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Research Software Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

IonQ

Senior Research Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$145K - $191K/yr

Develop, maintain, and support the research and development (R&D) software used by our scientists ... Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and modern DevOps practices. * Experience ...

UAB

RESEARCH SOFTWARE ARCHITECT-ENT

Tampa, FL

$104K - $169K/yr

This position will work within Research Computing to architect advanced computing, GPU-enabled ... Partners with other software engineering professionals from across the university and collaborating ...

IonQ

Senior Research Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$133K - $175K/yr

Own the general software development lifecycle for our R&D codebases, including triaging and fixing ... Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and modern DevOps practices. * Experience ...

MANTECH

Python Software Developer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$51.75 - $71.25/hr

Research software concepts, develop, and demo proof-of-concepts. * Collaborate with team members to ... Effectively communicate with fellow developers and occasionally with end-users. Minimum ...

MANTECH

Python Software Developer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$51.75 - $71.25/hr

Research software concepts, develop, and demo proof-of-concepts. * Collaborate with team members to ... Effectively communicate with fellow developers and occasionally with end-users. Minimum ...

Microsoft

Principal Research Software Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

$151K - $202K/yr

... modern developer tooling to improve experimentation, implementation, testing, evaluation ... research. #Research #MSRR Software Engineering IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role ...

MANTECH

Python Software Developer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$51.75 - $71.25/hr

Research software concepts, develop, and demo proof-of-concepts. * Collaborate with team members to ... Effectively communicate with fellow developers and occasionally with end-users. Minimum ...

MANTECH

Python Software Developer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$51.75 - $71.25/hr

Research software concepts, develop, and demo proof-of-concepts. * Collaborate with team members to ... Effectively communicate with fellow developers and occasionally with end-users. Minimum ...

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Research Software Developer information

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$48K

$111.8K

$166K

How much do research software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for research 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 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.

More about Research Software Developer jobs
What cities are hiring for Research Software Developer jobs? Cities with the most Research Software Developer job openings:
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What states have the most Research Software Developer jobs? States with the most job openings for Research Software Developer jobs include:
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Research Software Developer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Software Developer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,845 per year, or $53.8 per hour.
AI Foundations - Research Software Engineer

AI Foundations - Research Software Engineer

IBM

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$225K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

IBM rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 75 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

105th of 202 rated software companies

Job description

Job Summary:
IBM is the innovation engine of IBM Research, focusing on advancing AI and hybrid cloud technologies. They are seeking a Research Software Engineer to push the boundaries of Artificial Intelligence, particularly in natural language processing, deep learning, and foundation model development, while collaborating with scientists to create AI-driven solutions.
Responsibilities:
• push the boundaries of Artificial Intelligence
• bridge the gap between cutting-edge theoretical research and practical application by building, training, and analyzing large language models (LLMs)
• shape the future of AI interpretability
• collaborate with world-class scientists and academic partners
• publish groundbreaking findings at top-tier industry venues
• rapidly prototype AI-driven solutions
• scale complex data pipelines
Qualifications:
Required:
• Deep expertise in natural language processing (NLP), deep learning, and foundation model development.
• Hands-on experience designing, training, and working with Transformer architectures and Large Language Models (LLMs).
• Strong programming proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks, specifically PyTorch.
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly prototype, build, and iterate on AI-driven solutions.
Preferred:
• Experience with or a strong understanding of mechanistic interpretability for AI models.
• Proficiency in systems programming languages, particularly Rust or C++.
• Proven experience designing, building, and managing large-scale data pipelines.
• Background in developing interactive analytical or visualization tools for comprehensive model analysis.
Company:
IBM provides technology and consulting, including software, infrastructure systems, and cloud-based solutions. Founded in 1911, the company is headquartered in Armonk, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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About IBM

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At IBM, work is more than a job - it's a calling: To build. To design. To code. To consult. To think along with clients and sell. To make markets. To invent. To collaborate. Not just to do something better, but to attempt things you've never thought possible. Are you ready to lead in this new era of technology and solve some of the world's most challenging problems? If so, lets talk.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Armonk, NY, US

Year founded

1911

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