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Senior Software Developer Jobs in State College, PA

Sr.Net Developer

State College, PA · On-site

$53.75 - $68.50/hr

Senior .NET Developer State College, PA 6-12 months 07/06/2015 Senior .NET developer with experience building custom GIS applications. Must have hands-on experience with ArcGIS by Esri.

Rate: 70-100/hr DOE and compensation type On-Site in State College PA ML/Data Science Software Engineering role, you will design, develop, and test AI/ML, Java and Python code in a Linux, Agile ...

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Senior Software Developer information

See State College, PA salary details

$15

$60

$85

How much do senior software developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior software developer in State College, PA is $60.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51.25 and $67.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a senior software developer?

To thrive as a Senior Software Developer, you need deep expertise in programming languages, software architecture, and problem-solving, typically backed by a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Proficiency with development frameworks, version control systems like Git, and cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure is standard, and certifications in these areas can be beneficial. Leadership, strong communication, and mentoring abilities set standout candidates apart in this role. These skills ensure that complex projects are delivered efficiently, code quality is maintained, and junior team members are effectively guided for overall team success.

What does a senior software developer do?

As a Senior Software Developer, you’ll typically be responsible for leading complex development projects, designing technical solutions, and mentoring junior team members. Daily tasks often include writing and reviewing code, participating in architecture discussions, collaborating with cross-functional teams (such as QA, product management, and DevOps), and troubleshooting high-level technical issues. You may also be involved in setting coding standards, conducting code reviews, and helping to plan sprints or project roadmaps.

What is a senior software developer?

Senior Software Developers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and maintain complex software applications. They often lead development teams, mentor junior developers, and make critical architectural decisions. Their responsibilities include writing high-quality code, troubleshooting technical issues, and ensuring that software projects meet performance and security standards. With deep expertise in programming languages and software engineering principles, they play a key role in delivering successful technology solutions for organizations.

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

AspectSenior Software DeveloperSoftware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field; experience often 5+ yearsBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; similar experience levels
Work EnvironmentCollaborates on complex projects, mentors juniors, leads technical effortsDesigns, develops, tests software; may work on specific modules or systems
Industry UsageCommonly used in tech companies, startups, and enterprise firmsWidely used across industries, often interchangeable with developer roles

The main difference is that Senior Software Developers typically have more experience, leadership responsibilities, and focus on complex project oversight, while Software Engineers may focus more on designing and implementing software solutions. Both roles require similar credentials and are integral in software development teams, but Senior Software Developers often take on mentorship and strategic tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Developer jobs in State College, PA? The most popular types of Software Developer jobs in State College, PA are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Developer jobs in State College, PA? For Senior Software Developer jobs in State College, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near State College, PA are hiring for Senior Software Developer jobs? Cities near State College, PA with the most Senior Software Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Software Developer job openings in State College, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,575 per year, or $60.4 per hour.

Software Engineer

Penn State University

University Park, PA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Penn State University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

228th of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
POSITION SPECIFICS
We are seeking a Software Engineer to join the Applied Communications team in the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. In this role, you'll implement and integrate advanced algorithms to support cutting-edge research applications addressing critical Department of Defense challenges.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes applications from transitioning military members.
You will:
  • Develop software solutions for cutting-edge research in communications systems
  • Design applications, libraries, interfaces, and device drivers for diverse system-level requirements
  • Implement and test algorithms across multiple domains: underwater, terrestrial, aerial, and space-based platforms
  • Create signal processing software for advanced communication systems
  • Apply your technical expertise to solve complex national security challenges
  • Expand your skills into new and adjacent technology areas

Additional responsibilities of higher-level position includes:
  • Provide technical leadership on software engineering projects
  • Mentor team members in technical skills, project management, and business development
  • Present technical concepts and project updates to external stakeholders and collaborators

Required Skills/Experience areas include:
  • Strong computer science fundamentals: data structures, algorithms, networking, distributed systems, memory management, security, databases, and hardware integration
  • Proficiency in C++ and C with strong object-oriented programming principles
  • High-performance algorithm design
  • Software architecture and infrastructure design expertise
  • Advanced Linux environment proficiency
  • Modern development tools: Git, GitLab, Atlassian suite (JIRA, Confluence, Bamboo, Artifactory, BitBucket, SonarQube)
  • Containerization and orchestration experience with Docker and Kubernetes
  • Understanding of mobile app and front-end UI/UX development
  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts
  • Demonstrated problem-solving skills with structured approaches to solution development

Preferred Skills/Experience areas include:
  • Master's degree in Computer Science or related field
  • Management of multiple concurrent projects and priorities
  • Signal processing and algorithm development
  • Cellular and/or wireless communications
  • FPGA programming
  • Database expertise: SQL, NoSQL, and/or Big Data systems
  • MATLAB, Python, and/or Java
  • CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
  • Translation of business requirements into technical specifications
  • ATAK or WinTAK plug-in development experience
  • Cyber compliance policies and implementation requirements
  • Offline storage, threading, and performance optimization
  • Additional software languages (Rust, Bash, JavaScript, HTML, CSS)
  • Software libraries (Google Protocol Buffers, ZeroMQ, FastAPI, pytest, React, Tailwind)
  • Software tools (AWS, Vim, CMake, GDB)

Your working location will be fully on-site in State College, PA. Questions about work flexibility should be discussed with the hiring manager during interviews.
This role requires periodic travel required for field testing with small research teams
MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS
If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Software (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science14+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as Research and Development Engineer - Software (ARL) - Advanced Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science5+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:None
ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL):Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $121,704.00 - $231,000.00.
Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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