1

System Development Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Guides system development and implementation planning through assessment or preparation of system engineering management plans and system integration and test plans. Interacts with the Government ...

Guides system development and implementation planning through assessment or preparation of system engineering management plans and system integration and test plans. Interacts with the Government ...

Guides system development and implementation planning through assessment or preparation of system engineering management plans and system integration and test plans. Interacts with the Government ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

System Development Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$60.6K

$144.1K

$189.1K

How much do system development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for system development engineer in Washington is $144,083.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,000.00 and $177,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a System Development Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a System Development Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, systems architecture, and programming languages like Python, Java, or C++. Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), automation tools, CI/CD systems, and relevant certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect are often required. Excellent problem-solving skills, teamwork, and adaptability help you effectively address complex system challenges and collaborate across technical teams. These skills and qualifications are vital for designing, building, and maintaining robust, scalable systems that support organizational goals.

What are some common challenges System Development Engineers face when working on large-scale projects?

System Development Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating new features into complex legacy systems, ensuring scalability, and maintaining high reliability under heavy loads. Coordinating with cross-functional teams, such as QA, DevOps, and product managers, can add layers of communication and alignment that require strong collaboration skills. Additionally, keeping up with rapidly evolving technologies and best practices is essential for delivering robust solutions.

What does a System Development Engineer do?

A System Development Engineer designs, develops, and maintains complex systems and infrastructure, often focusing on scalability, reliability, and performance. They work with both hardware and software components, integrating them to create efficient solutions that support business needs. Their responsibilities may include system architecture design, troubleshooting, automation, and collaborating with other engineers to implement best practices. They typically work in environments that require a deep understanding of both development and operations.

What is the difference between System Development Engineer vs Software Engineer?

AspectSystem Development EngineerSoftware Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field; sometimes certifications in systems or network managementBachelor's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field; certifications like Java, Python, or cloud platforms
Work EnvironmentDesigning, developing, and testing integrated systems, often involving hardware and software componentsDeveloping, coding, and testing software applications and programs
Industry UsageUsed in industries like telecommunications, aerospace, and manufacturing for system integrationCommon across tech companies, startups, and software firms for application development

While both roles involve technical development, System Development Engineers focus on creating and integrating complex systems, often combining hardware and software. Software Engineers primarily develop software applications and code. The roles overlap in skills like programming but differ in scope and focus.

What are popular job titles related to System Development Engineer jobs in Washington? For System Development Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching System Development Engineer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for System Development Engineer jobs in Washington are:
Infographic showing various System Development Engineer job openings in Washington as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,083 per year, or $69.3 per hour.
System Development Engineer II, Platform Engineering and Emerging Technologies

System Development Engineer II, Platform Engineering and Emerging Technologies

Amazon

Herndon, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 6,784 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

The Platform Engineering and Emerging Technologies (PEET) team is hiring for a System Development Engineer to support AWS Cryptography and PKI Services! You'll design, deploy, monitor, and automate infrastructure, tools and systems to provide a highly-available and resilient platform for our customers' and our team's workloads.
Would you like to implement innovative cloud computing solutions and solve the world's most complex technical problems? Do you have a deep passion and desire to engineer and operate the world's largest cloud computing infrastructure to build a better world for future generations?
This is an exciting opportunity to use the latest cloud computing technologies to help U.S. Government agencies implement innovative cloud computing solutions and solve technical problems. AWS established a specialized group of service teams responsible for the work we are doing with the U.S. Intelligence Community. We are building some of the largest and most complex distributed systems in the world, and we need adaptable people to help us implement and operate them.
This position requires that the candidate selected must currently possess and maintain an active TS/SCI security clearance. The position further requires that, after start, the selected candidate obtain and maintain an active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph or commensurate clearance for each government agency for which they perform AWS work.
Key job responsibilities
- Design, deploy, monitor, and automate infrastructure, tools and systems to provide a highly-available and resilient platform for our customers' and our team's workloads.
- This position involves on-call responsibilities, typically for one week in every six. We don't like getting paged in the middle of the night or on the weekend, so we work to ensure that our systems are fault tolerant. When we do get paged, we work together to resolve the root cause so that we don't get paged for the same issue twice.
About the team
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating - that's why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
AWS Infrastructure Services (AIS)
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we're the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain - and we're looking for talented people who want to help.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it's in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there's nothing we can't achieve in the cloud.
Mentorship and Career Growth
We're continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth's Best Employer. That's why you'll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn't followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don't let it stop you from applying.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree, or CSSLP (Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional)
- 2+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 1+ years of designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals (networking, storage, operating systems)
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as C++, C#, Java, Python, Golang, PowerShell, Ruby
- Current, active US Government Security Clearance of Top Secret with SCI eligibility or above
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with distributed systems at scale
- Experience with Linux/Unix
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, VA, Arlington - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Herndon - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually

What Amazon employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Amazon logo

About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate and computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US