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Staff Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Capital One

Lead Software Engineer - Backend

Mclean, VA · On-site

Lead Software Engineer - Backend Do you love building and pioneering in the technology space? Do you enjoy solving complex business problems in a fast-paced, collaborative, inclusive, and iterative ...

SAIC

Back-End Software Developer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Description SAIC is seeking a Back-End Software Developer to design, develop, test, implement, and maintain core application software for our customer on-site in Arlington, VA. This role encompasses ...

Capital One

Lead Software Engineer, Back End

Mclean, VA · On-site

Lead Software Engineer, Back End Do you love building and pioneering in the technology space? Do you enjoy solving complex business problems in a fast-paced, collaborative, inclusive, and iterative ...

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Staff Backend Software Engineer information

What is a staff backend software engineer?

Staff Backend Software Engineers are senior-level engineers who design, build, and maintain the server-side infrastructure of applications. They are responsible for ensuring systems are scalable, reliable, and performant, often acting as technical leaders within their teams. In addition to coding, they mentor other engineers, make architectural decisions, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects. Their expertise is critical in shaping the technical strategy and long-term vision of backend systems.

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

To thrive as a Staff Backend Software Engineer, you need deep expertise in server-side programming languages (such as Java, Python, or Go), system architecture, and scalable API design, typically with a computer science degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with databases (SQL/NoSQL), cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), CI/CD tools, and often advanced knowledge of containerization or microservices are essential. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and effective communication skills help you drive technical direction and mentor junior engineers. These skills are crucial for building robust backend systems, ensuring team alignment, and delivering reliable, high-performance products.

How does a staff backend software engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams on large-scale projects?

As a Staff Backend Software Engineer, you will frequently collaborate with product managers, frontend engineers, DevOps, and QA teams to define technical requirements and align backend solutions with overall business goals. You’ll often lead technical discussions, provide architectural guidance, and mentor other engineers, ensuring that backend systems integrate smoothly with other components. This role requires strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders, fostering effective teamwork and project success.

What is the difference between Staff Backend Software Engineer vs Backend Software Engineer?

AspectStaff Backend Software EngineerBackend Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in CS or related field; extensive experienceBachelor's in CS or related field; 1-3 years experience
Work EnvironmentSenior-level projects, system architecture, mentorshipDevelopment, coding, feature implementation
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, startups, large enterprisesSame as Staff, common in tech industry
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding seniority, responsibilities, career pathEntry to mid-level development roles

The main difference between a Staff Backend Software Engineer and a Backend Software Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and scope. Staff Engineers typically handle complex system design, mentorship, and strategic planning, while Backend Engineers focus on coding, feature development, and smaller project components. Both roles are common in tech companies, but Staff Engineers are more senior and involved in architecture and leadership.

What are popular job titles related to Staff Backend Software Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Staff Backend Software Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Staff Backend Software Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Staff Backend Software Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Staff Backend Software Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Staff Backend Software Engineer job openings:

Staff Backend Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Staff Backend Software Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution.

Senior Backend Software Engineer, TS/SCI with CI Poly - $180K-$210K + 15% 401k

Millennial Software Solutions Inc

Chantilly, VA • On-site

$180K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

About Millennial Software:
Millennial Software is revolutionizing the landscape of security and defense by leveraging our core competencies in software development, automation, DevSecOps, and machine learning.
  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for you and all dependents
  • Ability to get increased salary if you don't need medical/dental/vision
  • 100% company-paid disability and life insurance benefits
  • 15% 401(k) company contribution
  • 30 days of PTO/holidays
  • Generous training budget
  • Paid Paternal and Maternal Leave
  • Business development / growth incentives
  • Top notch company swag

Job Description:
Millennial Software is seeking a Senior Backend Software Developer to join our collaborative team supporting National Security. You'll design, develop, and support scalable APIs and services using a tech stack that power data-driven applications and enable mission-critical decisions. You will focus on backend architecture, data modeling, integrations, performance, and reliability while partnering with frontend engineers, analysts, and users.
The ideal candidate is passionate about the full lifecycle-design, coding, testing, deployment, and sustainment-and comfortable delivering secure, high-quality tools in mission environments.
Essential Functions:
  • Design, implement, and maintain backend services, APIs, and integrations that support product features.
  • Develop data models and persistence layers; ensure data quality, integrity, and performance.
  • Build reliable service-to-service communication and integration patterns (REST/GraphQL, messaging, streaming).
  • Apply secure coding practices and ensure appropriate authentication/authorization patterns.
  • Create and maintain automated tests (unit/integration) and participate in peer code reviews.
  • Diagnose and resolve production issues; improve reliability through monitoring, alerting, and runbooks.
  • Collaborate with frontend engineers and other stakeholders to define contracts and support end-to-end delivery.
  • Identify bottlenecks and drive performance improvements (latency, throughput, resource utilization).
  • Produce technical documentation for systems, APIs, and operational procedures.

Requirements
Required Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated experience building and operating production backend services and APIs.
  • Proficiency in at least one backend language (e.g., Python, Java, Go, C#, Node.js) and common frameworks.
  • Strong understanding of API design, authentication/authorization concepts, and service reliability.
  • Experience with relational and/or NoSQL databases, query optimization, and schema/data modeling.
  • Experience with messaging and queuing platforms such as Kafka, RabbitMQ, or similar.
  • Familiarity with testing strategies and CI workflows; comfort with debugging and incident triage.
  • Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and communicate technical decisions clearly.
  • Experience creating and maintaining Docker containers, Helm charts, orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes clusters, and using cloud infrastructure services (AWS/Azure/GCP).
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent practical experience.
  • At least 10+years performing backend software engineering.
  • Active TS/SCI clearance.
  • Ability to work on-site at one of the following locations - Virginia: Fairfax, Chantilly, McLean, Sterling or Colorado: Colorado Springs.

Nice to have:
  • Experience designing distributed systems (caching, queues, streaming, idempotency, retries, circuit breakers).
  • Observability experience: metrics, logging, tracing; familiarity with SLOs/SLIs and incident response practices.
  • Experience with data pipelines, ETL/ELT, or search platforms.
  • Knowledge of security best practices (threat modeling, secrets management, secure SDLC).
  • Experience with performance testing and capacity planning.

Millennial Software Solutions Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability and genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.
Salary Description
$180,000 - $210,000 annually

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