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Senior Programmer Jobs in Baltimore, MD (NOW HIRING)

Sr DevOps Engineer (Hybrid)

Baltimore, MD · On-site

$129K - $165K/yr

Job Title: Sr DevOps Engineer (Hybrid) Duration: Full Time Location: Baltimore Maryland The Sr DevOps Engineer will be responsible for evolving the technology supporting the Bureau of Revenue ...

MQ Senior Engineer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

As an MQ Senior Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the IBM MQ infrastructure that enables reliable and efficient messaging communication. Your role will ...

The Senior Engineer position involves advanced or lead-level engineering work responsible for providing efficient, timely, and realistic solutions to complex engineering issues related to water and ...

Senior Engineer

MD · On-site

$81K - $159K/yr

The Senior Engineer position involves advanced or lead-level engineering work responsible for providing efficient, timely, and realistic solutions to complex engineering issues related to water and ...

Senior DevOps Engineer (Hybrid)

Baltimore, MD · On-site

$129K - $165K/yr

Senior DevOps Engineer (Hybrid) Location: Baltimore, MD Duration: Fulltime The Senior Software Engineer will lead in the delivery and maintenance of mission-critical applications and services that ...

The Senior Engineering Management Specialist helps coordinate cross-functional teams, track progress against milestones, manage risks and dependencies, and support disciplined delivery outcomes. This ...

Showing results 21-40

Senior Programmer information

See Baltimore, MD salary details

$13

$51

$71

How much do senior programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior programmer in Baltimore, MD is $51.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43.70 and $62.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do senior programmers typically mentor junior team members, and what impact does this have on team productivity?

Senior Programmers often play a key mentorship role by guiding junior developers through code reviews, pair programming, and sharing best practices. They provide technical leadership and help troubleshoot complex issues, ensuring code quality and knowledge transfer across the team. This mentorship not only fosters professional growth for junior members but also contributes to stronger team cohesion and faster problem-solving, ultimately boosting overall productivity and project success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior programmer?

To thrive as a Senior Programmer, you need advanced proficiency in programming languages, solid software development experience, and often a relevant degree or equivalent expertise. Familiarity with frameworks, version control systems like Git, and agile development tools is typically required, and certifications in cloud platforms or specific technologies can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills enable effective collaboration and mentorship within development teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering robust, scalable solutions and driving technical excellence in complex projects.

What is a senior programmer?

Senior Programmers are experienced software developers who take on advanced coding tasks and often provide technical leadership within their teams. They are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining complex software systems, as well as mentoring junior developers. Senior Programmers typically have strong problem-solving skills, deep knowledge of programming languages, and experience with software architecture. They may also be involved in code reviews, setting best practices, and collaborating with other departments to deliver high-quality software solutions.

What is the difference between Senior Programmer vs Software Developer?

AspectSenior ProgrammerSoftware Developer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; extensive coding experienceBachelor's degree often preferred; coding skills essential
Work EnvironmentDevelopment teams, project-based work, often in tech or software companiesSimilar environments; involved in designing, coding, testing software
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across tech, finance, healthcare, and other industries requiring software solutionsCommonly used in software firms, startups, and corporate IT departments

While both roles involve coding and software development, a Senior Programmer typically has more experience, takes on complex tasks, and may mentor junior staff. A Software Developer focuses on designing and building software applications, often with less emphasis on leadership or advanced technical oversight.

What are the most commonly searched types of Programmer jobs in Baltimore, MD? The most popular types of Programmer jobs in Baltimore, MD are:
What cities near Baltimore, MD are hiring for Senior Programmer jobs? Cities near Baltimore, MD with the most Senior Programmer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Programmer job openings in Baltimore, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 11% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,044 per year, or $51.9 per hour.

Full-time

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Re-posted 10 days ago


Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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Job description

Description
Are you a senior or staff-level systems programmer, engine programmer, or low-level C++ engineer who has built core technology for complex real-time software?
Do you enjoy shaping runtime architecture, improving performance, mentoring engineers, and turning difficult technical problems into reliable systems?
If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.
We are seeking a senior game systems programmer to help us advance interactive 3D training and simulation capabilities for vital national security challenges. You'll join a multidisciplinary team moving ambitious ideas from early designs to robust game-engine-based capabilities. This is an opportunity to bring game-industry systems programming, engine architecture, and system performance into an environment focused on public service and long-term mission impact.
As a Senior Game Systems Programmer...
  • Your primary responsibility will be to architect, develop, test, and improve real-time software systems that support simulation, interactive 3D visualization, scenario execution, and training.
  • You will provide technical leadership for performance-sensitive C++ software involving engine systems, physics models, runtime architecture, distributed simulation, data flow, networking, interaction, or visualization.
  • You will define and evolve foundational systems such as state management, resource loading, streaming, serialization, platform abstraction, scenario control, synchronization, messaging, simulation execution, or data pipelines.
  • You will integrate game engines, custom software frameworks, physics models, simulation components, rendering systems, data sources, hardware interfaces, and external tools into reliable interactive capabilities.
  • You will profile, debug, and improve complex software systems across CPU, GPU, memory, networking, storage, latency, throughput, load time, and real-time frame-budget constraints.
  • You will mentor engineers, guide architecture and code reviews, communicate technical tradeoffs, and help the team build software that is performant, maintainable, testable, and usable.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, game development, physics, mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
  • Have 8+ years of professional software development experience in game-engine systems, real-time simulation, visualization, interactive tools, engine development, graphics, distributed systems, robotics, extended reality, or related performance-sensitive software.
  • Have significant experience developing clear and maintainable, high-performance C++ software for real-time, interactive, simulation, engine, or other performance-sensitive applications.
  • Have experience designing software architectures for complex technical systems such as game engines, simulation systems, distributed applications, visualization platforms, interactive tools, robotics systems, or other real-time software platforms.
  • Have deep experience in one or more systems programming areas such as memory management, multithreading, job systems, streaming, serialization, networking, platform abstraction, resource management, rendering integration, physics integration, tools, build systems, data pipelines, or large-scale C++ architecture.
  • Have experience leading technical efforts, mentoring engineers, reviewing designs, communicating technical tradeoffs, and helping teams converge on practical, maintainable solutions.
  • Are willing and able to travel occasionally for meetings, demonstrations, integration events, or partner engagements.
  • Are able to obtai Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Have senior or staff-level experience as a systems programmer, engine programmer, platform programmer, rendering programmer, tools programmer, physics programmer, networking programmer, or core technology programmer in the game industry.
  • Have experience with Unity, Unreal Engine, or proprietary, in-house, open-source, or custom real-time 3D engine technology.
  • Have experience with physics modeling, distributed simulation, multiplayer networking, state synchronization, deterministic simulation, scenario systems, terrain systems, geospatial visualization, or simulation-based training systems.
  • Have experience modernizing, refactoring, stabilizing, or extending large C++ systems while supporting active users, prototypes, interactive systems, or mission operations.
  • Have experience building tools, asset pipelines, debugging utilities, automated tests, build systems, or workflows used by engineers, analysts, designers, artists, or other technical users.
  • Hold an active Secret.

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$290,000 Annually

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