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Staff Software Engineer Jobs in Baltimore, MD (NOW HIRING)

... made up of talented, dedicated staff to provide a broad range of services to the defense ... Looking for an Software Engineer to assist in planning and optimizing distributed data centers * A ...

Software Engineer II

Columbia, MD · On-site

$160K - $190K/yr

Software Engineer -- Distributed Web Applications Cloud Columbia, MD | Full Time | TS/SCI with ... Our leadership team and staff have helped solve the most complex challenges for the intelligence ...

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Staff Software Engineer information

See Baltimore, MD salary details

$60.1K

$160.1K

$218.6K

How much do staff software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff software engineer in Baltimore, MD is $160,123.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $133,600.00 and $189,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a staff software engineer?

A staff software engineer works on the technical team at an organization, typically under a senior management-level team member, to repair, develop, and maintain company software to ensure an efficient user experience. As a staff software engineer, your duties include finding and implementing solutions for issues, creating new software or applications by writing code, using visual development environments to debug, and ensuring the technical architecture runs smoothly. A significant aspect of your job is to not only contribute your skills but also mentor other software engineers to improve their skills and productivity.

What is a staff software engineer?

A Staff Software Engineer is a senior-level technical role responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing complex software systems. They often serve as technical leaders within their teams, guiding architecture decisions, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating across departments. Staff Software Engineers are expected to solve high-impact engineering problems, set technical standards, and ensure the quality and scalability of software products. Their role typically involves both hands-on coding and strategic planning to drive technological innovation within an organization.

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

To thrive as a Staff Software Engineer, you need deep expertise in software development, system architecture, and problem-solving, often supported by a relevant degree and significant industry experience. Mastery of programming languages (such as Java, Python, or C++), cloud platforms, version control systems, and familiarity with CI/CD pipelines are typically required. Exceptional leadership, strong communication, and mentorship abilities set candidates apart in this role. These skills are essential for designing scalable solutions, guiding technical teams, and ensuring the successful delivery of complex projects.

How does a staff software engineer typically contribute to setting technical direction within a team?

As a Staff Software Engineer, you are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the technical roadmap and ensuring architectural consistency across projects. This often involves mentoring junior engineers, reviewing system designs, and making critical decisions on technology choices and best practices. You'll collaborate closely with product managers, engineering leads, and other stakeholders to align technical goals with business objectives. Your leadership helps foster innovation while maintaining high standards for code quality and system reliability.

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

AspectStaff Software EngineerSenior Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in CS or related field; extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in CS; significant experience
Work EnvironmentLeads projects, mentors teams, influences technical strategyDevelops features, solves complex problems, mentors juniors
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large tech companies, enterprise environmentsWidespread across startups, mid-sized, and large companies

The main difference between a Staff Software Engineer and a Senior Software Engineer lies in scope and influence. Staff Engineers typically lead technical initiatives, mentor multiple teams, and shape engineering strategies, while Senior Engineers focus on developing features and solving complex problems within their teams. Both roles require strong technical skills, but Staff Engineers have a broader impact across projects and departments.

What do staff software engineers do?

Staff software engineers lead technical projects, design system architecture, and mentor other engineers. They often work on complex problems, collaborate across teams, and contribute to technical strategy while using tools like code repositories and development frameworks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Staff Software Engineer jobs in Baltimore, MD?

The most popular types of Staff Software Engineer jobs in Baltimore, MD are:

What cities near Baltimore, MD are hiring for Staff Software Engineer jobs?

Cities near Baltimore, MD with the most Staff Software Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Staff Software Engineer job openings in Baltimore, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $160,123 per year, or $77 per hour.

Staff Test Software Engineer

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Linthicum, MD • On-site

$169K - $253K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Northrop Grumman rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 368 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

66th of 545 rated manufacturers


Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: NoCLEARANCE TYPE: NoneTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman's Space Systems is looking for you to join our team as a Staff Test Software Engineer in Linthicum, MD, with the desire to learn new technologies and develop software for cutting-edge Space Payloads.

The integration and test software engineer will design, develop, integrate, and test software that manages test equipment and executes tests for a Space payload unit, ensuring compliance to established requirements. Selected individuals will work on an agile development team, primarily using Python, Tcl/Tk, and C++. The selected individual will utilize automated tools such as Jenkins and Robot Framework to enable automated testing and verification of the Space System.

The individual will work through all phases of the software development cycle, including design, development, integration, and test. The selected individual will conduct peer reviews of software-related products, software designs, and additional technical documents, as well as participate in a cross-functional scrum team.

Individuals must be self-starters and able to efficiently operate in a team environment. Existing engineering and system specialists will be made available to assist with any activities associated with executing primary tasking. However, the selected individuals will be expected to prioritize and make recommendations to Technical Leads, as required, to implement tasking assigned.

While not all positions will require an active clearance to start, all positions are contingent on the candidate's ability to obtain and hold a Top Secret/SCI clearance.

This position will work a 9/80 schedule, with every other Friday off. This position is 100% onsite and cannot accommodate telecommute work.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or another STEM discipline with a minimum of 12+ years software development experience working on embedded real-time systems 10+ years with a Master's Degree or 8 years with a Ph.D.

  • Experience developing software in Python

  • Experience testing real-time embedded systems

  • Ability to debug your own code, as well as trace and understand existing code

  • Experience integrating developed software applications, to include usage of tools and logs to examine data to verify correct operation and identify problem areas

  • Experience developing in a Linux and/or Windows environment

  • Experience in testing software systems

  • Debugging experience with debuggers (i.e. VS Code) and including Breakpoints, State Inspection, and Execution Control

  • Experience with using software configuration management tools

  • U.S. Citizenship required

  • No clearance is required to start, but you must have the ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a DoD Top Secret clearance with SCI

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience as a member of an Agile Scrum team

  • Experience with C++

  • Experience developing Tcl/Tk

  • Hands-on experience in controlling test equipment through software (Oscilloscopes, Signal Generators, Signal Analyzers, Power Supplies, etc.)

  • Hands-on experience integrating RF, digital, or optic based systems/equipment

  • Experience with automation tools such as Jenkins and Robot Framework

  • Experience in embedded Python software optimizations

  • Familiarity writing Unit Tests

  • Experience with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket)

  • Active TS/SCI Clearance

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards

#SpaceEngJobs
#SpaceSoftwareJobs

#BaltimoreSpace

Primary Level Salary Range: $169,000.00 - $253,600.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939