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Software Engineer Sail Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lead Software Engineer (SAIL)

Mclean, VA · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

Contribute to Programming Language Design and Implementation (Appian SAIL framework) * Leverage knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and design patterns to write software in a full-stack web ...

Lead Software Engineer (SAIL)

Mclean, VA · On-site

$150K - $300K/yr

Contribute to Programming Language Design and Implementation (Appian SAIL framework) * Leverage knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and design patterns to write software in a full-stack web ...

The Software Engineer position is responsible for development of application flow, business logic ... Full Sail is a cross-platform environment supporting Linux, macOS, and Windows. Technical Abilities ...

We are a team of previous Stanford professors, SAIL researchers, Olympiad medalists (IPhO, IOI, etc ... What we are Looking For * 3+ Years of Software Engineering experience graduated from top-tier CS ...

We are a team of previous Stanford professors, SAIL researchers, Olympiad medalists (IPhO, IOI, etc ... What we are Looking For * 3+ Years of Software Engineering experience graduated from top-tier CS ...

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Software Engineer Sail information

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$63.5K

$147.5K

$205.5K

How much do software engineer sail jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for software engineer sail in the United States is $147,524.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a software engineer sail?

Software Engineer Sail refers to engineers who work specifically with Sail, a domain-specific language used for describing the instruction set architectures (ISAs) of processors, particularly in formal verification and computer architecture research. These engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and verifying processor models using the Sail language. Their work often involves collaborating with hardware architects, software developers, and verification teams to ensure the accuracy and reliability of processor specifications. A Software Engineer Sail may also contribute to tool development, documentation, and the integration of Sail models with other hardware and software verification tools.

What are some typical challenges a software engineer at Sail might encounter when working on cross-functional projects?

As a Software Engineer at Sail, you may frequently collaborate with product managers, designers, and other engineering teams. A common challenge is ensuring clear communication across departments, especially when aligning on project goals and technical feasibility. You'll also need to balance writing scalable, maintainable code while meeting tight deadlines. Adapting quickly to evolving requirements and integrating feedback from multiple stakeholders are essential skills that help you succeed in this collaborative environment.

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

To thrive as a Software Engineer at Sail, you need strong programming skills (such as Java, Python, or JavaScript), a solid understanding of software development principles, and a relevant degree in computer science or engineering. Familiarity with cloud platforms, version control systems like Git, and agile development methodologies is typically required, along with any relevant certifications in software engineering or cloud technologies. Problem-solving ability, attention to detail, and effective collaboration skills set standout engineers apart in this role. Mastery of these skills ensures delivery of high-quality, scalable software solutions that meet business goals and adapt to evolving project requirements.

What is the difference between Software Engineer Sail vs Software Engineer Kubernetes?

AspectSoftware Engineer SailSoftware Engineer Kubernetes
Required CredentialsBachelor's in CS or related field, certifications in Sail or cloud platformsBachelor's in CS or related field, Kubernetes certifications (CKA, CKAD)
Work EnvironmentCloud-native applications, container orchestration, microservicesContainer management, orchestration, cloud infrastructure
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies focusing on cloud-native solutions, SaaS providersDevOps teams, cloud service providers, enterprise IT
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in cloud-native developmentComparing container orchestration roles

Software Engineer Sail and Software Engineer Kubernetes both focus on cloud-native development and container management. Sail emphasizes cloud platform integration, while Kubernetes centers on container orchestration. Both roles require similar foundational skills but differ in specific tools and certifications, catering to different aspects of cloud infrastructure.

Can software engineers work on ships?

Yes, software engineers can work on ships, often in roles related to developing and maintaining onboard systems, navigation software, or communication networks. These positions may require knowledge of maritime environments, specialized certifications, and remote work capabilities due to the ship's isolated setting.

Is 25 too late to become a software engineer?

Software engineering is a field open to individuals of all ages, and many successful engineers start their careers later in life. Age does not prevent learning programming languages, gaining relevant skills, or obtaining certifications; dedication and continuous learning are key factors for entry into the profession.

What are popular job titles related to Software Engineer Sail jobs?

For Software Engineer Sail jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Software Engineer Sail job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,524 per year, or $70.9 per hour.

Lead Software Engineer (SAIL)

Mclean, VA • On-site

Appian Corporation
Software Development • 1 - 5K employees

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

As a Lead Software Engineer working on the Appian platform, your mission will be to ensure Appian is always fast, scalable and up to whatever tasks our customers configure it to do. You will be solving problems of scale and flexibility that most engineers never see, building a product capable of serving our customers in ways you never imagined. Your scope extends from the high-performance data layer to the cross-platform user interface to the design tools used to create it.  

This role is based at our headquarters in McLean, Virginia. Appian was built on a culture of in-person collaboration, which we believe is a key driver of our mission to be the best. Employees hired for this position are expected to be in the office 5 days a week to foster that culture and ensure we continue to thrive through shared ideas and teamwork. We believe being in the office provides more opportunities to come together and celebrate working with the exceptional people across Appian. 

Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to Programming Language Design and Implementation (Appian SAIL framework)

  • Leverage knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and design patterns to write software in a full-stack web environment.

  • Leverage relevant software development experience to radiate best practices and faster development.

  • Manage availability, latency, scalability and efficiency of the product by engineering reliability into software and systems.

  • Contribute to software performance analysis and system tuning.

  • Key contributor to team feature breakdowns/sizing and design of new feature implementations.

  • Moderate degree of personal responsibility for the overall performance of the team, including capabilities, quality, stability and velocity.

  • Perform code reviews which provide feedback not only on code quality, but on design and implementation.

  • Build automation to prevent problem recurrence.

  • Seek to identify opportunities for code refactoring and performance optimizations on a regular basis and champion these efforts within the team.

  • Mentor junior software engineers by sharing best-practices and providing guidance on how to become more proficient.

  • Share advanced/expert knowledge with others in the department, both on and off team; maintain a reputation as a key resource in those areas.

  • Lead technological changes to keep platform modern.

  • Effectively communicate technical designs verbally, visually and/or in writing for small to medium sized technical audiences.

  • Contribute to Appian's long-term documentation through publishing relevant, high-quality content to Engineering's technical documentation site

Preferred Requirements: MS in Computer Science or related field/degree and 5+ years of relevant experience, or a BS and 7+ years of relevant experience; Experience in a high-volume or critical production service environment; Fluency in Java, React & Typescript; Experience with Multi-threading / Lock-Free vs. Locking; Experience with Performance analysis (Server load, Java / Javascript performance optimizations, UI speed, etc.)

Education: B.S. in Computer Science or related field/degree

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