1

Software Engineer Contractor Jobs in Columbia, MD

We ask the right questions to help civil servants and other contractors work effectively on complex ... This is a great opportunity for engineers who enjoy software archaeology. If you care deeply about ...

Software Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

This government contractor is searching for a Software Developer to maintain and improve software and tools used for predictive readiness modeling and simulation. In this role, you'll ensure the ...

We ask the right questions to help civil servants and other contractors work effectively on complex ... This is a great opportunity for engineers who enjoy software archaeology. If you care deeply about ...

Software Engineer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$115K - $251K/yr

We're hiring Software Engineers ranging from entry-level through senior/principal-level ... These considerations include, but are not limited to, contracted rates, education, certification(s ...

Work performed in contractor facility in Annapolis Junction. Clearance Required: TS/SCI Other ... The company leverages its expertise in data transport solutions, software and systems engineering ...

Prodigy One, LLC. is a systems and software engineering services firm providing more than 45 years ... Work performed in contractor facility in Annapolis Junction * Potential telework Preferred ...

Work performed in contractor facility in Annapolis Junction. Clearance Required: TS/SCI Other ... The company leverages its expertise in data transport solutions, software and systems engineering ...

As a Software Engineer you will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and enhancing complex ... VEVRAA Federal Contractor

Software Engineer II

Columbia, MD · On-site

$160K - $190K/yr

Software Engineer -- Distributed Web Applications Cloud Columbia, MD | Full Time | TS/SCI with ... About Us Intezra Inc. is a small business prime contractor for all realms of cyber and AI/ML ...

... Software Engineer in order to support its government customer in Annapolis Junction, MD. 2HB is ... in contractor facility in Annapolis Junction • Both low and high side access • Potential ...

Software Engineer

Hanover, MD · On-site

$115K - $251K/yr

We're hiring Software Engineers ranging from entry-level through senior/principal-level ... These considerations include, but are not limited to, contracted rates, education, certification(s ...

Our Reston team is hiring a Software Engineer to help build and mature technically sophisticated ... VEVRAA Federal Contractor

Showing results 21-40

Software Engineer Contractor information

See Columbia, MD salary details

$62.5K

$145.2K

$202.3K

How much do software engineer contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer contractor in Columbia, MD is $145,213.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,100.00 and $170,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software engineer contractor?

Software Engineer Contractors are professionals hired on a temporary or project basis to design, develop, and maintain software applications. Unlike full-time employees, they typically work for a predetermined period or on specific projects for a company. Contractors may work independently or through contracting agencies and often have flexibility regarding work hours and location. Their expertise is sought after for specialized tasks, scaling development teams, or covering skill gaps within organizations.

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

To thrive as a Software Engineer Contractor, you need advanced programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and a solid understanding of software development lifecycles, often backed by a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with source control systems (like Git), cloud platforms, and project management tools, as well as proficiency in key programming languages, is typically required. Strong communication, adaptability, and self-motivation are essential soft skills for collaborating with diverse teams and managing project-based workloads. These skills ensure high-quality deliverables, effective client communication, and successful navigation of varied contract environments.

How does the work structure and team integration typically differ for software engineer contractors compared to full-time employees?

As a Software Engineer Contractor, you will often work on specific projects or deliverables within a defined contract period, which may mean less involvement in long-term planning or company-wide initiatives. Contractors are usually integrated into existing development teams, collaborating closely with full-time engineers, project managers, and QA staff, but may have less access to certain internal resources or benefits. While you can expect to contribute to daily stand-ups, code reviews, and agile sprints, the onboarding process and access to proprietary tools or systems may be streamlined for contractors. This role offers valuable exposure to diverse tech stacks and industries, and successful contracts can lead to extended engagements or full-time offers.

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

AspectSoftware Engineer ContractorSoftware Engineer Full-Time Employee
CredentialsTypically requires a relevant degree and technical skills; certifications optionalSame as contractor; often prefers ongoing professional development
Work EnvironmentProject-based, flexible hours, often remote or on-siteSteady, long-term employment, usually on-site or hybrid
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech, startups, consulting firmsStandard in large corporations, tech companies, and enterprises
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for short-term or project-based rolesSeeking stable, long-term employment

In summary, Software Engineer Contractors typically work on short-term projects with flexible schedules, while full-time employees enjoy ongoing employment and benefits. Both roles require similar skills and credentials but differ mainly in work arrangement and job stability.

What are popular job titles related to Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Columbia, MD?

For Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Columbia, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Columbia, MD look for?

The top searched job categories for Software Engineer Contractor jobs in Columbia, MD are:

What cities near Columbia, MD are hiring for Software Engineer Contractor jobs?

Cities near Columbia, MD with the most Software Engineer Contractor job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Engineer Contractor job openings in Columbia, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,213 per year, or $69.8 per hour.

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Open Systems Technologies Corporation is a leader in the government contracting marketplace, providing Enterprise Security and Cloud Computing solutions to support large organizations. Our capabilities include supplying federal government entities and private businesses with software development, scientific and engineering technical assistance, systems integration, and enterprise security. Since its founding in 1996, OST has been committed to delivering high-quality, best-in-class results that bring added value to our clients while investing in our employees’ futures by providing exciting projects to work on, and robust benefits to include technical training and certifications, relocation assistance, and a 401K match with immediate vesting.

Open Systems Technologies Corporation is looking for a Software Engineer to join a high-performing agile team that uses the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methodology to support a nationally significant and fast-paced program. Program execution follows DEVOPS best practices and employs robust development, test, and production environments. Behavior Driven Development (BDD) and test automation tools are utilized alongside a full suite of team collaboration tools. The program is focused on injecting new technology and adding advanced capabilities in support of an ongoing operational system.

Responsibilities:

The Software Engineer will complete software development tasks both individually and as a member of an agile team. The selected individual will actively participate in program increment planning and related team activities. He/she/they will analyze and study complex system requirements, use design software tools, provide support using formal specifications, data flow diagrams, and other accepted design techniques with the use of Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools, and will use sound software engineering principles to ensure that developed code is modifiable, efficient, reliable, understandable, fault-tolerant, and reusable. The selected candidate will provide software process management and control throughout the coding portion of the software development process and will promote code reuse and cross-program collaboration by creating common functions and shared actions for developers and testers. He/she/they will engineer, author, tune and document automation scripts in a development environment and deploy to the test/production bench.

Required Qualifications:

  • Clearance: TS/SCI w CI Poly
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related discipline Relevant work experience may be substituted for a Degree
  • Demonstrated experience with Java is required.
  • Experience or familiarity with multiple of the following: Java/J2EE, Python, C/C++, SQL, SOAP, WSDL, WADL, PERL, PowerShell, VBS, Eclipse, Postgres, Oracle, and Jenkins on a Windows platform
  • Experience with User Interface development, knowledge of databases and structures, and/or experience working with XHTML, HTML, XML, XSLT
  • Experience developing on Windows and/or Linux operating systems
  • Must have a strong understanding of sound software development principles and practices
  • Must be able to plan and prioritize personal tasks and be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
  • Must be an independent thinker, capable of performing high-quality work, both independently and with a team, in a fast-moving environment

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with the following: JEE, SQL, application servers (Tomcat, WebLogic, and JBoss), scripting
  • Experience with high-level requirements management, including requirements decomposition, secure systems engineering and development, trade-off analysis, interface control, testing, and continuous integration
  • Experience in software development on Agile teams using Agile Developer practices such as Pair Programming, BDD, Refactoring, and ATDD
  • Experience with FITNesse, Mockito, Cucumber, Unified Functional Tester (UFT), and Selenium
  • Experience with Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) or Test-Driven Development (TDD)
  • Secure Software development (i.e. Layer 7 Policy)
  • Experience with the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methodology, SAFe Agilest Certification, or past experience as a member of an agile team

BENEFITS

OST is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has been operating since 1996 providing support on various contracts with Government agencies. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes 3 weeks paid time off, 11 Federal Holidays, medical/dental coverage, STD, LTD, Life Insurance, AD&D, 401k with up to 4% match, and end-of-year profit sharing.