1

Software Engineer Contract Jobs in Gaithersburg, MD

Seven (7) or more years experience as a Software Engineer in programs and contracts of similar scope. • SWE2: Fourteen (14) or more years experience as a Software Engineer in programs and contracts ...

Software Engineer LOCATION Reston, VA 20190 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Software Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$110 - $140/hr

Software Engineer Chantilly, VA 20151 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

New

Software Engineer LOCATION Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Software Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Software Engineer LOCATION Reston, VA 20190 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

New

Software Engineer LOCATION Chantilly, VA 20151 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Software Engineer LOCATION Tysons, VA 22182 CLEARANCE TS/SCI Full Poly (Please note this position ... Most contracts allow additional experience (4-5 years) in lieu of a Bachelor's Degree. Some ...

Our Software Engineers are at the forefront of defense technology, crafting high-impact, cutting ... Contingent Upon Contract Award VTG's estimated starting pay range is $105,000-$150,000 which is a ...

Seven (7) or more years experience as a Software Engineer in programs and contracts of similar scope. • SWE2: Fourteen (14) or more years experience as a Software Engineer in programs and contracts ...

SWE1: Seven (7) or more years experience as a Software Engineer in programs and contracts of similar scope. * SWE2: Fourteen (14) or more years experience as a Software Engineer in programs and ...

Software Engineer

Annapolis Junction, MD · On-site

$150K - $240K/yr

SWE1: Seven (7) or more years experience as a Software Engineer in programs and contracts of similar scope. * SWE2: Fourteen (14) or more years experience as a Software Engineer in programs and ...

Outside of contract work, TRSS Software Engineers contribute to internal innovation by participating in research and development (R&D), developing and maintaining shared capabilities, strengthening ...

Outside of contract work, TRSS Software Engineers contribute to internal innovation by participating in research and development (R&D), developing and maintaining shared capabilities, strengthening ...

Outside of contract work, TRSS Software Engineers contribute to internal innovation by participating in research and development (R&D), developing and maintaining shared capabilities, strengthening ...

Software Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$105K - $150K/yr

Our Software Engineers are at the forefront of defense technology, crafting high-impact, cutting ... Contingent Upon Contract Award VTG's estimated starting pay range is $105,000-$150,000 which is a ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Software Engineer Contract information

See Gaithersburg, MD salary details

$69.3K

$160.9K

$224.1K

How much do software engineer contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer contract in Gaithersburg, MD is $160,902.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $130,900.00 and $188,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software engineer contract?

Software engineer contracts are agreements where software engineers are hired on a temporary basis to work on specific projects or for a set period of time, rather than as permanent employees. Contractors often work for multiple clients, are paid hourly or per project, and may have more flexible schedules. These contracts outline the scope of work, compensation, deadlines, and other terms. Contract software engineers are responsible for delivering quality code and meeting the requirements set by the client or organization. This working arrangement can offer more autonomy, but also less job security and benefits compared to full-time employment.

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

To thrive as a Software Engineer Contract, you need strong programming skills, a solid understanding of software development methodologies, and a relevant degree or proven experience in computer science or related fields. Familiarity with source control systems (e.g., Git), cloud platforms, and proficiency in languages or frameworks required by the contract are crucial, as are any certifications in areas like AWS or Agile methodologies. Excellent problem-solving, adaptability, and communication skills help you quickly integrate with new teams and deliver results in diverse environments. These skills ensure you can efficiently contribute to projects, meet client expectations, and maintain professional flexibility across various assignments.

What are some common challenges faced by software engineers working on contract positions, and how can they be managed?

Software engineers on contract often face challenges such as quickly adapting to new codebases, understanding diverse team workflows, and managing changing project scopes. It's important to proactively communicate with team members, clarify project requirements early on, and stay organized to meet tight deadlines. Additionally, maintaining a strong personal workflow and being open to feedback can help contract engineers integrate more smoothly and deliver high-quality results within limited timeframes.

What is the difference between Software Engineer Contract vs Software Engineer Full-Time?

AspectSoftware Engineer ContractSoftware Engineer Full-Time
Employment TypeTemporary, project-basedPermanent, ongoing
Work EnvironmentTypically freelance or agency-basedCompany offices or remote
CredentialsUsually similar certifications and skillsSame as contract roles
BenefitsLimited or no benefitsHealth, retirement, paid leave

In summary, Software Engineer Contract roles are temporary positions focused on specific projects, often with fewer benefits, while Software Engineer Full-Time roles offer permanent employment with comprehensive benefits. Both roles require similar skills and credentials but differ mainly in employment stability and perks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Engineer jobs in Gaithersburg, MD?

The most popular types of Software Engineer jobs in Gaithersburg, MD are:

What are popular job titles related to Software Engineer Contract jobs in Gaithersburg, MD?

For Software Engineer Contract jobs in Gaithersburg, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Software Engineer Contract jobs in Gaithersburg, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Software Engineer Contract jobs in Gaithersburg, MD are:

What cities near Gaithersburg, MD are hiring for Software Engineer Contract jobs?

Cities near Gaithersburg, MD with the most Software Engineer Contract job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Engineer Contract job openings in Gaithersburg, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $160,902 per year, or $77.4 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Description

**A SECURITY CLEARANCE AND POLYGRAPH ARE REQUIRED

  •  The Software Engineer designs, develops, tests, deploys, documents, maintains, and enhances complex and diverse software systems based upon documented requirements. These systems might include, but are not limited to, processing intensive analytics, novel algorithm development, manipulation of extremely large data sets, real-time systems, business management information systems, and systems which incorporate data repositories, data transport services, and  application and systems development and monitoring. Works individually or as part of a team. Reviews and tests software components for adherence to the design requirements and documents test results. Resolves software problem reports. Utilizes software development and software design methodologies appropriate to the development environment. Provides specific input to the software components of system design to include hardware/software trade-offs, software reuse, use of Open Source Software (OSS) and/or Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) software in place of new development, and requirements analysis and synthesis from system level to individual software components. Experience developing in UNIX. Ability to perform shell scripting. Working knowledge of Configuration Management (CM) tools and Web Services implementation. 

Requirements

  • Master's degree in Computer Science or related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus three (3) years of experience as a SWE, in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.

OR

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related discipline from an accredited college or university, plus five (5) years of experience as a SWE, in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity

OR

  • Seven (7) years of experience as a SWE, in programs and contracts of similar scope, type, and complexity.

Task Description

The Software Engineer shall be responsible for software development activities for a tiered Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) and infrastructure automation (IA) solution for the bring-up and hands-off automation of complex High Performance Computing Systems. Software development activities include requirements analysis, design, implementation, testing, and sustainment. The primary focus is on integrating COTS and FOSS products, packages, and libraries. The Software Engineer must have a demonstrated understanding of the software development lifecycle.


Required Skills

  • Experience using the Unix CLI
  • Experience with scripting using Bash/Python
  • Experience developing with multiple programming languages such as C, Java, and Python in a Unix environment
  • Experience with software frameworks used for searching, monitoring, and analyzing big data such as Splunk and Elastic Stack 
  • Experience with SQL technologies such as MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL
  • Experience with NoSQL technologies such as MongoDB and Elasticsearch
  • Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker
  • Experience with CI/CD principles, methodologies, and tools such as GitLab CI and Jenkins
  • Experience with IaC (Infrastructure as Code) principles and automation tools such as
    Ansible, SaltStack, and Terraform 
  • Experience with designing, implementing, and using REST and/or RPC APIs 

Desired Skills

  • Experience with Messaging Frameworks such as Kafka, ActiveMQ, and RabbitMQ 


EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER VETERANS DISABLED