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Sustaining Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... sustaining software in support of DoD, Navy, electronic warfare, tactical, or mission system ... This position will work with Government leads, systems engineers, software developers ...

... sustaining software in support of DoD, Navy, electronic warfare, tactical, or mission system ... This position will work with Government leads, systems engineers, software developers ...

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Sustaining Software Engineer information

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$67K

$129.7K

$224K

How much do sustaining software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for sustaining software engineer in the United States is $129,678.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,000.00 and $141,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a sustaining software engineer?

Sustaining Software Engineers are professionals responsible for maintaining, supporting, and improving existing software products after their initial release. They focus on fixing bugs, addressing customer-reported issues, ensuring compatibility with new technologies, and implementing minor enhancements to keep the software reliable and up-to-date. Unlike development engineers, who work primarily on new features or products, sustaining engineers ensure the ongoing stability and quality of released software. Their work is crucial for customer satisfaction and long-term software success.

What are common challenges faced by sustaining software engineers and how are they addressed?

Sustaining Software Engineers often encounter the challenge of resolving complex, legacy code issues while ensuring minimal disruption to existing users. They must quickly diagnose problems, implement effective fixes, and coordinate with product and support teams to prioritize work. Staying up-to-date with evolving technologies and documentation practices is also crucial, as they frequently work on older systems. Open communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams help address these challenges and maintain software reliability.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a sustaining software engineer?

To thrive as a Sustaining Software Engineer, you need strong problem-solving skills, proficiency in debugging, and a solid background in software development, often supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with issue tracking systems, source control tools like Git, and experience with programming languages relevant to the product are typically required. Excellent communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams help distinguish top performers. These skills ensure timely resolution of software issues, maintain product stability, and support ongoing customer satisfaction.

What is the difference between Sustaining Software Engineer vs Software Developer?

AspectSustaining Software EngineerSoftware Developer
Primary FocusMaintaining, troubleshooting, and improving existing software systemsDesigning and developing new software applications
Work EnvironmentOften in support or maintenance teams, working on existing codebasesTypically in development teams, creating new features and products
Required SkillsStrong debugging, problem-solving, and understanding of existing codeProficiency in coding, software design, and new development

While both roles require programming skills, Sustaining Software Engineers focus on maintaining and improving existing systems, whereas Software Developers primarily create new software solutions. The roles often overlap in industry and skills but differ in their core responsibilities.

More about Sustaining Software Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Sustaining Software Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Sustaining Software Engineer job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Sustaining Software Engineer jobs? The top employers for Sustaining Software Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Sustaining Software Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Sustaining Software Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Sustaining Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $129,678 per year, or $62.3 per hour.

Sustaining Software Engineer

Johnson Health Tech North America Inc

Cottage Grove, WI • On-site

Other

Re-posted 4 days ago


Johnson Health Tech rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

150th of 487 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

Description


Turning real-world product challenges into smarter, stronger fitness technology

At Johnson Health Tech, we build fitness equipment and technology that helps people move, train, recover, and stay connected to their goals. Behind every console, feature, update, and customer experience is a team that makes sure our products work the way they should - in the lab, in the field, and everywhere in between.


We're looking for a Sustaining Software Engineer to join our Software Engineering team in Cottage Grove, WI. This role is a great fit for someone who enjoys solving real-world problems, digging into technical details, and working across teams to turn customer and field feedback into better products.


If you like troubleshooting, improving processes, working with global teams, and finding the "why" behind an issue, this could be a great opportunity to grow your engineering career with a global fitness brand.


What You'll Bring to the Team

In this role, you'll help support and improve the software behind our fitness consoles. You'll work with engineering, product management, customer support, testing, and DevOps teams to troubleshoot issues, strengthen testing processes, and support quality improvements. 


You'll spend your time:

  • Troubleshooting field issues related to software and hardware
  • Turning field quality issues into clear, actionable testing requirements
  • Supporting and improving automated test processes and testing infrastructure
  • Creating and improving quality reports and automated reporting tools
  • Communicating directly with tech support, quality, product managers, and global software teams
  • Helping improve testing processes, practices, and documentation
  • Supporting individual development projects as needed

Requirements


What Will Help You Succeed

We're looking for someone who is curious, collaborative, and comfortable jumping into complex problems. You don't need to know everything on day one, but you should enjoy learning, asking good questions, and working with others to find practical solutions.


Qualified candidates will bring:

  • Bachelor's degree or above in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or another science/technical engineering field preferred
  • Experience with object-oriented programming in a language such as C++, C#, Java, or Kotlin
  • Experience with scripting languages such as Python or JavaScript
  • Experience with built-in and integration unit testing
  • Experience writing or editing technical documentation
  • Experience with project sustaining or inherited projects preferred
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work well with diverse teams and individuals
  • Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally
  • Ability and willingness to communicate with overseas teams during non-business hours when needed


Why Johnson Health Tech?

Johnson Health Tech is a global fitness company with a family of brands that includes Matrix, Vision, and Horizon. We design, manufacture, and support fitness equipment used by people around the world - from commercial fitness facilities to homes and specialty wellness spaces.


This role gives you the chance to be part of a team that directly impacts product quality and customer experience. You'll work on real issues, collaborate with global teams, and help make our products stronger for the people who use them every day.



Equal Opportunity Employer, including Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

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