ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Senior Federal Government Software Engineer Jobs

SAIC

Senior Principal Software Engineer

Patuxent River, MD · Hybrid

$160K - $200K/yr

ORA_ON_SITE Description SAIC is seeking a Senior Principal Software Engineer for the Naval Air ... The software engineer will work as part of the PMA-275 government Software Integrated Product Team ...

SAIC

Senior Software Engineer

Hampton, VA · Remote

$121K - $160K/yr

Software Subcategory: SW Engineer Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: No Minimum Clearance ... S. federal government. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsSenior Federal Government Software Engineer Jobs

Senior Federal Government Software Engineer information

See salary details

$75.5K

$143.3K

$192K

How much do senior federal government software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior federal government software engineer in the United States is $143,292.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,500.00 and $161,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Federal Government Software Engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Senior Federal Government Software Engineers often navigate complex security requirements, legacy systems integration, and strict regulatory compliance. Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and communicating technical solutions to non-technical stakeholders are also frequent challenges. Staying up to date with evolving federal standards and adopting agile methodologies can help address these issues. Building strong relationships with project managers, cybersecurity experts, and other engineers is key to successfully delivering robust, compliant solutions.

What is the difference between Senior Federal Government Software Engineer vs Federal Government Software Developer?

AspectSenior Federal Government Software EngineerFederal Government Software Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; often requires security clearanceBachelor's in CS or related; security clearance may be preferred
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and testing software systems within government agenciesWriting and maintaining code for government projects, often under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageFederal agencies, defense, intelligence, and related sectorsFederal agencies, defense contractors, and government IT departments

The main difference is that Senior Federal Government Software Engineers typically lead complex projects, require more experience, and may have additional responsibilities like system architecture. Developers focus on coding and implementing features under guidance. Both roles require security clearances and work within government IT environments, but engineers often have a broader scope and higher level of expertise.

What does a Senior Federal Government Software Engineer do?

A Senior Federal Government Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains complex software systems used by federal agencies. They lead software development projects, ensure compliance with federal security and quality standards, and collaborate with stakeholders to align technical solutions with government objectives. Their role often includes mentoring junior engineers and staying updated on emerging technologies and regulations relevant to federal IT environments.

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

To thrive as a Senior Federal Government Software Engineer, you need advanced programming skills, a degree in computer science or related field, and experience with large-scale software projects in a federal environment. Familiarity with security protocols, Agile or DevSecOps methodologies, and tools such as Java, Python, AWS GovCloud, and federal compliance systems (e.g., FISMA, FedRAMP) is typically required. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills set top performers apart, as they often lead interdisciplinary teams and coordinate with stakeholders. These skills and qualifications are crucial for delivering secure, reliable software solutions that meet strict government standards and mission-critical needs.
More about Senior Federal Government Software Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Federal Government Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Federal Government Software Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Federal Government Software Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Federal Government Software Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Federal Government Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Federal Government Software Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Federal Government Software Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Federal Government Software Engineer jobs are:
Senior Federal Government Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Federal Government Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,292 per year, or $68.9 per hour.
Senior Software Engineer

Senior Software Engineer

Science Applications International Corporation

Lexington Park, MD

$138K - $182K/yr

Other

Posted 12 days ago

SAIC rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 78 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

70th of 203 rated it services

Job description

SAIC is seeking to hire for the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) PMA-275 Software Support Activity (SSA) for the V-22 Osprey.  The Senior Software Engineer will work as part of the PMA-275 government Software integrated product team responsible for modifying aircraft and ground system software to correct defects, implement new capability, and improve aircraft readiness and maintainability.  As part of the PMA-275 software team, the software engineer will represent software interests as a liaison to PMA-275 IPTs for both Survivability and Power & Propulsion. The software engineer will play a crucial role in planning, execution, and completion of all tasking assigned to the software team.

This is an ONSITE role in Patuxent River, Maryland. Must be local to area.

JOB DUTIES:

  • Conduct software acquisition tasking in support PMA-275 in the Software Integrated Product Team (IPT).
  • Conduct technical analysis of V-22 avionics systems and software issues affecting fleet operators and maintainers.
  • Coordinate with PMA-275 Survivability IPT and other NAVAIR organizations on technical, cost, and schedule impacts of software changes.  Identify risk and mitigation strategies.
  • Aid in development of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), including writing statements of work and conducting technical reviews of contractor proposals.
  • Review contractor technical submissions.
  • Provide technical inputs on schedules, integration, and test activities of industry suppliers and other government organizations as it relates to V-22 avionics and ground system software.
  • Participate in SETR design reviews and technical reviews as part of the software development process.
  • Apply knowledge of current avionics development standards including MIL-STD-882E, DO-178C and Design Assurance Levels for mission-critical code.
  • Provide technical briefings and status reporting to Software IPT leadership, senior military officers, and Program leadership at PMA-275.
SAIC is a premier mission integrator focused on advancing the power of technology and innovation to serve and protect our world. Our robust portfolio of offerings across the defense, space, intelligence, and civilian markets includes secure high-end solutions in mission IT, enterprise IT, engineering services, and professional services. We integrate emerging technology, rapidly and securely, into mission critical operations that modernize and enable critical national imperatives.

We are approximately 23,000 strong; driven by mission, united by purpose, and inspired by opportunities. SAIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, SAIC has annual revenues of approximately $7.3 billion. For more information, visit saic.com. For ongoing news, please visit our newsroom.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Bachelors in Mathematics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering or similar discipline and five (5) years or more experience in relevant software development or system integration architecture; Masters and three (3) years or more experience; PhD and 0 years related experience.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Must be able to obtain a Secret Clearance after start.
  • Relevant experience should include demonstrated software development, system architecture design, or system integration experience. Experience including all phases of the software development process/lifecycle (e.g., requirements analysis, design, development, component testing, integration, integration testing, deployment/installation, and sustainment) is preferred.
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

DESIRED SKILLS:

  • Masters degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar discipline.
  • Previous experience with avionics, turbine engines, or electronic warfare systems.
  • Active Secret clearance is preferred. 

What SAIC employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply