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Senior Software Engineer Startup Jobs in Washington, DC

Leonardo DRS

Senior Software Engineer

Germantown, MD · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

Senior Software Engineer Location: Germantown, MD, US, 20876 Job ID: 115048 DRS RADA Technologies ... startup-speed to enterprise-grade without sacrificing our ability to move quickly and adapt. Your ...

Brand.AI

Senior Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

About you We're seeking a Senior Software Engineer to help design and build the infrastructure that ... Startup mindset: autonomous, pragmatic, comfortable with ambiguity * Genuine curiosity about AI ...

Gridpoint

Senior Software Engineer

Reston, VA

$127K - $168K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer shall perform with a high degree of independence and expertise to implement solutions for a variety of complex software products/features... both wholly new efforts and ...

Systek

Senior Software Engineer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$120K - $159K/yr

SENIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER The company is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to provide SETA support in Hanover, MD. RESPONSIBILITIES * Design, develop and install software solutions. * Build high ...

PEMCCO, Inc.

Senior Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$68.43 - $112.91/hr

PEMCCO is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to provide technical leadership in the design, development, integration, testing, and sustainment of software applications and systems supporting critical ...

Gridpoint

Senior Software Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$127K - $168K/yr

The Senior Software Engineer shall perform with a high degree of independence and expertise to implement solutions for a variety of complex software products/features... both wholly new efforts and ...

PEMCCO

Senior Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

PEMCCO is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to provide technical leadership in the design, development, integration, testing, and sustainment of software applications and systems supporting critical ...

PEMCCO

Senior Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$68.43 - $112.91/hr

PEMCCO is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to provide technical leadership in the design, development, integration, testing, and sustainment of software applications and systems supporting critical ...

PEMCCO, Inc.

Senior Software Engineer

Washington, DC

$68.43 - $112.91/hr

PEMCCO is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to provide technical leadership in the design, development, integration, testing, and sustainment of software applications and systems supporting critical ...

Leonardo DRS

Senior Software Engineer

Germantown, MD · On-site

$107K - $144K/yr

Join our dynamic radar defense company as a Senior Software Engineer where you'll drive technical ... startup-speed to enterprise-grade without sacrificing our ability to move quickly and adapt. Your ...

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All JobsSoftware Engineer Startup JobsSenior Software Engineer Startup JobsSenior Software Engineer Startup Jobs in Washington, DC

Senior Software Engineer Startup information

See Washington, DC salary details

$85.5K

$162.3K

$217.5K

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

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software engineer startup in Washington, DC 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 does a senior software engineer do at a startup?

A Senior Software Engineer at a startup is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the core software products or services. They often take on a broad range of tasks, including coding, code reviews, system architecture, and mentoring junior team members. In a startup environment, they may also contribute to product decisions, help set technical direction, and quickly adapt to changing priorities. Their role is critical in building scalable, reliable solutions while fostering innovation and collaboration within a small, fast-paced team.

What are some unique challenges senior software engineers face when working at a startup compared to a larger company?

Senior Software Engineers at startups often navigate a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment where priorities can shift quickly. Unlike at larger organizations with established processes and specialized teams, startup engineers may wear multiple hats, handling everything from architecture decisions to hands-on coding and even DevOps tasks. This role typically requires a high degree of autonomy and the ability to make impactful technical decisions with limited resources. The collaborative nature means frequent interaction with product managers, designers, and often even company leadership, creating opportunities for broad influence but also demanding strong communication and adaptability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior software engineer at a startup, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Software Engineer at a startup, you need advanced programming abilities, architectural design experience, and a solid understanding of software development lifecycles, typically backed by a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with modern frameworks, cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), version control systems (such as Git), and agile methodologies is essential, with certifications in relevant technologies being advantageous. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication skills help you navigate the dynamic startup environment and mentor junior team members. These skills are crucial to rapidly building scalable solutions, driving innovation, and supporting business growth in a fast-paced and often ambiguous setting.

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

AspectSenior Software Engineer StartupSoftware Engineer Startup
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in CS or related field, 3+ years experienceBachelor's in CS or related field, 0-2 years experience
Work EnvironmentFast-paced startup, leadership responsibilities, mentorshipCollaborative team, learning-focused, entry-level to mid-level tasks
Employer & Industry UsageTech startups, scale-ups, innovative projectsEarly-stage startups, product development teams
Common Search & ComparisonHigher responsibility, technical expertise, leadershipLearning opportunities, foundational skills, growth potential

The main difference between a Senior Software Engineer Startup and a Software Engineer Startup lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership. Senior Software Engineers typically have more experience, take on mentorship roles, and handle complex projects, while Software Engineers are often in entry to mid-level positions focused on skill development and supporting team tasks.

How much does a senior software engineer startup make?

A senior software engineer at a startup typically earns between $100,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on location, experience, and company size. Compensation may also include stock options or equity, especially in early-stage startups, and often requires proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, or JavaScript.

Is there a shortage of senior software engineers?

There is a high demand for senior software engineers across many industries due to the ongoing need for advanced technical skills, experience with programming languages like Java, Python, and cloud platforms, and leadership abilities. This demand often results in competitive salaries and opportunities, especially for those with strong problem-solving skills and experience in fast-paced startup environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer Startup jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Software Engineer Startup jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs in Washington, DC?

For Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs in Washington, DC are:

Senior Software Engineer Startup jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Software Engineer Startup job openings in Washington, DC as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 83% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $162,292 per year, or $78 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer

Prevail Recruiting

Washington, DC • Remote

$130K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

About the Opportunity


A rapidly growing healthcare technology company is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to help build and scale a mission-critical software platform used by millions of patients and healthcare providers nationwide. This organization is transforming the patient experience through innovative technology that simplifies complex healthcare journeys and improves engagement throughout the care process.

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative engineering team where developers play a meaningful role not only in building software but also in shaping technical solutions, influencing product outcomes, and helping drive the future direction of the platform.


Position Summary


The Senior Software Engineer will contribute across the full technology stack, partnering closely with Product, Design, Customer Success, and Engineering teams to develop scalable, reliable, and user-focused software solutions.

The ideal candidate is a strong full-stack engineer with expertise in modern web technologies, backend development, cloud infrastructure, and API integrations. This individual enjoys solving complex technical challenges while maintaining a strong focus on customer impact and product quality.


Key Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and maintain scalable full-stack applications using modern web technologies
  • Build and enhance backend services, APIs, and integrations supporting core platform functionality
  • Collaborate with Product, Design, and customer-facing teams to translate business needs into technical solutions
  • Develop and maintain integrations with third-party platforms and external services
  • Improve application performance, scalability, security, and reliability
  • Participate in architecture discussions and contribute to technical decision-making
  • Conduct code reviews and contribute to engineering best practices
  • Collaborate with DevOps and infrastructure teams to support cloud-based deployments and production operations
  • Troubleshoot production issues and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives
  • Help shape implementation strategies while balancing business goals, user experience, and technical excellence

Required Qualifications

  • 5+ years of professional software engineering experience
  • Strong experience developing applications using: Node.js, Typescript, React, SQL db
  • Experience designing and consuming APIs
  • Experience working with AWS cloud services
  • Strong understanding of software architecture, application performance, and scalability principles
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work effectively in a remote and collaborative environment
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience building software in healthcare, healthtech, SaaS, or other regulated industries
  • Experience working on customer-facing web applications at scale
  • Familiarity with cloud-native architectures and modern deployment practices
  • Experience collaborating closely with Product and Design teams
  • Prior experience in startup or high-growth technology environments
  • Exposure to AI-assisted development tools and modern engineering workflows