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Senior Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, VA (NOW HIRING)

Auria

Staff Software Engineer

Warrenton, VA · Hybrid

$110K - $150K/yr

Senior engineers are expected to actively contribute to the mentoring, talent development, and guidance of junior software engineers and peers. * Communication: Clearly communicate software concepts ...

Auria

Staff Software Engineer

Warrenton, VA · On-site

$110K - $150K/yr

Senior engineers are expected to actively contribute to the mentoring, talent development, and guidance of junior software engineers and peers. * Communication: Clearly communicate software concepts ...

System One

Java Software Engineer III

Washington, VA · Remote

$53 - $72.75/hr

Java Software Engineer III REMOTE Responsibilities * Ensure compatibility between equipment and ... Serve as a solutions provider to senior management and professional staff concerning areas of ...

System One

Java Software Engineer III

Washington, VA · Remote

$53 - $72.75/hr

Java Software Engineer III REMOTE Responsibilities * Ensure compatibility between equipment and ... Serve as a solutions provider to senior management and professional staff concerning areas of ...

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All JobsSoftware Engineer JobsSenior Software Engineer JobsSenior Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, VA

Senior Software Engineer information

See Washington, VA salary details

$79.6K

$151.1K

$202.4K

How much do senior software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior software engineer in Washington, VA is $151,072.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,200.00 and $170,300.00 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.
More about Senior Software Engineer jobs

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

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

What cities near Washington, VA are hiring for Senior Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Washington, VA with the most Senior Software Engineer job openings:

Senior Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Software Engineer job openings in Washington, VA 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 $151,072 per year, or $72.6 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer

Altamira Technologies Corp.

Warrenton, VA

$150K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

Altamira Technologies has a long and successful history providing innovative solutions throughout the U.S. National Security community. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Altamira serves the defense, intelligence and homeland security communities worldwide by focusing on creating innovative solutions leveraging common standards in architecture, data and security. Altamira believes that our people and the culture of our company differentiate us from other companies.

Location: Warrenton VA / Ft. Meade Maryland

Position Description: We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer that possess a mix of talent areas related to full-stack development. As part of our team, you will provide software and web development services. Our ideal candidate would possess a broad range of skills as our scope of work spans various technologies. Examples of technologies we are currently using to support our customers include Java, Python, JavaScript, Angular, React, and ElasticSearch. Altamira Technologies Corporation encourages independent problem solving but also provides deep reach-back support and a collaborative environment for our engineering team. We are looking for candidates who have experience with developing and are not afraid to adapt to the right architecture, languages, and libraries to build the best systems for the mission and deliver the best user experience.

Role and Responsibilities

  • Must have strong Java skills – no exceptions.
  • Produce software based on desired functionality provided by users and analysts
  • Interpret mission needs and requirements to produce user-friendly software systems
  • Leverage continuous integration to create sustainable and maintainable software
  • Interact with teammates and users through whiteboard sessions and/or design documents to establish circular feedback
  • Able to meet deadlines and adjust to evolving scope as requested by customer.

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
  • 6-8 years experience with a BS degree 
  • Must have strong Java, JavaScript/Typescript experience – no exceptions.
  • Other languages like Python, Angular, ELK stack, Redis, Web Services (REST), Containerization (such as docker, lxc), Kubernetes, helm, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Android development, NoSQL and SQL databases, Xmidas are desired.

Abilities and Competencies

  • Top Secret / SCI / CI Poly Clearance REQUIRED
  • Self-motivated and eager to work intently to satisfy mission requirements
  • Adaptable and has the desire to maintain our company culture
  • Ability to effectively communicate in verbal and written communications
  • Ability to multitask and adjust priorities as needed
  • Work with a geographically disparate team. 

The anticipated salary range for this position is $150,000 to $200,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including, but not limited to, the scope of the position, relevant experience, education, certifications, internal equity, customer contractual requirements, security clearance requirements, and other legitimate business considerations.

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