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Senior Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Twenty

Senior Backend Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

The Senior Backend Software Engineer will build backend systems that support cyber capabilities, working on high-performance APIs and complex data modeling to improve operational effectiveness.

Molg

Backend Software Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

A senior-level software engineer with a strong track record of architecting and maintaining production backend systems. You bring a systems mindset, practical experience in deploying and scaling ...

Chenega MIOS SBU

Senior Backend Developer

Vienna, VA · On-site

... software engineer or equivalent practical experience • Hands-on experience developing backend services using: Python, JavaScript / Node.js, Java (for enterprise integrations and services) • ...

Chenega MIOS

Senior Backend Developer

Vienna, VA · On-site

$120K - $157K/yr

Req ID: 40538 Summary Senior Backend Developer Vienna, VA Are you ready to enhance your skills and ... software engineer or equivalent practical experience * Hands-on experience developing backend ...

Chenega Corporation

Senior Backend Developer

Vienna, VA · On-site

$120K - $157K/yr

Summary Senior Backend Developer Vienna, VA Are you ready to enhance your skills and build your ... software engineer or equivalent practical experience * Hands-on experience developing backend ...

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All JobsBackend Software Engineer JobsSenior Backend Software Engineer JobsSenior Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Senior Backend Software Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$20K

$137.4K

$191.3K

How much do senior backend software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior backend software engineer in Virginia is $137,380.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,800.00 and $158,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior backend software engineer?

Senior Backend Software Engineers are experienced professionals responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the server-side logic, databases, and APIs that power web and software applications. They work closely with front-end developers, product managers, and other team members to ensure robust, scalable, and secure systems. In addition to coding, they often mentor junior engineers, conduct code reviews, and help shape the architecture and technical direction of projects. Their expertise enables businesses to handle high volumes of data, users, and complex business logic efficiently.

How does a senior backend software engineer typically collaborate with frontend teams and other stakeholders during the development process?

Senior Backend Software Engineers frequently work closely with frontend developers, product managers, and sometimes UX designers to ensure seamless integration between server-side logic and user-facing features. This collaboration often involves participating in planning meetings, discussing API contracts, and reviewing architectural decisions to ensure scalability and performance. Clear communication and regular sync-ups are essential, as backend engineers need to translate business requirements into robust technical solutions while addressing any integration challenges that arise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior backend software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Backend Software Engineer, you need advanced programming skills (such as Python, Java, or Go), a deep understanding of system architecture, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with databases, cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), containerization tools (Docker, Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipelines is typically required, along with knowledge of best practices in API design and security. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, strong communication, and leadership skills help you effectively collaborate and mentor junior engineers. These competencies are crucial for building robust, scalable systems and ensuring the technical success of complex projects.

What is the difference between Senior Backend Software Engineer vs Backend Developer?

AspectSenior Backend Software EngineerBackend Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field; experience with cloud platformsBachelor's degree or equivalent; proficiency in backend languages
Work EnvironmentCollaborates on complex systems, mentors junior staffDevelops and maintains backend features, less mentorship
Industry UsageCommon in tech companies, startups, enterprise firmsWidely used across various industries, including e-commerce and SaaS
Search & Comparison IntentOften searched for career progression, senior rolesTypically searched for entry to mid-level roles

The main difference between a Senior Backend Software Engineer and a Backend Developer lies in experience, responsibilities, and scope. Senior engineers handle complex systems, mentor teams, and contribute to architecture, while backend developers focus on coding and maintaining backend features. Both roles require strong technical skills, but senior roles demand more leadership and strategic input.

What are the most commonly searched types of Backend Software Engineer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Backend Software Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Senior Backend Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Senior Backend Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Backend Software Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,380 per year, or $66 per hour.

Senior Backend Software Engineer

Twenty

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Job Summary:
Twenty Technologies is a company focused on enhancing U.S. national security through advanced cyber operations. The Senior Backend Software Engineer will build backend systems that support cyber capabilities, working on high-performance APIs and complex data modeling to improve operational effectiveness.
Responsibilities:
• Design and implement scalable backend services in Go that improve operator decision-making and response.
• Build high-performance APIs that power customer-facing workflows and internal platform capabilities.
• Model complex relationships in graph databases and optimize schemas and queries for speed and clarity.
• Implement event-driven systems (e.g., with NATS) to process real-time operational data streams.
• Develop and maintain automated tests to protect correctness, security, and performance as the system evolves.
• Build and operate microservices deployed on AWS, with an eye toward resilience and cost-aware scaling.
• Create and improve CI/CD pipelines that enable fast, secure delivery of new capabilities.
• Partner with cyber operations experts to translate domain needs into robust product features.
• Collaborate with frontend engineers on API contracts and data structures that are efficient and usable.
• Evaluate new technologies and patterns that could unlock better operational outcomes.
Qualifications:
Required:
• You have 5+ years of professional software development experience building backend (or full-stack) applications.
• You have strong proficiency with Go (Golang) and have shipped production services with it.
• You have experience working with graph databases (Neo4j, AWS Neptune, or similar), including schema design and query performance.
• You have working knowledge of event-driven architectures and message queues/streaming systems.
• You have experience building and maintaining APIs (REST and/or GraphQL).
• You have experience with cloud infrastructure, ideally AWS, and understand cloud-native deployment patterns.
• You have hands-on experience with containerization and microservices architectures.
• You have a strong foundation in secure coding practices and can reason about security tradeoffs.
• You have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Preferred:
• You’ve delivered software in defense, security, or other mission-critical environments.
• You’ve built systems for analysts, operators, or high-tempo users where speed and reliability matter.
• You’ve integrated AI/ML capabilities into production systems (inference, pipelines, or tooling).
• You have experience with large-scale data processing and analytics workloads.
• You’ve contributed meaningfully to open-source projects.
• You’ve used observability tooling (metrics, tracing, logging) to debug and improve production systems.
Company:
We apply world-class software engineering to a warfighting domain of persistent conflict. Founded in 2024, the company is headquartered in Arlington, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.

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