the difference between Research Software Developer vs Data Scientist?

AspectResearch Software DeveloperData Scientist
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in computer science, software engineering, or related fieldsUsually holds degrees in statistics, data science, or related disciplines
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, or R&D departmentsBusiness, tech companies, or research organizations
Industry UsageUsed in scientific research, academia, and research-focused organizationsApplied in analytics, business intelligence, and data-driven decision making

Research Software Developers focus on creating software tools and algorithms for research purposes, often working closely with scientists. Data Scientists analyze and interpret complex data to inform decisions. While both roles require programming skills, their primary goals and work environments differ, making each role unique in the research and data analysis landscape.

What job categories do people searching Research Software Developer jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Research Software Developer jobs in Seattle, WA are:
Senior Researcher - Research in Software Engineering - Microsoft Research

Senior Researcher - Research in Software Engineering - Microsoft Research

Microsoft

Redmond, WA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Microsoft rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 129 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 202 rated software companies


Job description

Job Summary:
Microsoft Research is at the forefront of advancing software engineering through impactful research. The Senior Researcher will play a critical role in developing foundational ideas into practical advancements in programming languages, testing, and automated reasoning.
Responsibilities:
• Drive high-impact research in rigorous software engineering integrating AI technologies.
• Collaborate to develop and test out new ideas within existing or new collaborative teams.
• Build and maintain state of the art systems in this space.
• Collaborate in preparing technical papers and presentations.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Doctorate in relevant field
• OR Master's Degree in relevant field AND 3+ years related research experience
• OR Bachelor's Degree in relevant field AND 4+ years related research experience
• OR equivalent experience.
Preferred:
• 3 years of experience building large scale systems integrating rigorous methods and AI technologies for software engineering.
• Active participation in engineering efforts in the above areas, with involvement in building and maintaining systems.
• Active participation in research as demonstrated by publications.
• Demonstrable ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.
Company:
Microsoft provides computer software, consumer electronics, cloud computing platforms, and digital enterprise systems. Founded in 1975, the company is headquartered in Redmond, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

What Microsoft employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Microsoft logo

About Microsoft

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 100 datacenters and 1 million servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our datacenter design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Redmond, WA, US

Year founded

1975

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