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Software Development Contractor Jobs in Washington

Software Engineer IV

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer IV

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer II

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$99K - $136K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer II

Annapolis Junction, MD

$107K - $146K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer III

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$58.75 - $79/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer II

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$99K - $136K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer II

Annapolis Junction, MD

$107K - $146K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer III

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$58.75 - $79/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer III

Annapolis Junction, MD

$63.25 - $84.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer II

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$99K - $136K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer III

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$58.75 - $79/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer III

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$58.75 - $79/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer III

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$58.75 - $79/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer III

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$58.75 - $79/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer III

Annapolis Junction, MD

$63.25 - $84.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer III

Annapolis Junction, MD

$63.25 - $84.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Software Engineer II

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$99K - $136K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

If you have prior military service or government contracting experience, are proud to serve and ... Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development ...

Showing results 21-40

Software Development Contractor information

See Washington salary details

$90K

$160.9K

$202.2K

How much do software development contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for software development contractor in Washington is $160,944.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $139,900.00 and $184,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does the workflow and communication process typically differ for software development contractors compared to full-time employees?

As a software development contractor, you’ll likely experience more autonomy in your workflow but will need to be proactive in communication since you may not be embedded within the core team. Contractors often attend regular check-ins or stand-ups virtually and coordinate with project managers or technical leads to track deliverables. You may work across multiple projects or teams, so adapting quickly to different coding standards and collaboration tools is essential. Clear documentation and timely progress updates are important for ensuring alignment and meeting client expectations.

What does a software development contractor do?

A Software Development Contractor is an independent professional hired to design, develop, and implement software solutions for clients on a project or temporary basis. They may work with various programming languages, frameworks, and technologies depending on the client's needs. Contractors are responsible for delivering specific project outcomes, often collaborating with in-house teams, and may also provide ongoing support or maintenance. Their work arrangement typically allows for greater flexibility compared to full-time employees, but they are usually responsible for their own business operations, such as taxes and contracts.

What is the difference between Software Development Contractor vs Software Developer?

AspectSoftware Development ContractorSoftware Developer
CredentialsTypically no formal certification required; focus on experience and skillsOften holds a degree in computer science or related field; certifications like Scrum or Agile may be common
Work EnvironmentContract-based, often freelance or temporary projectsFull-time or part-time employment within a company or organization
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies hiring for specific projects or short-term needsEmployed by organizations as ongoing team members
Search & Comparison IntentPeople compare to understand contract work vs permanent rolesPeople look to distinguish between employment types

In summary, a Software Development Contractor typically works on short-term, project-based assignments without formal employment benefits, while a Software Developer is usually a full-time employee with ongoing responsibilities within a company. Both roles require technical skills, but their work arrangements and employment status differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software development contractor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Software Development Contractor, you need strong programming skills, experience with software design and development methodologies, and typically a relevant degree or proven work history. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), cloud platforms, and frameworks relevant to client needs is crucial, along with knowledge of Agile or Scrum methodologies. Excellent problem-solving, time management, and communication skills help you adapt to diverse client environments and deliver quality solutions independently. These competencies ensure you can efficiently meet client expectations, deliver robust software, and maintain professional relationships in a contract-based role.

What are popular job titles related to Software Development Contractor jobs in Washington?

For Software Development Contractor jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Software Development Contractor jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Software Development Contractor jobs in Washington are:

Infographic showing various Software Development Contractor job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $160,944 per year, or $77.4 per hour.

Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Steampunk

Mclean, VA

$90K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Overview

As a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET), you will work with our growing DevSecOps practice delivering quality assurance services to support application, cloud, and data systems development. We are looking for candidates with 3-5 years of experience in quality assurance and test automation practices within an Agile/DevSecOps work environment

Contributions

Responsibilities

  • Understand the needs of stakeholders and conveying requirements to development teams 
  • Collaborate with product design teams to determine testing parameters and acceptance criteria 
  • Write comprehensive test plans, create test cases, develop test procedures, document bug reports, and produce final QA reports for products 
  • Manage test data architecture definition and coordinate test data requests 
  • Develop automated testing scripts with consideration for parallelization and idempotency 
  • Integrate test automation including performance, security, and functional tests into CI/CD pipelines 
  • Execute testing and examination of code written by others and analyze results, including three or more of the following: 
  • Data validation testing 
  • Functional testing 
  • Performance and load testing 
  • Usability testing 
  • Accessibility (Section 508) testing 
  • Develop automated testing scripts considering parallelization and idempotency 
  • Ensuring that systems are safe and secure against cybersecurity threats 
  • Working with software developers and software engineers to ensure that development follows established processes and works as intended 
  • Document as-is state of the environment, perform gap analysis, and produce artifacts that articulate options and recommendations 
  • Engineer and implement solutions and provide recommendations for continuous improvement of services provided 
  • Present regular status updates and provide cross-training to other DevOps team members 
  • Act as an individual contributor and mentor more junior team members 
Qualifications

Required

    • Ability to obtain a U.S. government Security Clearance 
    • Bachelors Degree and 10 years of experience (7 must be relevant)
    • 3 Years of Experience with Git SCM providers such as GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket 
    • 3 Years of Experience with one or more programming or scripting languages 
    • 7 Years of application DevSecOps Experience with actual/active development experience in an Agile environment 
    • Experience utilizing docker containers and utilizing platforms such as Kubernetes 
    • 3 Years of Experience implementing test automation, using tools such as Selenium, Appium, Soap UI, RestAssured, Postman 
    • Experience integrating test automation including performance, security, and functional tests into CI/CD Pipelines 
    • Experience with performance and load testing 
    • Experience in one or more cloud computing environments (e.g. AWS, Azure, or GCP) 

 Preferred

    • Certifications: 
    • CAST (Certified Associate in Software Testing) 
    • International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) Certification 
    • Cloud certifications (AWS Certified Developer, Azure Developer Associate, etc.) 
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal and collaborative skills 
    • Experience with behavior-driven development (BDD) and test-driven development (TDD) methodologies 
About steampunk

Steampunk relies on several factors to determine salary, including but not limited to geographic location, contractual requirements, education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. The projected compensation range for this position is $90,000 to $130,000.  The estimate displayed represents a typical annual salary range for this position. Annual salary is just one aspect of Steampunk's total compensation package for employees. Learn more about additional Steampunk benefits here. 

Identity Statement

As part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Steampunk is a Change Agent in the Federal contracting industry, bringing new thinking to clients in the Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health and DoD sectors.  Through our Human-Centered delivery methodology, we are fundamentally changing the expectations our Federal clients have for true shared accountability in solving their toughest mission challenges.  As an employee owned company, we focus on investing in our employees to enable them to do the greatest work of their careers - and rewarding them for outstanding contributions to our growth. If you want to learn more about our story, visit http://www.steampunk.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Steampunk participates in the E-Verify program. 

Employment Type: OTHER