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Software Development Engineer Jobs in Reston, VA

Leidos is seeking an Software Development Engineer who will be a member of a dynamic team working on the Federal Aviation Administration's En-Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) technology, which ...

Leidos is seeking an Software Development Engineer who will be a member of a dynamic team working on the Federal Aviation Administration's En-Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) technology, which ...

PLEX Solutions, A Part of Markon is looking for Software Development Engineers. This work maybe performed in Arlington, VA, (OR) Herndon, VA (OR) Jessup, MD depending on the location that works best ...

NAVA Software solutions is looking for a SDET Engineer Details: SDET Engineer Location : Merrifield, VA(Hybrid) - Weekly once onsite Duration: 12 Months Top 3 Required Skills: * Hands-on development ...

Minimum of 7+ years of experience in software development and related engineering experience * Design and develop backend services and APIs in Rust for a cloud-based platform that manages fleet ...

Minimum of 7+ years of experience in software development and related engineering experience * Design and develop backend services and APIs in Rust for a cloud-based platform that manages fleet ...

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Software Development Engineer information

See Reston, VA salary details

$66.2K

$153.8K

$214.2K

How much do software development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for software development engineer in Reston, VA is $153,759.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,100.00 and $180,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software development engineer?

Software Development Engineers (SDEs) are professionals who design, develop, test, and maintain software applications or systems. They work with programming languages, frameworks, and tools to solve problems and build functional solutions for users or businesses. SDEs may specialize in various areas such as web development, mobile applications, or backend systems, and often collaborate with other team members like designers, testers, and product managers. Their responsibilities typically include writing code, debugging, optimizing performance, and ensuring software quality.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a software development engineer?

To thrive as a Software Development Engineer, you need strong programming skills in languages such as Java, Python, or C++, along with a degree in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, cloud platforms, and development frameworks is essential, and certifications such as AWS Certified Developer can be advantageous. Problem-solving ability, effective teamwork, and strong communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities enable engineers to build robust software solutions, adapt to evolving technologies, and collaborate efficiently within development teams.

What are some common challenges software development engineers face when working on large-scale projects?

Software Development Engineers working on large-scale projects often encounter challenges such as coordinating with cross-functional teams, managing code integration from multiple contributors, and ensuring consistent coding standards. Maintaining effective communication and clear documentation becomes essential to prevent misunderstandings and bottlenecks. Additionally, addressing scalability, performance optimization, and thorough testing can be complex, but these experiences also offer valuable opportunities for professional growth and learning.

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

AspectSoftware Development EngineerSoftware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in CS or related field; sometimes certificationsBachelor's degree in CS or related field; certifications optional
Work EnvironmentDevelops, tests, and maintains software; often in tech companies or startupsDesigns and implements software solutions; in various industries including tech, finance, healthcare
Industry UsageCommonly used in tech companies, especially in North America and AsiaWidely used across multiple industries and regions
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for roles involving coding and software creationGeneral term for software development roles

Both roles involve coding and software creation, but a Software Development Engineer typically focuses on developing, testing, and maintaining software in tech environments, often with a more specialized or technical emphasis. Software Engineer is a broader term used across industries, encompassing various aspects of software design and implementation.

Is 25 too late to become a software development engineer?

Becoming a software development engineer at 25 is common and feasible, as many professionals start or switch careers in their mid-20s or later. Success depends on acquiring relevant skills, such as programming languages and development tools, and gaining practical experience through projects or internships.

What does a software development engineer do?

A software development engineer designs, develops, tests, and maintains software applications and systems. They write code using programming languages, collaborate with teams to define requirements, and ensure software quality through debugging and documentation. Proficiency in tools like version control and understanding of software development methodologies are essential for the role.

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

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

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Software Development Engineer jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Software Development Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Development Engineer job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $153,759 per year, or $73.9 per hour.

Software Development Engineer

Mclean, VA


Booz Allen Hamilton
IT Services • 10K+ employees

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 72 rated business consultants

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Software Development Engineer

The Opportunity:

We'relooking for a Software Development Engineer to join our chief technology office engineering team-a dynamic group of innovators passionate about redefining the market throughcutting-edgetechnology.You'll focus on building Booz Allen's Software-Defined Everything (SDE) platform to enable Physical AI, Edge, TrustedEnvironments,and other applications across mission domains to autonomously discover, provision, simulate, and deploy these systems.You'll be a self-starter, visionary, "10x-type" engineer who thrives in high-impact environments and is eager to build andoperatealways-on, secure, and scalable software services.

As a seasoned software engineer at Booz Allen,you'llleveragethe latest architectural approaches, open-source frameworks, and advanced tools to deliver comprehensive end-to-end solutions.You'llimpart your skills to the team as theyutilizeindustry-leading tools and techniques to create impactful software designs. Your role involves shaping a new product from the ground up with genuine autonomy and ownership. You will design, develop, deploy, andoperatehigh-availability software products with robust monitoring, alerting, and fault-tolerant capabilities, integrating agentic AI at their core. You will also implement best practices for CI/CD deployments, telemetry, canaries, and automated testing to ensure the quality and reliability of our systems.

What You'll Work On:

  • Design and develop software products that meet user needs and market demands.
  • Apply engineering principles to construct andmaintainefficient, bug-free software systems.
  • Collaborate with designers, product managers, and other engineers to bring products from concept to launch.
  • Architect secure, scalable, and high-performance back-end applications.
  • Work on both front-end and back-end development using languages such as Go, Node.js, Java, or C#.
  • Integrate back-end services with relational and NoSQL databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and DynamoDB.
  • Write clean, efficient, and testable code following best practices for performance, maintainability, and security.
  • Integrate generative AI tools to accelerate development and enhance product design.
  • Communicate design decisions and technical trade-offs clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Contribute to a culture of innovation and technical excellence by keeping abreast of industry trends.
  • Embed security checks and compliance requirements into the development process to meet relevant standards.

Join us. The world can't wait.

You Have:

  • 2+ years of experience building and operating production-grade full-stack applications in cloud environments such as AWS
  • 2+ years of experience withGo, Java, Node.js, or C# development
  • 1+ years of experience with distributed architectures using microservices or serverless in AWS,Google,or Azure Cloud
  • 1+ years of experience with SQL and NoSQL databases
  • Experience designing and implementing RESTful APIs and microservices
  • Experiencein CI/CD pipeline setup and maintenance
  • Experience using generative AI tools to accelerate development, automate coding tasks, and review AI-generated code
  • Knowledge of authentication, authorization, and security best practices
  • Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance
  • Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of experience in software engineering, or 5+ years of experience in software engineering in lieu of a degree

Nice If You Have:

  • Experience writing source code for new applications or generating and enhancing code samples for existing applications
  • Experience acquiring client requirements and resolving workflow problems through automation optimization
  • Ability to work with automated testing tools to perform testing and maintenance
  • TS/SCI clearance
  • Master's degree
  • AWS Certifications such as Cloud Practitioner, Developer Associate, or Solutions Architect Associate Certification

Clearance:

Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Compensation

At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen's benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.

Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $69,400.00 to $158,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen's total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Identity Statement

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. 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.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.

Work Model
Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration, whether it occurs in person or virtually. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings.

  • Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.

  • Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility.

  • Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.


Booz Allen Hamilton logo

About Booz Allen Hamilton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Booz Allen Hamilton is a leading provider of management and technology consulting services to the US government in defense, intelligence, and civil markets. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, the firm also serves major corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. Founded in 1914 by Edwin G. Booz, the company has a long-standing tradition of helping clients achieve success by delivering a wide range of consulting services that include strategic planning, human capital and learning, communication, systems development, and others. The company's mission is to empower people to change the world, and it has a reputation for maintaining the highest standards of integrity and-excellence.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1914


What Booz Allen Hamilton employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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