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Senior Application Developer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Senior Applications Developer

Arlington, VA

$109K - $150K/yr

Overview SENIOR APPLICATION DEVELOPER (NAUT): Bowhead seeks a Senior Application Developer to support our customer on the Nautical contract in the Arlington, VA area. This position serves as a ...

Senior Application Software Engineer Position Overview Oracle Government Defense & Intelligence is seeking a Senior Application Software Engineer to build and operate secure, scalable application ...

Senior Application Software Engineer Position Overview Oracle Government Defense & Intelligence is seeking a Senior Application Software Engineer to build and operate secure, scalable application ...

Senior Application Software Engineer Position Overview Oracle Government Defense & Intelligence is seeking a Senior Application Software Engineer to build and operate secure, scalable application ...

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Senior Application Developer information

See Virginia salary details

$53.5K

$113.9K

$158.1K

How much do senior application developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior application developer in Virginia is $113,919.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,200.00 and $130,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineering jobs pay $500,000?

Senior application developers with extensive experience, specialized skills in high-demand programming languages, and leadership roles can reach or exceed $500,000 in total compensation, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or within large tech companies. Achieving this level often requires advanced certifications, a strong portfolio, and involvement in complex, high-impact projects.

Can I make 200k a year as a software engineer?

Senior Application Developers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in high-cost-of-living areas can potentially earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with bonuses or stock options. Achieving this salary often requires expertise in in-demand technologies, certifications, and working for large or high-paying companies.

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

To thrive as a Senior Application Developer, you need advanced programming skills, a deep understanding of software development lifecycles, and typically a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related fields. Mastery of languages like Java, C#, or Python, experience with frameworks, databases, and familiarity with version control systems (such as Git) are essential, and certifications like AWS Certified Developer or Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help you manage projects and mentor junior developers. These skills are crucial for delivering robust, scalable applications and ensuring effective collaboration within development teams.

What does a senior application developer do?

A senior application developer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software applications, often leading projects and mentoring junior staff. They typically have expertise in programming languages, software development frameworks, and tools like version control systems, and may be involved in architecture decisions and code reviews.

What jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

Senior Application Developers with extensive experience, specialized skills in high-demand programming languages, and certifications can reach or exceed a $300,000 annual salary, especially in senior or lead roles within large organizations or tech firms. High-paying roles often involve management responsibilities, complex project oversight, or working in competitive markets such as finance or technology sectors.

What is the difference between Senior Application Developer vs Application Engineer?

AspectSenior Application DeveloperApplication Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field; 5+ years experience; programming certificationsBachelor's degree in CS or related field; 3+ years experience; technical certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and maintaining applications; leading projectsImplementing, testing, and supporting applications; collaborating with development teams
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, finance, healthcare; senior roles in software developmentIT firms, manufacturing, telecom; technical support and implementation roles

While both roles involve application development, Senior Application Developers typically lead projects and have more experience, whereas Application Engineers focus on implementing and supporting applications within technical teams.

What are some typical challenges faced by Senior Application Developers when leading development projects?

Senior Application Developers often encounter challenges such as balancing project deadlines with code quality, managing technical debt, and integrating new technologies into existing systems. They are typically responsible for mentoring junior developers, which requires strong communication and leadership skills. Additionally, they must collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, such as QA, UX/UI designers, and product managers, to ensure that project requirements are met while maintaining scalability and performance standards.

What are Senior Application Developers?

Senior Application Developers are experienced professionals who design, build, and maintain complex software applications. They lead development teams, make key architectural decisions, and ensure that software projects meet technical standards and business requirements. In addition to writing code, they often mentor junior developers, troubleshoot high-level issues, and collaborate with other departments to deliver robust solutions. Their expertise helps organizations create scalable and efficient applications tailored to business needs.
What are the most commonly searched types of Application Developer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Application Developer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Senior Application Developer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Senior Application Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Application Developer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,919 per year, or $54.8 per hour.

Senior Applications Developer

Bowhead

Arlington, VA

$109K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

Overview

SENIOR APPLICATION DEVELOPER (NAUT):

Bowhead seeks a Senior Application Developer to support our customer on the Nautical contract in the Arlington, VA area. This position serves as a technical leader in the modernization of legacy DoD systems, providing advanced expertise in cloud-native development, architecture design, and team leadership.

This position is located near a metro station and a travel stipend may be provided if necessary.

Responsibilities
  • Lead the architectural design and development of complex cloud-native applications and systems for DoD modernization initiatives
  • Drive technical decision-making for legacy application migration strategies and modernization approaches
  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior and mid-level developers on best practices and advanced techniques
  • Design and implement scalable, secure, and resilient cloud architectures using industry best practices
  • Lead code reviews and establish coding standards, development processes, and quality assurance procedures
  • Collaborate with system architects and technical leads to define overall system architecture and integration strategies
  • Implement advanced DevOps practices including infrastructure as code, automated deployment pipelines, and monitoring solutions
  • Design and develop complex microservices architectures with proper service mesh implementation
  • Lead performance optimization efforts for cloud applications including load testing and capacity planning
  • Coordinate with government stakeholders to understand requirements and ensure technical solutions meet mission needs
  • Evaluate and recommend new technologies, frameworks, and tools to improve development efficiency and system performance
  • Lead incident response efforts for production issues and implement preventive measures
  • Design and implement comprehensive security controls throughout the application development lifecycle
  • Participate in technical reviews, design sessions, and architectural decision meetings
  • Manage technical debt and legacy system dependencies during migration projects
  • Develop and maintain technical documentation including architecture diagrams, design documents, and operational procedures
  • Coordinate with cross-functional teams including security, operations, and quality assurance
  • Lead proof-of-concept development and technical feasibility studies
  • Ensure compliance with DOD Directive 8140 and applicable cybersecurity frameworks
  • Interface with the customer and external stakeholders in working groups, technical exchange meetings, and other forums
  • Chair/co-chair meetings and working groups on behalf of government representatives as directed
  • Resolve technical problems, allocate resources, and monitor development team performance to meet contract requirements
  • Provide daily technical leadership and guidance to development team members
  • Provide planned replacement information at least 15 calendar days prior to replacement
  • Provide information within 24 hours of an unplanned replacement
  • Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or related technical field from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution; Master's degree preferred. Ten (10) years of progressive experience in software development with significant cloud application experience may be substituted in lieu of degree
  • Minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in software development with significant cloud application experience
  • Expert-level proficiency in multiple programming languages and development frameworks (C++ / Java) 
  • Extensive experience with cloud platforms and advanced cloud services (compute, storage, networking, security)
  • Deep understanding of distributed systems, microservices architecture, and cloud-native design patterns
  • Proven leadership experience mentoring technical teams and managing complex development projects
  • Advanced knowledge of containerization, orchestration, and service mesh technologies
  • Experience with infrastructure as code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation, ARM templates)
  • Strong understanding of DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing strategies
  • Expertise in application security, secure coding practices, and compliance frameworks
  • Excellent communication skills with ability to present complex technical concepts to various audiences
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Required: IAT Level III certification (one of the following): CISSP, CASP+, CCNP Security, CISA, CISSP (or Associate), GCIH, GCFA, or CSSLPDesired: Multiple cloud platform certifications at professional level (AWS Solutions Architect Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect), Kubernetes CKA/CKAD, Docker Certified Associate, specialized security certifications

Physical Demands:

  • Must be able to lift 25 pounds on occasion.
  • Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged period amounts of time.
  • Must be able to twist, bend, and squat periodically.

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to maintain a security clearance at the Top Secret level with SCI eligibility and maintain SAP eligibility. Due to work requirements, this position will not entertain work from home capabilities. US Citizenship is a requirement for this contract.

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Employment Type: FULL_TIME