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Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs in Washington

Senior Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$140K - $185K/yr

Overview Senior Software Engineer LOCATION: Arlington, VA JOB STATUS : Full-time CLEARANCE : Top ... Knowledge and experience in software design, development, test, and project management is required

Senior Software Engineer

Arlington, VA

$140K - $185K/yr

Overview Senior Software Engineer LOCATION: Arlington, VA JOB STATUS : Full-time CLEARANCE : Top ... Knowledge and experience in software design, development, test, and project management is required

Senior Software Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site +1

$127K - $168K/yr

Work within the Agile/Scrum framework for software development (Atlassian tool suite desired ... senior developers, and system engineers Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

Senior SDE, S3 Request Processing

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$140K - $185K/yr

As a Senior Software Development Engineer in S3, you get to deliver these capabilities and delight our customers through teams of talented engineers and leaders. Key job responsibilities S3 Request ...

Senior SDE, S3 Request Processing

Arlington, VA · On-site +1

$140K - $185K/yr

As a Senior Software Development Engineer in S3, you get to deliver these capabilities and delight our customers through teams of talented engineers and leaders. Key job responsibilities S3 Request ...

Senior Software Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$134K - $177K/yr

Additionally, the Sr. Software Engineer addresses and resolves software issues reports, employing suitable software development and design methodologies tailored to the development environment.

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Software Development Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$85.5K

$162.3K

$217.5K

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

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software development engineer in Washington is $162,292.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $138,700.00 and $182,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Senior Software Development Engineer, you need deep expertise in software engineering principles, advanced programming skills in languages such as Java, Python, or C++, and a bachelor's or higher degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure, and experience with CI/CD pipelines are typically required, and certifications in these technologies can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help you mentor junior engineers and collaborate effectively across teams. These competencies are critical for delivering robust solutions, driving technical innovation, and ensuring project success in complex engineering environments.

What are some common challenges Senior Software Development Engineers face when leading cross-functional projects?

Senior Software Development Engineers often encounter challenges such as aligning priorities across diverse teams, managing technical debt while delivering new features, and ensuring effective communication among stakeholders. Balancing hands-on coding with mentorship responsibilities and architectural decision-making can also be demanding. Success in this role typically requires strong interpersonal skills, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to adapt to shifting project requirements while maintaining high code quality.

What are Senior Software Development Engineers?

Senior Software Development Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and maintain complex software systems. They often lead technical projects, mentor junior developers, and ensure software quality and best practices within a team. Their responsibilities include writing code, conducting code reviews, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and solving challenging technical problems. Senior Software Development Engineers typically have several years of industry experience and a deep understanding of software engineering principles.

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

AspectSenior Software Development EngineerSoftware Development Engineer
ExperienceTypically 5+ years, with leadership responsibilitiesEntry to mid-level, 1-3 years of experience
ResponsibilitiesDesigning complex systems, mentoring juniors, leading projectsImplementing features, fixing bugs, collaborating on code
Skills & CertificationsProficiency in multiple programming languages, system design, often with certificationsStrong coding skills, foundational knowledge, less emphasis on certifications
Work EnvironmentOften leads teams, involved in architecture decisionsFocused on individual contributions, team collaboration

The main difference between a Senior Software Development Engineer and a Software Development Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership. Seniors typically lead projects and mentor others, while juniors focus on coding and task completion. Both roles are vital in software development teams, with seniors bringing more strategic input and mentorship.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Development Engineer jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Software Development Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Senior Software Development Engineer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Senior Software Development Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Software Development Engineer job openings in Washington as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $162,292 per year, or $78 per hour.
Software Development Engineer

Software Development Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.

Mclean, VA • On-site

$112K - $257K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Booz Allen Hamilton rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 57 rated business consultants


Job description

Software Development Engineer
The Opportunity:
As a lead software engineer, you can resolve a problem with a complete end-to-end solution in a fast and agile environment. If you're looking for the chance to not just develop software, but to help create a solution that will make a difference, we need you on our team. We're looking for an engineer like you with the skills needed to develop software and systems from vision to production ready.
This role is more than just coding. As a Software Development Engineer at Booz Allen, you'll use your passion to learn new tools and techniques and identify needed system improvements. You will lead a team of software engineers to help them develop professionally, review their work, and provide suggestions for improvement. You'll help our team and customers overcome their most difficult challenges at the edge using the latest architectural approaches, tools, and technologies. You'll help make sure the solution developed by the team considers the current architecture and operating environment, as well as future functionality and enhancements. Work with us as we shape systems for the better. Due to the nature of work performed within this facility, U.S. citizenship is required.
Join us. The world can't wait.
You Have:
  • 5+ years of experience with software engineering using low-level system languages such as Rust, C, C++, or Go and high-level scripting languages such as Python or Bash
  • Experience building and operating a revenue-generating application or service
  • Experience designing the architecture and containerized services with Kubernetes across cloud and on-premise environments
  • Experience with AI-assisted software development tools and practices, such as Spec Driven Development, code copilots, agentic harnesses, and automated tests to increase delivery velocity responsibly
  • Experience developing software within an Agile framework and DevSecOps infrastructure as part of a CI/CD pipeline
  • Knowledge of authentication, authorization, and security best practices
  • Knowledge of networking fundamentals, protocols, and routing
  • Knowledge of modern hypervisors such as KVM, virtualization, containerization, resource management, and security isolation
  • Ability to display a personal or professional GitHub profile demonstrating projects
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or Engineering and 5+ years of experience in software development, or 7+ years of experience in software development in lieu of a degree

Nice If You Have:
  • Experience providing technical leadership to small teams of junior developers
  • Experience with code quality and static analysis tools such as SonarQube, Clippy, cargo-deny, or cargo-audit
  • Experience with secure coding practices and vulnerability remediation
  • Experience with cloud-to-edge or tactical edge systems
  • Experience developing external customer market facing products
  • Experience supporting classified environments
  • Knowledge of Systems Modeling Language (SysML), DoD Architecture Framework (DoDAF), and Unified Architecture Framework (UAF)
  • Master's degree

Compensation
At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen's benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.
Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $112,800.00 to $257,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen's total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.
Identity Statement
As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.
Candidate AI Usage Policy
AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.
Work Model
Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration, whether it occurs in person or virtually. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings.
  • Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.
  • Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility.
  • Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

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About Booz Allen Hamilton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Booz Allen Hamilton is a leading provider of management and technology consulting services to the US government in defense, intelligence, and civil markets. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, the firm also serves major corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. Founded in 1914 by Edwin G. Booz, the company has a long-standing tradition of helping clients achieve success by delivering a wide range of consulting services that include strategic planning, human capital and learning, communication, systems development, and others. The company's mission is to empower people to change the world, and it has a reputation for maintaining the highest standards of integrity and-excellence.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1914