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Senior Software Development Manager Jobs in Washington

Senior Software Engineer

Columbia, MD ยท On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

Overview Senior Software Engineer Location: Columbia, Maryland Job Status: Full Time Clearance ... management tools (Jira, Bugzilla) * Experience working within an Agile development team PREFERRED ...

Overview Senior Software Engineer Location: Columbia, Maryland Job Status: Full Time Clearance ... management tools (Jira, Bugzilla) * Experience working within an Agile development team PREFERRED ...

Senior Software Engineer

Columbia, MD ยท On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Overview Senior Software Engineer Location: Columbia, Maryland Job Status: Full Time Clearance ... management tools (Jira, Bugzilla) * Experience working within an Agile development team PREFERRED ...

Sr. Software Engineer

Alexandria, VA ยท On-site

$130K - $172K/yr

Job Overview A Senior Software Engineer leads the software development team as they create software solutions for AEVEX. This person serves as an in-house expert, both for managers from other ...

Senior Software Engineer

Mclean, VA ยท Hybrid

$123K - $163K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer at Exiger, you will be responsible for designing and developing ... development * Cycle through proactive communication, documentation, and reporting * Manage CI/CD ...

Sr. Software Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD ยท On-site

$125K - $165K/yr

Senior Software Engineer 2HB Incorporated is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to support its ... Basic Qualification * 20+ years of software development experience, with a strong focus on backend ...

Senior Software Engineer

Mclean, VA ยท Hybrid

$123K - $163K/yr

As a Senior Software Engineer at Exiger, you will be responsible for designing and developing ... development * Cycle through proactive communication, documentation, and reporting * Manage CI/CD ...

Senior Software Developer

Linthicum, MD ยท On-site

$53.50 - $70.50/hr

Position Summary The client looking for a talented Senior Software Developer who currently possess a TS/SCI with CI Poly clearance and can hit the ground running as a key member of our Development ...

Senior Software Engineer

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$141K - $186K/yr

Participate in the full software development lifecycle, from requirements and design through ... Experience with software source control and configuration management tools. * Significant ...

Sr Software Development Engineer , AXU

Arlington, VA ยท On-site

$140K - $185K/yr

... managing and deploying ML products - Experience with Machine Learning and Large Language Model ... software development life cycle, including coding standards, code reviews, source control ...

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Senior Software Development Manager information

See Washington salary details

$51.5K

$164.2K

$252K

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

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software development manager in Washington is $164,163.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,400.00 and $195,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior Software Development Managers, and how can they be addressed?

Senior Software Development Managers often encounter challenges such as balancing technical leadership with people management, aligning team priorities with business goals, and fostering collaboration across multiple teams. Successfully addressing these challenges involves clear communication of vision, setting realistic expectations, and empowering team leads while providing guidance and support. Regular one-on-one meetings, effective delegation, and proactive problem-solving are also key strategies to ensure both team productivity and professional growth.

What is a Senior Software Development Manager?

A Senior Software Development Manager is a leadership professional responsible for overseeing multiple software development teams or large projects within an organization. They manage software engineers and development leads, define technical strategy, ensure project delivery, and align development goals with business objectives. This role often requires strong technical expertise, excellent communication skills, and proven experience in managing complex software projects. Senior Software Development Managers also play a key role in mentoring staff, optimizing development processes, and collaborating with stakeholders across the company.

What is the difference between Senior Software Development Manager vs Software Architect?

AspectSenior Software Development ManagerSoftware Architect
Primary FocusTeam leadership, project management, delivery oversightSystem design, technical architecture, technology strategy
Required SkillsLeadership, communication, project management, codingDeep technical expertise, system design, coding, architecture patterns
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with teams, manages projects, stakeholder communicationDesigns technical solutions, collaborates with development teams on architecture
Common CertificationsPMP, Scrum Master, Agile certificationsTOGAF, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect

The Senior Software Development Manager primarily oversees development teams and project delivery, focusing on leadership and management. In contrast, a Software Architect concentrates on designing technical systems and architecture. Both roles require strong technical skills, but their core responsibilities differ, with managers handling team and project oversight, and architects focusing on system design and strategy.

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

To thrive as a Senior Software Development Manager, you need extensive experience in software engineering, leadership, and project management, often backed by a computer science degree and prior technical lead roles. Familiarity with agile methodologies, cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), and tools such as Jira, Git, and CI/CD pipelines is typically required. Exceptional communication, team-building, and strategic thinking skills help you inspire teams and align projects with business goals. These skills are essential to successfully deliver complex software solutions, foster high-performing teams, and drive organizational growth.
What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Development Manager jobs in Washington? For Senior Software Development Manager jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Software Development Manager jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Software Development Manager jobs in Washington are:
Infographic showing various Senior Software Development Manager job openings in Washington as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $164,163 per year, or $78.9 per hour.
Senior Software Engineer JobID-0047

Senior Software Engineer JobID-0047

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT)

Arlington, VA โ€ข On-site

$164K - $273K/yr

Other

Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

About The Role:
Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking a Sr. Software Engineer I to be part of our Missile Defense team and based out of our Mount Laurel, NJ, Arlington, VA, or San Diego, CA locations.
The Sr Software Engineer will develop ATRT software tools to include missile defense dashboards and visualizations in React.js and third-party visualization libraries, agentic AI solutions, and analytics software. This role is expected to manage teams to handle all aspects of the software development lifecycle from requirements collection through user acceptance testing. The Sr Software Engineer is also expected to participate in the software development process alongside their team.
Clearance & Location Requirements:
  • All applicants must currently possess an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
  • This is an on-site position. Requiring at least 3 days in the office, based out of our Mount Laurel, NJ, Arlington, VA, or San Diego, CA locations.
Department Engineering Employment Type Full Time Location Arlington, VA Address 4401 Wilson Boulevard Suite 810, Arlington, Virginia, 22203 Open in Google Maps Workplace type Onsite Compensation $164,000 - $273,000 / year Key Responsibilities
What You Will Do:
  • Manage Risk and Security: Identify and mitigate technical and security risks through proactive testing, code reviews, and adherence to secure development practices. Participate in threat modeling sessions and follow established processes to ensure compliance with organizational and system-level standards.
  • Engineer and Architect Solutions: Design and develop high-fidelity prototypes to guide architectural decisions and evaluate solutions against business and operational goals. Architect end-to-end systems that balance project constraints with enterprise objectives, selecting languages, frameworks, and data structures to optimize performance and scalability. Apply advanced algorithms and design patterns to solve complex problems while adapting frameworks to maximize value and efficiency.
  • Test and Assure Quality: Design and implement comprehensive test strategies, including unit, integration, and performance testing, to ensure full system coverage. Lead complex incident investigations and coordinate cross-team issue resolution. Enhance monitoring, alerting, and diagnostic tools to improve detection and response, while proactively addressing systemic defects and guiding architectural improvements to ensure long-term software stability.
  • Leadership & Collaboration: Mentor junior engineers, participate in design/code reviews, and communicate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
Who You Are (Required):
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, cybersecurity, or related field (or equivalent full-time professional experience)
  • Minimum of 10 years' experience in software development
  • Ability to travel approximately 20%
  • Ability to develop software in Java, JavaScript, Python, or C++ (among other programming languages)
  • Experience architecting and building with relational databases such as SQL, Postgres databases like MongoDB.
  • Ability to decompose and document requirements and specifications
  • Understanding of distributed systems, algorithms, data structures, and software design patterns
  • Demonstrable experience leading all aspects of the Software Development Life Cycle
  • Experience with software testing and configuration management
  • Ability to convert vague customer requirements into a refined vision
  • Ability to identify and describe algorithmic complexity
  • Ability to work on-site with potential hybrid flexibility
What Makes You Stand Out
  • Experience with AI-assisted software development
  • Master's degree in Engineering or another technical field
  • Development, system integration, and test experience for complex software applications
  • Experience with testing software and test automation
  • Experience with containerized deployment technologies (Kubernetes, OpenShift, Docker etc.)
  • Experience with basic network concepts like VLANs, IP addressing schemes, and static routing
  • Experience with low-level software design and development, such as Digital Signal Processors, Single Board Computers, Field Programmable Gate Arrays, Operating System Drivers, or other related low-level development
If you see yourself reflected in this role and are excited about the impact you could make, we encourage you to apply! If you know someone who may be a great fit, please feel free to share this opportunity with your network.
Pay Range*: $164,000 - $273,000 or $198,000 - $328,000
This amount may not be reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, as pay is dependent on a candidate's experience, skills, and education. The posted range does not include bonuses, commissions, tips, or other benefits. IDT is often looking to place multiple candidates at various levels. Therefore, more than one pay range has been included, commensurate with experience.
Job Benefits
Why Work at Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT):
IDT is a growing company with a vibrant, entrepreneurial culture. We are headquartered in Arlington, VA with additional offices in Fall River, MA; Mount Laurel, NJ; and San Diego, CA. At each location, our employees work together in a modern, snack-filled, and social office space, designing innovative solutions for our defense industry customers. We offer employees competitive pay and benefits including:
  • Generous benefits package
  • Competitive PTO
  • Paid holidays
  • 401(k) with immediate vesting and matching
  • 9/80 optional schedule (2nd and 4th Friday off every month)
  • Tuition Assistance Reimbursement Program
  • Professional Development Resources
  • Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
  • Organization-Wide Monthly Tech Connect Events
  • Annual Employee Recognition Awards
  • Regular Social Events and Catered Lunches
EEO Statement:
IDT is an Equal Opportunity employer.
About Innovative Defense Technologies
Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT) is a leading defense technology company focused on rapidly delivering mission-critical software and systems solutions to the U.S. government. The company specializes in automation, digital engineering, and enabling the rapid integration of advanced capabilities into complex weapon and combat systems. These essential solutions empower the warfighter to field, operate, and sustain decisive capability at speed and scale.
At IDT, our employees are developing advanced mission-critical outcomes by consistently delivering high-quality results, fostering innovation, applying rigorous problem-solving, and effectively collaborating across multifaceted teams and stakeholders. Grounded in these competencies, IDT translates complex customer priorities into robust software solutions.
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