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Scientific Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$140K - $184K/yr

You will work closely with engineers, product partners, and laboratory scientists to build and evolve the internal software systems at the center of our science. This role is leveled as Senior ...

Senior Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$19K - $215K/mo

You will work closely with engineers, product partners, and laboratory scientists to build and evolve the internal software systems at the center of our science. This role is leveled as Senior ...

Senior Software Engineer

San Mateo, CA

$139K - $183K/yr

You will work closely with engineers, product partners, and laboratory scientists to build and evolve the internal software systems at the center of our science. This role is leveled as Senior ...

Software Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$226K - $227K/yr

Education and Experience • Position requires a Master's degree or foreign equivalent degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related field plus two (2) years of experience in a ...

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How much do scientific software engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for scientific software engineer in the United States is $39.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $57.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Scientific Software Engineer typically collaborate with researchers and domain experts on projects?

Scientific Software Engineers frequently work closely with researchers, scientists, and domain experts to translate complex scientific requirements into robust and efficient software solutions. Collaboration often involves participating in project meetings, understanding specific scientific models or data workflows, and iteratively refining software based on user feedback. This role requires strong communication skills and the ability to bridge the gap between technical software development and domain-specific needs, ensuring that the resulting tools are both scientifically accurate and user-friendly.

What are Scientific Software Engineers?

Scientific Software Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain software applications tailored for scientific research and data analysis. They collaborate with scientists and researchers to create computational tools, simulations, or data processing pipelines that enable complex experiments and facilitate discovery. Their role often requires expertise in both domain-specific science and advanced programming, ensuring that software solutions are robust, efficient, and reproducible. Scientific Software Engineers typically work in academic institutions, research labs, or industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and climate science.

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

To thrive as a Scientific Software Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, mathematics, and scientific domains, often with an advanced degree in a STEM field. Familiarity with programming languages like Python, C++, and MATLAB, as well as experience with scientific computing libraries and version control systems, is typically required. Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are essential soft skills for this role. These competencies enable the development of robust and efficient scientific software, facilitating research and innovation in scientific projects.

What is the difference between Scientific Software Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectScientific Software EngineerData Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Engineering, or related fields; programming skillsBachelor's or Master's in Data Science, Statistics, or related fields; programming and analytical skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, scientific organizations, tech companies focusing on simulation and modelingBusiness, tech companies, research institutions analyzing large datasets
Industry UsageScientific research, engineering, simulation developmentData analysis, predictive modeling, machine learning applications

While both roles require programming skills and a strong technical background, Scientific Software Engineers focus on developing software for scientific research and simulations, whereas Data Scientists analyze data to extract insights and build models. The roles often overlap in skills but differ in their primary objectives and work environments.

More about Scientific Software Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Scientific Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Scientific Software Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Scientific Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Scientific Software Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Scientific Software Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Scientific Software Engineer jobs are:
AP108 HEASARC Senior Scientific Software Developer

AP108 HEASARC Senior Scientific Software Developer

ADNET Systems, Inc.

Greenbelt, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

AP108 HEASARC Senior Scientific Software Developer
The High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive (HEASARC) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) seeks a senior scientific software developer with significant experience in developing, maintaining, and managing open source software. Experience with developing or maintaining C and C++ code would be a plus. We maintain a large code base of analysis software called HEASoft written over several decades and using multiple languages from a variety of contributors and developers. We need to modernize the development and management practices we use. As we open source parts of this code, we expect contributions also from the community. We are furthermore developing a plan for modernizing the software itself and will need an experienced developer to be involved in the design as well as implementation of this future code base.
Required Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining large, long-lived code bases in a collaborative or open source environment
  • Proficiency in at least one systems-level language (C, C++, Fortran) and at least one scripting language (Python, Perl, or shell)
  • Experience with modern software development practices: version control with git, code review workflows, CI/CD pipelines, and issue tracking
  • Experience managing open source projects, including contribution workflows, licensing considerations, and community-facing documentation
  • Ability to work across a multi-language, multi-contributor code base and improve consistency without requiring full rewrites
  • Strong written communication skills for technical documentation and contributor-facing guidance
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Astronomy, Computer Science or a relevant physical science
  • US Citizenship or Permanent Residency (LPR) required, with US residency for the past 3 consecutive years.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Tier 1 Investigation through NASA.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience modernizing or refactoring legacy scientific software
  • Familiarity with HEASARC tools or high-energy astrophysics data formats (HEASoft, FTOOLS, XSPEC, FITS)
  • Experience with software build systems (CMake, Autotools, or similar) across multiple platforms
  • Background in scientific computing or research software engineering
  • Experience designing software architecture for long-term maintainability and extensibility
  • Master of Science degree or higher in Physics, Astronomy, Computer Science or a relevant physical science

Team ADNET brings over 30+ years of experience to information systems and professional services for the federal government. With a history of expertise in software development, computer network design, IT security, mission operations support, and educational outreach, Team ADNET is deeply embedded in the Space and Earth Science at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt, MD.
ADNET Systems, Inc. is working with Goddard Space Flight Center to fulfill NASA's vision for space exploration, and working with the Science and Exploration Directorate to fulfill its many missions.
ADNET Systems, Inc. is an employee-centric company, committed to providing premier benefits that support our employees and their families. With affordable medical and dental plans coupled with leading disability and life insurance options, ADNET offers our employees the benefits most sought after by today's professional candidate. Furthermore, our benefits package features the extras that distinguish us from other small businesses, ensuring our high employee retention that our customers appreciate.
Some features of our compensation plans and environment perks include:
  • Annual Leave/Sick Leave
  • Military and Family Emergency Leave
  • Paid Holidays
  • Performance Bonuses
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
  • Direct Deposit Payroll
  • 401K Plan with Company Matching
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Swag bags