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Senior Software Engineer Jobs in State College, PA

Sr Software Engineer

State College, PA ยท On-site +1

$119K - $157K/yr

Rate: 90-115/hr DOE and compensation type On-Site in State College PA In the Senior ML/Data Science Software Engineering role, you will design, develop, and test AI/ML, Java and Python code in a ...

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Senior Software Engineer information

See State College, PA salary details

$73.6K

$139.8K

$187.3K

How much do senior software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software engineer in State College, PA is $139,766.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,500.00 and $157,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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.

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 does a senior software engineer do?

A senior software engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications, often leading projects and mentoring junior team members. They analyze requirements, write code, perform testing, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and efficiency. Proficiency in programming languages, problem-solving skills, and experience with development tools are essential for this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA?

The most popular types of Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA?

For Senior Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Software Engineer jobs in State College, PA are:

What cities near State College, PA are hiring for Senior Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near State College, PA with the most Senior Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Software Engineer job openings in State College, PA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $139,766 per year, or $67.2 per hour.

Sr Software Engineer

AVTC Group

State College, PA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$119K - $157K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 3 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and test AI, ML, Java, and Python-based applications and software components for satellite ground systems.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define software requirements, work with existing code, and ensure software performance, reliability, and scalability.

  • Participate in software design reviews, code reviews, and system integration activities to support project milestones.


Job description

Active TS/SCI is a must - this effort is on-site
All qualified candidates will be responded to within 24 hrs or less.
Employment type: Full Time w-2 or C2C or 1099. Depending on the type of employment we can offer benefits: including Health, Dental Vision etc...
Rate: 90-115/hr DOE and compensation type
On-Site in State College PA
In the Senior ML/Data Science Software Engineering role, you will design, develop, and test AI/ML, Java and Python code in a Linux, Agile, DevOps environment. We are at the forefront of aerospace and defense technology. Our Satellite Ground Systems Team plays a pivotal role in ensuring communication, surveillance, and defense capabilities through cutting-edge satellite systems. We invite you to be part of a team that pushes the boundaries of what's possible. Due to the security clearance requirement, this is an onsite position in our State College, PA office.
What You Will Do
โ€ขDesign, develop, and maintain advanced software applications for our Satellite Ground Systems.
โ€ขCollaborate closely with systems engineers, hardware designers, and other software engineers to deliver reliable and high-performance software solutions.
โ€ขDesign, implement, and test AI, ML, Java and Python based applications and software components for satellite ground systems.
โ€ขWork in parallel with legacy platform teams to eventually migrate workloads onto your pipelines.
โ€ขCollaborate with cross-functional teams to define software requirements and specifications.
โ€ขWork with previously written code and make modifications as necessary.
โ€ขEnsure software performance, reliability, and scalability.
โ€ขParticipate in software design reviews, code reviews, and system integration activities.
โ€ขContribute to the completion of program and project milestones under the specific guidance of their immediate supervisor.
โ€ขFollow established Software processes and procedures, development, documentation and maintenance/management of operations concepts, requirements (system, element, segment level), external and internal interfaces, and other software engineering work products/artifacts.
Qualifications You Must Have
โ€ขActive and transferable U.S. government issued TS/SCI security clearance is required prior to start date. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
โ€ขTypically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and five (5) years of Software Engineering experience.
โ€ขExperience in object-oriented software design and development using Java or Python in a Linux environment.
โ€ขExperience with unit testing tools (e.g., JUnit).
โ€ขExperience in Machine Learning and Data Science.
โ€ขExperience working with large datasets and performing data analysis.
Qualifications We Prefer
โ€ขStrong analytical skills and proactive problem-solving abilities, with a deep understanding of AI/ML technologies, cloud architecture, and enterprise software.
โ€ขSecurity+ certification.
โ€ขExperience with Git, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes.
โ€ขExperience with the Atlassian Tool Suite (e.g. JIRA, Confluence, BitBucket).
โ€ขExperience with cloud computing platform (e.g. AWS or Azure).
โ€ขExperience with satellite communication systems and protocols is highly preferred.
โ€ขFamiliarity with secure coding practices, especially in a defense or aerospace setting.
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