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Staff Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

IT Veterans

Backend Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

Backend Software Engineer Location: Washington, D.C. Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI Position Overview IT Veterans is seeking a highly skilled Backend Software Engineer to support the design ...

IT Veterans

Backend Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Backend Software Engineer Location: Washington, D.C. Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI Position Overview IT Veterans is seeking a highly skilled Backend Software Engineer to support the design ...

teKnoluxion

Backend Software Engineer

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$195K/yr

Overview Backend Software Engineer Gaithersburg, MD Active TS (SCI eligibility) clearance and eligibility to obtain a CI poly required At Bcore, our strength comes from how we deliver impact to the ...

teKnoluxion

Backend Software Engineer

Gaithersburg, MD

$195K/yr

Overview Backend Software Engineer Gaithersburg, MD Active TS (SCI eligibility) clearance and eligibility to obtain a CI poly required At Bcore, our strength comes from how we deliver impact to the ...

teKnoluxion

Backend Software Engineer

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$195K/yr

Backend Software Engineer Gaithersburg, MD Active TS (SCI eligibility) clearance and eligibility to obtain a CI poly required At Bcore, our strength comes from how we deliver impact to the mission.

SmartIPlace

Backend Software Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

Backend Software Engineer Location: Washington, DC Requirement The Senior Backend Software Engineer will be responsible for the analysis, design, and development of mission-critical, cloud-native ...

Quevera

Backend Software Developer

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$166.08 - $221.53/hr

Backend Software Developer Annapolis Junction, MD, US 6 days ago Requisition ID: 3451 Salary Range ... Fourteen (14) years of experience as a Software Engineer supporting programs and contracts of ...

Molg

Backend Software Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

As a Backend Software Engineer, you will: * Lead the design and implementation of scalable backend systems and microservices architecture that power Molg's robotics and assembly intelligence ...

MOLG Inc.

Backend Software Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

As a Backend Software Engineer, you will: * Lead the design and implementation of scalable backend systems and microservices architecture that power Molg's robotics and assembly intelligence ...

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All JobsStaff Backend Software Engineer JobsStaff Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Staff Backend Software Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$68.5K

$167.2K

$225.4K

How much do staff backend software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff backend software engineer in Washington, DC is $167,241.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $140,400.00 and $194,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 Washington, DC?

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

What job categories do people searching Staff Backend Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Staff Backend Software Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Staff Backend Software Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Staff Backend Software Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $167,241 per year, or $80.4 per hour.

Backend Software Engineer

IT Veterans

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Backend Software Engineer
Location: Washington, D.C.
Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI
Position Overview
IT Veterans is seeking a highly skilled Backend Software Engineer to support the design, development, and maintenance of secure, scalable backend solutions for web applications operating in Department of Defense (DoD) environments at Impact Level 5 (IL5) and above.
The ideal candidate will develop reliable server-side applications and services that integrate commercial Frontier AI models into secure DoD systems. This role requires a strong background in backend development, cloud technologies, secure software engineering, and modern DevSecOps practices.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, test, and maintain secure backend components for modern web applications using industry-standard frameworks and technologies.
  • Develop and maintain RESTful APIs that enable seamless communication between frontend and backend systems while supporting multi-model integrations with Frontier AI platforms.
  • Write clean, efficient, maintainable, and well-documented code that follows secure coding practices and established software engineering standards.
  • Collaborate with product managers, designers, frontend developers, and other technical stakeholders to gather requirements, develop solutions, and implement new features.
  • Participate in peer code reviews to maintain high code quality, identify improvement opportunities, and contribute to development best practices.
  • Troubleshoot application issues, resolve backend performance bottlenecks, and optimize system reliability and scalability across both classified and unclassified environments.
  • Continuously evaluate emerging backend technologies, cloud capabilities, and advancements in the generative AI landscape to support ongoing innovation.

Required Qualifications:
  • Active TS/SCI security clearance.
  • Strong experience developing backend applications using Golang, Python, or comparable programming languages.
  • Experience working with relational and/or NoSQL databases, including PostgreSQL or similar technologies.
  • Familiarity with version control systems such as Git and modern CI/CD pipelines.
  • Solid understanding of web application security principles, secure software design, authentication methods, and cybersecurity best practices.
  • Experience developing and deploying containerized applications using Kubernetes.
  • Experience working with cloud platforms, including Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, or Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP) experience and/or industry certifications.
  • Microsoft Azure experience and/or certifications.
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) experience and/or certifications.
  • Experience with DevOps methodologies, automation, and supporting toolsets.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
  • Demonstrated curiosity and commitment to staying current with emerging technologies, cloud services, and the rapidly evolving field of generative artificial intelligence.

At IT Veterans LLC, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.

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