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Senior Java Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Senior Java Engineer Location: Annapolis Junction, MD Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph Salary: $180,000 - $235,000 + Comprehensive Benefits Build Mission-Critical Software ...

Senior Java Developer

Ashburn, VA

$58.50 - $74.75/hr

We are looking for a Senior Java Developer to manage the software development life cycle, from planning and prioritizing to testing and release and help with the migration of a COBOL app to Java.

Sr Java Developer

Herndon, VA

$58.75 - $75/hr

Company Description Sr. Java Developers * Term - Long Term - Min 6 months * Herndon VA u Core Java u Spring MVC and exposure to other frameworks u Java Script Library, JQuerry, Bootstrap, HTML5 u ...

Senior Java Developer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$57.75 - $73.75/hr

Senior Java Developer Location: McLean, VA Interview Type: On-site interview Requirement Senior Java Developer ICM BTO enterprise models technology needs a senior java developer to support growing ...

Sr Java Developer - Long-Term Contract (Government) Position Title: Sr Java Developer Work Arrangement: Onsite Worksite Address: Washington, DC Interviews: In Person Short Description: The Senior ...

Sr Java Developer

Herndon, VA

$58.75 - $75/hr

Role: Sr Java Developer Location:Herndon, VA Job Status:Fulltime Start Date: ASAP Mode of interview: Telephonic OR Skype Requirement: Experience in development of Enterprise Applications using Java ...

Senior Java Developer

Washington, DC

$64.75 - $82.75/hr

Senior Java Developer Employment Type: Onsite Annexa is currently working with DC Government's Office of the Chief Technology Officer and is seeking a Senior Java Developer with in-depth knowledge of ...

New

Senior Java Developer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$56.75 - $72.25/hr

Senior- Java Developer Location : 100% remote Duration: 1-year contract to begin with The Senior- Java Developer designs, develops, documents, unit-tests, implements and deploys web-based Java ...

Senior Java Developer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$56.75 - $72.25/hr

Senior- Java Developer Location : USA 100% remote Duration: 1-year contract to begin with Need 10 + Years of Experience only! The Senior- Java Developer designs, develops, documents, unit-tests ...

Sr Java Developer

Washington, DC · On-site

$64.75 - $82.75/hr

Role: Senior Java Developer - W2 Only 📍 Location: Washington, DC 🤝 Interview: In-person interview required 📄 Experience: 16+ years overall, including 10+ years in core Java/backend ...

New

Senior Java Engineer

Washington, DC

$64.75 - $82.75/hr

NIX based distributed systems Proficiency in Java and high concurrency distributed computing and ... software engineering best practices Qualifications developing, delivering and operating in ...

Java Developer

Rockville, MD

$52 - $67.25/hr

Sr. Java Developer The Senior Java Developer will work as the senior developer in the document management / workflow space. The types of projects they will work on are a mix of system replacement ...

Sr Java Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD

$137K - $180K/yr

Expertise in enterprise Java application development on Windows-based VMware infrastructure * Expertise with Python * Expertise Apache Solr with Zookeeper (including upgrading and migrating Solr ...

Sr Java Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$123K - $162K/yr

Expertise in enterprise Java application development on Windows-based VMware infrastructure * Expertise with Python * Expertise Apache Solr with Zookeeper (including upgrading and migrating Solr ...

Sr Java Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD

$137K - $180K/yr

Expertise in enterprise Java application development on Windows-based VMware infrastructure * Expertise with Python * Expertise Apache Solr with Zookeeper (including upgrading and migrating Solr ...

Sr Java Engineer

Reston, VA

$130K - $171K/yr

Expertise in enterprise Java application development on Windows-based VMware infrastructure * Expertise with Python * Expertise Apache Solr with Zookeeper (including upgrading and migrating Solr ...

Java Developer

Rockville, MD · On-site

$52 - $67.25/hr

Sr. Java Developer The Senior Java Developer will work as the senior developer in the document management / workflow space. The types of projects they will work on are a mix of system replacement ...

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Senior Java Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$12

$71

$97

How much do senior java engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior java engineer in Washington, DC is $71.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62.36 and $79.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Senior Java Engineers face when working on large-scale enterprise applications?

Senior Java Engineers often encounter challenges such as managing complex codebases, ensuring application scalability, and maintaining high performance under heavy loads. They are also responsible for implementing robust security practices and integrating new technologies without disrupting existing systems. Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and mentoring junior developers are crucial aspects of the role, as these responsibilities help maintain code quality and project momentum.

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

AspectSenior Java EngineerJava Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Java certifications (e.g., Oracle Certified Professional)Bachelor's in Computer Science or related field, Java certifications optional
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and maintaining complex Java applications, often in team leadership rolesDeveloping Java applications, focusing on coding and implementation
Industry UsageUsed across finance, tech, and enterprise sectors for large-scale projectsCommonly employed in software development firms, startups, and tech companies

While both roles involve Java programming, Senior Java Engineers typically handle complex system design, mentorship, and project leadership, whereas Java Developers focus more on coding and implementing features. The senior role often requires more experience and certifications, with a broader scope of responsibilities.

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

To thrive as a Senior Java Engineer, you need advanced proficiency in Java programming, strong knowledge of software design patterns, and a degree in computer science or related field. Experience with frameworks like Spring, Hibernate, build tools such as Maven or Gradle, and familiarity with cloud platforms and CI/CD systems are typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, leadership, and effective communication help you guide teams and collaborate with stakeholders. These skills are crucial for delivering robust, scalable software solutions and mentoring junior engineers in complex development environments.

What are Senior Java Engineers?

Senior Java Engineers are experienced software developers who specialize in designing, developing, and maintaining applications using the Java programming language. They often lead development teams, architect solutions, and ensure that software meets both technical and business requirements. Their responsibilities also include code reviews, mentoring junior developers, and optimizing application performance. Typically, they have several years of experience and a deep understanding of Java frameworks and best practices.
What are the most commonly searched types of Java Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Java Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various Senior Java Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $148,009 per year, or $71.2 per hour.

Sr. Java Engineer

Spark Recruiting

Annapolis, MD

$180K - $235K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Senior Java Engineer

Location: Annapolis Junction, MD
Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI with Full Scope Polygraph
Salary: $180,000 - $235,000 + Comprehensive Benefits

Build Mission-Critical Software That Matters

Are you a skilled Java engineer looking to tackle complex technical challenges while supporting national security initiatives? We're seeking a Senior Java Engineer to join a highly collaborative software engineering team developing scalable, high-performance applications that power critical missions.

This is an opportunity to work alongside some of the industry's top engineers, designing and building robust backend systems while influencing architecture, engineering standards, and technical direction.

Whether you're a seasoned engineer with decades of experience or a strong mid-level developer ready to take the next step, you'll have the chance to make a significant impact in an environment that values innovation, technical excellence, and continuous growth.

What You'll Do

  • Design, develop, and maintain scalable backend applications and services using Java.
  • Build and enhance RESTful APIs, microservices, and data access layers.
  • Collaborate with frontend and backend engineers to deliver high-quality software solutions.
  • Participate in architecture discussions and contribute to technical decision-making.
  • Evaluate and implement the right technologies for the problem—whether that's leveraging Spring and Hibernate or choosing lighter-weight alternatives.
  • Optimize application performance, reliability, and maintainability.
  • Conduct code reviews and promote engineering best practices.
  • Troubleshoot complex technical issues in production and development environments.
  • Work in an Agile environment focused on delivering mission-critical capabilities.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

  • 7+ years of professional software development experience with Java.
  • Strong understanding of core Java and JVM fundamentals.
  • Experience building RESTful APIs and backend services.
  • Hands-on experience with Spring Framework and Hibernate.
  • Strong knowledge of relational databases, data modeling, and schema design.
  • Experience designing scalable, maintainable software architectures.
  • Proficiency with Git and modern version control practices.
  • Experience working in Linux/Unix environments.
  • Strong debugging, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Experience participating in code reviews and maintaining high coding standards.
  • Familiarity with Agile software development methodologies.
  • Active TS/SCI Clearance with Full Scope Polygraph.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience driving architectural decisions and technical strategy.
  • Experience building lightweight, purpose-driven software solutions.
  • Knowledge of distributed systems and service-oriented architectures.
  • Experience with GitLab, Atlassian tools, and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Experience with automated testing, TDD, and quality-focused engineering practices.
  • Familiarity with MongoDB, Elasticsearch, or other NoSQL technologies.
  • Exposure to frontend frameworks such as React or Angular.
  • Experience delivering solutions in fast-paced, highly technical environments.
  • Desire to grow into technical leadership and long-term career opportunities.

Why Join Us?

  • Competitive compensation: $180K - $235K
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 401(k) with company participation
  • Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
  • Long-term career growth opportunities
  • Work alongside elite engineers solving complex challenges
  • Support impactful, mission-driven programs that make a difference

If you're passionate about building high-quality software, solving challenging problems, and working on meaningful projects with exceptional teammates, we'd love to hear from you.