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Senior Software Engineer Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

NOAO

Senior Systems Engineer and Software Architect

Hilo, HI · On-site

$128K - $174K/yr

NSF NOIRLab is seeking an experienced Senior Software Systems Architect to support the development ... Working with scientists, software engineers, systems engineers, and program stakeholders, you will ...

Cymertek

Software Engineer

Honolulu, HI · On-site

Software Engineer LOCATION Honolulu, HI 96815 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position requires full U.S. Citizenship) KEY SUMMARY We are seeking a talented and motivated Software ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Senior AI Software Engineer

Honolulu, HI · On-site

$121K - $159K/yr

R0244309 AI Software Engineer, Senior The Opportunity: As an experience d sof tware engineer, you know how to design, develop , and deliver production AI applications that demonstrate the practical ...

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Cymertek

C / C++ / Java Software Developer

Honolulu, HI · On-site

$48.50 - $65.25/hr

... Engineer, Backend Developer, Full Stack Developer, Systems Developer, Application Developer, Embedded Software Developer, Java Developer, C++ Developer, C Developer, Senior Software Developer ...

Booz Allen Hamilton

Software Engineer

Honolulu, HI · On-site

$69K - $158K/yr

Software Engineer The Opportunity: As a full stack developer, you can resolve a problem with a complete end-to-end solution in a fast, agile environment. If you're looking for the chance to not just ...

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All JobsSoftware Engineer JobsSenior Software Engineer JobsSenior Software Engineer Jobs in Hawaii

Senior Software Engineer information

See Hawaii salary details

$78.4K

$148.9K

$199.5K

How much do senior software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software engineer in Hawaii is $148,874.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,300.00 and $167,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are senior software engineers still in demand?

Senior software engineers remain in high demand due to ongoing digital transformation across industries, with expertise in programming languages, cloud computing, and system architecture highly valued. Companies seek experienced developers to lead projects, improve systems, and implement new technologies, ensuring strong job prospects for senior roles.

What is a good salary for a senior software engineer?

A senior software engineer's salary typically ranges from $100,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Higher salaries are common in tech hubs and for those with specialized skills in areas like cloud computing or machine learning.

What are Senior Software Engineers?

Senior Software Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and maintain complex software systems. They often lead technical projects, mentor junior team members, and make architectural decisions. Their role involves collaborating with stakeholders to understand requirements, ensuring code quality, and staying up-to-date with the latest technologies. Senior Software Engineers are expected to have strong problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of software development best practices.

What Is a Senior Software Engineer?

A senior software engineer designs, codes, tests, and maintains computer software. While these are your primary responsibilities as a senior software engineer, you may also have supervisory duties. These include overseeing a team of junior software engineers or developers. The senior software engineer title is sometimes used interchangeably with senior developer, and positions for both may share similar job duties and responsibilities. In general, software engineers are distinguished from developers in that software engineers apply engineering principles to software development.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior Software Engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills in areas like machine learning or distributed systems, and often working at large tech companies or in high-cost-of-living regions can earn $300,000 or more annually. Compensation may include base salary, bonuses, and stock options, especially for those in leadership or highly technical roles.

What are some common challenges Senior Software Engineers face when mentoring junior team members?

Senior Software Engineers often mentor junior colleagues, which can be incredibly rewarding but also presents challenges. Balancing mentorship with project deadlines can be demanding, as it requires strong time management and communication skills. Additionally, adapting explanations to different learning styles and levels of experience can be tricky. However, effective mentorship helps build a stronger team and can lead to enhanced leadership opportunities for the senior engineer.

Can you make $500,000 as a software engineer?

Senior software engineers in high-demand industries or with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in competitive markets can potentially earn $500,000 or more annually, often through base salary, bonuses, and stock options. Achieving this level typically requires advanced expertise in areas like cloud computing, machine learning, or leadership roles, along with working at large tech companies or startups with significant funding.

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

AspectSenior Software EngineerSoftware Developer
CredentialsBachelor's or higher in CS or related field; experience often 5+ yearsBachelor's in CS or related field; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDesigning complex systems, leading projects, mentoringWriting code, developing features, debugging
Industry UsageUsed across tech companies, startups, enterpriseCommon in software firms, startups, freelance work
Search & ComparisonOften compared for experience level, responsibilitiesCompared for entry-level to mid-level roles

The main difference between a Senior Software Engineer and a Software Developer lies in experience, responsibilities, and scope. Senior Software Engineers typically have more experience, lead projects, and mentor others, while Software Developers focus on coding and feature development. Both roles are essential in tech companies, but the Senior Software Engineer position involves higher-level planning and leadership.

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

To thrive as a Senior Software Engineer, you need advanced programming skills, deep understanding of software architecture, and several years of experience in software development, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with tools like Git, CI/CD pipelines, cloud platforms, and expertise in technologies such as Java, Python, or JavaScript are typically required. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for mentoring teams and collaborating across departments. These skills ensure the delivery of robust, scalable solutions and drive successful project outcomes in complex technical environments.
More about Senior Software Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer jobs in Hawaii? The most popular types of Software Engineer jobs in Hawaii are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Engineer jobs in Hawaii? For Senior Software Engineer jobs in Hawaii, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Software Engineer jobs in Hawaii look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Software Engineer jobs in Hawaii are:
What cities in Hawaii are hiring for Senior Software Engineer jobs? Cities in Hawaii with the most Senior Software Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Engineer jobs in HI? For Senior Software Engineer jobs in HI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Senior Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Software Engineer job openings in Hawaii as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $148,874 per year, or $71.6 per hour.
Senior Software Engineer

Senior Software Engineer

National Solar Observatory

Maui, HI

$125K - $167K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 hours ago

Job description

The NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), operated by the National Solar Observatory (NSO), is the world’s largest and most advanced solar telescope, designed to help answer fundamental questions about our Sun and its complex magnetic fields. DKIST, which completed construction and began operations in November 2021 on the summit of Haleakala, Maui, Hawaii is a major program within the NSO. The NSO, an NSF national research and development center dedicated to solar science, is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). AURA, a consortium of 49 U.S. institutions and 3 international affiliates, operates world-class astronomical observatories. Its role is to establish, nurture, and promote public observatories and facilities that drive innovative astronomical research.

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to provide technical leadership and hands-on development for our High-Level Software (HLS) systems supporting advanced telescope and instrumentation platforms. This role will solve complex technical challenges, guide engineers and partners, and contribute directly to system design, development, and operations at the DKIST facility.

You will play a key role in delivering robust, scalable software systems that support scientific discovery, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams across engineering and operations.

Essential Functions
Technical Leadership & Development
  • Design, develop, test, deploy, and maintain high-level software systems for telescope and instrument applications
  • Lead complex engineering efforts and provide technical direction to team members and collaborators
  • Architect and implement scalable, multi-threaded, distributed systems
  • Support system integration across observatory platforms
Collaboration & Execution
  • Partner with engineering teams, operations staff, subcontractors, and stakeholders to deliver solutions
  • Plan and execute work aligned with technical, schedule, and budget requirements
  • Identify and resolve complex problems with minimal direction
  • Recommend and implement improvements to systems and processes
Documentation & Quality
  • Maintain comprehensive documentation (design specs, APIs, test plans, user guides)
  • Ensure high-quality software delivery through testing and best practices
  • Support CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks
Operations Support
  • Provide software support for summit and science operations as needed
  • Participate in system upgrades and new initiatives
Compliance & Safety
  • Adhere to safety standards and organizational policies
  • Ensure compliance with government award requirements (if applicable)
  • Promote a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
  • 10+ years of software development experience, including:
    • 5+ years with Java (including Swing)
    • Experience building multi-threaded, distributed systems
    • At least 1 year of Python
  • Experience with Linux-based development environments
  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work from high-level objectives
  • Experience with databases (PostgreSQL or similar)
  • Familiarity with Agile development practices
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

This position involves access to technical data that is subject to U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Pursuant to these regulations, only U.S. persons (as defined in the regulations) are eligible for access to the controlled technical data. A "U.S. person" includes a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or person granted asylum or refugee status. Applicants must be eligible to access export-controlled information as defined by U.S. law.

Preferences
  • Experience in scientific, engineering, or large-scale technical environments
  • Knowledge of distributed control systems or observatory/telescope systems
  • Experience with:
    • Middleware frameworks (e.g., EPICS, TANGO, DDS, ICE)
    • High-throughput data systems (GB/s scale)
    • CI/CD pipelines and automated testing
    • Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP)
    • Container technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Familiarity with motion control systems (e.g., Beckhoff, Omron, Delta Tau)
  • Experience managing vendors or technical contractors
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
  • Primarily office-based with extended computer use
  • Occasional lifting (up to 25 lbs)
  • Periodic work at high-elevation observatory site (~10,000 ft)
  • Frequent communication and collaboration with team members

Salary Range: $125,000 - $167,000 per year. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications and experience.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at Benefits by Location - Aura Human Resources 

Apply by July 5, 2026 for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: LastName DocName.

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance here.

Apply