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Software Development Engineer Intern Jobs in Chantilly, VA

SDET

Mclean, VA · On-site

$50.50 - $65.25/hr

Job Title: SDET Location: Onsite in McLean, VA Responsibilities • Design, develop, and maintain automation frameworks using Playwright, Selenium, Cucumber, Java, and TypeScript • Execute end-to ...

Application SDET

Reston, VA · On-site

$52 - $67/hr

Highly experienced Senior SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) to help deliver test automation across our software development lifecycle. This role is ideal for someone with deep expertise in ...

Application SDET

Reston, VA · On-site

$52 - $67/hr

Highly experienced Senior SDET (Software Development Engineer in Test) to help deliver test automation across our software development lifecycle. This role is ideal for someone with deep expertise in ...

Showing results 21-40

Software Development Engineer Intern information

See Chantilly, VA salary details

$13

$26

$39

How much do software development engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for software development engineer intern in Chantilly, VA is $26.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.15 and $29.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects do software development engineer interns typically work on, and how much ownership do they have over their work?

As a Software Development Engineer Intern, you will often contribute to real-world projects that may range from feature development and bug fixes to prototyping new tools or improving existing systems. Interns are usually paired with a mentor and integrated into agile teams, where they are encouraged to take ownership of their assigned tasks and present their solutions. While guidance and code reviews are standard, interns are trusted to design, implement, and test their code, allowing for meaningful hands-on experience and a direct impact on product outcomes.

What does a software development engineer intern do?

A Software Development Engineer Intern assists in designing, coding, testing, and maintaining software applications under the guidance of experienced engineers. Interns typically work on real projects, write code, debug issues, and collaborate with team members to learn the software development lifecycle. This role helps interns gain practical experience, improve programming skills, and understand how software teams operate in a professional environment.

What is the difference between Software Development Engineer Intern vs Software Engineer?

AspectSoftware Development Engineer InternSoftware Engineer
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recently completed a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or related fieldUsually holds a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science or related discipline
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, often part-time or summer roles within tech companiesFull-time employment in software development teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across tech companies, startups, and large corporations for entry-level rolesFull-time professional role in similar environments
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level experience and career progressionRepresents a standard professional role in software development

The main difference between a Software Development Engineer Intern and a Software Engineer is the experience level and employment status. Interns are typically students gaining practical experience, while Software Engineers are full-time professionals responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software products.

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

To thrive as a Software Development Engineer Intern, you typically need proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++, and a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals, often supported by coursework or personal projects. Familiarity with development tools like Git, integrated development environments (IDEs), and sometimes cloud platforms or version control systems is expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, eagerness to learn, and effective communication help interns collaborate and adapt quickly. These skills and qualities enable interns to contribute meaningfully to projects while growing their technical and teamwork abilities in a real-world environment.
What are the most commonly searched types of Software Development Engineer jobs in Chantilly, VA? The most popular types of Software Development Engineer jobs in Chantilly, VA are:
What cities near Chantilly, VA are hiring for Software Development Engineer Intern jobs? Cities near Chantilly, VA with the most Software Development Engineer Intern job openings:
Infographic showing various Software Development Engineer Intern job openings in Chantilly, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,125 per year, or $26 per hour.

Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET)

Zetier

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Job Summary:
Zetier is seeking Software Development Engineers in Test (SDET) to design, build, and maintain scalable automated testing capabilities for embedded hardware and software systems. This role focuses on developing robust test infrastructure and enabling continuous validation across hardware and software solutions.
Responsibilities:
• Design, build, and maintain scalable automated testing capabilities for embedded hardware, cyber platforms, and operational software systems.
• Develop robust test infrastructure, improving product reliability.
• Enable continuous validation across hardware and software solutions.
• Develop automated validation frameworks and integrate testing into CI/CD pipelines.
• Support verification activities spanning low-level firmware, networking systems, and mission-driven software capabilities.
• Conduct functional, integration, regression, and hardware-in-the-loop testing aligned with quality, operational effectiveness, and compliance objectives.
Qualifications:
Required:
• 5+ years experience in software development or test engineering
• Strong programming experience in Python, C/C++, and/or Rust
• Experience deploying automated test frameworks (e.g. pytest, Robot)
• Experience testing embedded or Linux-based systems platforms
• Hands-on experience integrating testing into CI/CD pipelines
• Familiar debugging complex HW/SW system interactions
• Comfortable writing clear technical documentation (e.g. test reports)
• Strong communication skills across engineering and customer teams
• Active U.S. security clearance
Preferred:
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and device automation
• Experience testing embedded systems, networking devices, or mobile
• Experience with containerization (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes, QEMU)
• Familiar with network/protocol validation (e.g. Wireshark, Scapy)
• Experience with RF or wireless systems (e.g. 802.11ac, Zigbee, SDR)
• Experience testing firmware, drivers, and low-level code/services
• Exposure to cybersecurity, vulnerability research, or pentest teams
• Experience with observability, telemetry, or reliability engineering
Company:
Zetier provides cybersecurity products, network infrastructure, database management, cloud computing, and technical solutions. Founded in , the company is headquartered in Arlington, USA, with a team of 51-200 employees. The company is currently Growth Stage.