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Senior Research Software Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA

IonQ

Senior Research Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$145K - $191K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead ... Develop, maintain, and support the research and development (R&D) software used by our scientists ...

IonQ

Senior Research Software Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$133K - $175K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead ... Develop, maintain, and support the research and development (R&D) software used by our scientists ...

Red Hat, Inc.

Software Engineer - Research

Boston, MA · On-site

$111 - $177/hr

## Software Engineer - ResearchApplyremote type: Hybridlocations: Bostonposted on: Posted Todayjob ... Develop and transition research and prototype software and systems solutions to production ...

Northeastern University

Sr Research Scientist

Burlington, MA · On-site

$107K - $136K/yr

Responsibilities include providing technical contributions as a software engineer for a wide range ... A close working relationship with and support of KRI Senior R&D Engineers/Scientists for government ...

NorthEastern

Sr Research Scientist

Burlington, MA · On-site

$107K - $136K/yr

Responsibilities include providing technical contributions as a software engineer for a wide range ... A close working relationship with and support of KRI Senior R&D Engineers/Scientists for government ...

NorthEastern

Senior Research Scientist

Burlington, MA · On-site

$107K - $136K/yr

Responsibilities include providing technical contributions as a software engineer for a wide range ... A close working relationship with and support of KRI Senior R&D Engineers/Scientists for government ...

Redhat

Software Engineer - Research

Boston, MA · On-site +1

$110K - $177K/yr

... software using Agile processes with a distributed team; development tools, repositories and CI/CD platforms; and working as a primary advisor for users and design engineers in a research or ...

Red Hat, LLC

Software Engineer - Research

Boston, MA · On-site

$111 - $177/hr

... software using Agile processes with a distributed team; development tools, repositories and CI/CD platforms; and working as a primary advisor for users and design engineers in a research or ...

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Senior Research Software Engineer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$82K

$155.7K

$208.6K

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

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior research software engineer in Boston, MA is $155,672.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $133,100.00 and $175,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior research software engineer?

A Senior Research Software Engineer (SRSE) is an experienced professional who bridges the gap between scientific research and software development. They work closely with researchers to design, implement, and maintain software tools and systems that support complex scientific studies or experiments. SRSEs not only write code but also help ensure that research software is robust, reproducible, and scalable. Their role often involves mentoring junior engineers, collaborating across multidisciplinary teams, and staying updated on the latest advancements in technology and research methodologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior research software engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Research Software Engineer, you need advanced programming skills, experience in algorithm development, and a strong background in computer science or a related field, often demonstrated by a graduate degree. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), cloud computing platforms, and research-focused tools such as Jupyter or MATLAB is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams set outstanding candidates apart. These skills are crucial for driving innovative research, delivering reliable software solutions, and facilitating productive collaboration between engineering and scientific stakeholders.

How do senior research software engineers balance research objectives with software development best practices?

Senior Research Software Engineers often work at the intersection of scientific research and advanced software engineering. They are challenged to produce robust, maintainable code while supporting fast-paced, evolving research goals. Balancing these demands typically involves close collaboration with scientists to understand their requirements, iteratively developing prototypes, and gradually refining them into production-quality tools. This collaborative and flexible approach ensures that research progress is not hindered, while also maintaining a high standard of software quality and reproducibility.

What is the difference between Senior Research Software Engineer vs Research Software Engineer?

AspectSenior Research Software EngineerResearch Software Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's/PhD in CS or related field, experience in research environmentsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related field, less emphasis on extensive experience
Work EnvironmentLeading research projects, mentoring junior staff, developing complex softwareSupporting research teams, developing prototypes, implementing algorithms
Industry UsageAcademic institutions, research labs, tech companies with R&D focusAcademic research, government labs, industry R&D teams

The main difference is that Senior Research Software Engineers typically have more experience, lead projects, and mentor others, while Research Software Engineers focus on supporting research activities and developing software solutions. Both roles require strong programming skills and research understanding, but the senior role involves greater responsibility and leadership.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Software Engineer jobs in Boston, MA?

The most popular types of Research Software Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:

Senior Research Software Engineer jobs near you

Senior Research Software Engineer

United States Digital Space LLC

Boston, MA • On-site

$100 - $130/hr

Other

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

the company | Senior Research Software Engineer | Boston, MA (ONSITE - Hybrid) | Full-time

We are looking for a Senior Research Software Engineer for our Global R&D team at the company. You'd build the software our quantum scientists rely on for lab orchestration, experiment data, and hardware control. If you've written software that talks to real instruments and wrangles real, messy, physical-world data, this might be for you.

Looking for: 5+ years of experience, strong Python skills, ownership of the full software development lifecycle, observability, and CI/CD. Hardware or lab-data experience is the bar.

No physics background is required!

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