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Software Engineer Recent Grad Jobs in Charlottesville, VA

Production Engineer

Charlottesville, VA ยท On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

Job Type Full-time Description RIVANNA is seeking a talented and motivated recent graduate to join ... Experience with PCB design software (e.g., Altium, EAGLE) is a plus Physical Requirements All ...

Electrical Engineer

Crozet, VA ยท On-site

$110 - $140/hr

We recently closed a $6.0M Series A and are projecting 100-200% revenue growth over the next year ... Drive hardware-software integration for motor controller platforms, working closely with firmware ...

We recently closed a $6.0M Series A and are projecting 100-200% revenue growth over the next year ... Drive hardware-software integration for motor controller platforms, working closely with firmware ...

Software Engineer Recent Grad information

See Charlottesville, VA salary details

$63K

$146.4K

$203.9K

How much do software engineer recent grad jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer recent grad in Charlottesville, VA is $146,352.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,000.00 and $171,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software engineer recent grad?

Software engineers who are recent graduates are individuals who have recently completed a degree in computer science or a related field and are starting their careers in software development. They typically work on designing, developing, and maintaining software applications under the supervision of more experienced engineers. Recent grads often participate in training, mentorship, and entry-level projects to build their skills and gain practical experience. Their responsibilities may include writing code, fixing bugs, and collaborating with teams to deliver software solutions.

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

To thrive as a Software Engineer Recent Grad, you need a solid understanding of programming languages (such as Python, Java, or C++), data structures, algorithms, and a relevant degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), integrated development environments (IDEs), and basic knowledge of software development methodologies is typically expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and a willingness to learn new technologies help you stand out in this position. These skills are essential to contribute effectively to team projects, adapt to evolving tools and workflows, and deliver reliable, maintainable code.

What are some typical challenges faced by recent graduates starting as software engineers, and how can they overcome them?

Recent graduates often find the transition from academic projects to large-scale, real-world software development challenging. They may encounter complex codebases, unfamiliar tools, and fast-paced agile environments that require quick learning and adaptation. To overcome these challenges, it's helpful to seek mentorship from experienced team members, proactively ask questions, and take advantage of onboarding resources. Participating in code reviews and collaborating closely with colleagues can also accelerate learning and integration into the team.

What cities near Charlottesville, VA are hiring for Software Engineer Recent Grad jobs?

Cities near Charlottesville, VA with the most Software Engineer Recent Grad job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Engineer Recent Grad job openings in Charlottesville, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $146,352 per year, or $70.4 per hour.

Software Development Engineer in Test

Charlottesville, VA โ€ข On-site

$140 - $200/hr

Other

Retirement

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Software Development Engineer in Test - AI About us:

We are a stealth-mode startup building foundational technology to address performance, scalability, and resiliency challenges in large-scale AI data center clusters. We are backed by top-tier VC firms and notable angel investors.

The company is led by experienced builders and operators who have founded companies, taken them to scale, and exited successfully. We work with a strong sense of unity and shared responsibility, and we expect trust, integrity, and respect in how we collaborate and make decisions. We hold ourselves accountable to one another and to the quality of the work we deliver.

Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we operate across a mix of remote and on-site locations in the U.S. and Canada. We aim to create an environment where people are treated fairly, supported in their growth, and are empowered to do meaningful work alongside others who take the craft seriously.

Some Recent Press:

https://www.eetimes.com/startup-boosts-scale-up-to-1000-gpus-in-a-single-domain/

We are looking for:

We are looking for a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) to ensure the reliability and performance of our core AI infrastructure. In this role, you are an engineer who builds sophisticated automation frameworks and stress-testing suites to break and then harden our system.

You will be responsible for validating the intersection of distributed systems, GPU kernels, and AI frameworks. You will build a scalable foundation of trust in our code, ensuring that our performance-critical primitives work every time, at any scale.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, and maintain a robust automated testing framework from the ground up that supports distributed AI training and inference workloads.

  • Develop complex test plans that go beyond unit tests, focusing on end-to-end system integration, stress testing, and hardware-software boundary conditions.

  • Partner closely with System Engineers to debug deep-seated issues in distributed clusters, using telemetry and profiling tools to identify bottlenecks.

Required Skills and Qualifications:
  • Strong proficiency in Python (for automation and orchestration).

  • Proven experience building or extending test automation frameworks for complex back-end systems.

  • Proven ability to troubleshoot automated test failures within complex large-scale distributed systems, and identify root causes.

  • Experience with containerization (Docker/Kubernetes) and modern CI/CD tools (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or Jenkins).

Desired Skills:
  • Experience with Kubernetes or Terraform or Ansible for managing testโ€‘bed environments.

  • Experience testing high-performance networking protocols or distributed file systems.

  • Experience testing software that interacts directly with drivers or firmware.

Education:
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

Location:

This is a hybrid role based in Palo Alto or Charlottesville, VA.

Compensation:

Target base salary for this role is $140,000 - $200,000 per year + meaningful equity + benefits + 401k. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, experience, and location.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We value a range of perspectives and experiences and make employment decisions based on merit and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of legally protected characteristics.

Agency Note:

We do not accept resumes from agencies or search firms. Please do not forward candidate profiles through our careers page, email, LinkedIn messages, or directly to company employees. Any resumes submitted will be deemed the property of the company, and no fees will be paid in the event the candidate is hired.

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