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Volunteer Software Development Jobs in Massachusetts

Software Engineering Manager

Boston, MA · On-site

$170K - $180K/yr

Software Development Manager Reporting to: Director of Software Engineering Department: Technology ... Commuter benefits, FSA options, pet insurance, home & auto discounts, and paid volunteer time off ...

We're looking for a Software Development Manager to lead and develop a team of engineers ... Commuter benefits, FSA options, pet insurance, home & auto discounts, and paid volunteer time off ...

Showing results 21-40

Volunteer Software Development information

See Massachusetts salary details

$86.8K

$155.2K

$194.9K

How much do volunteer software development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for volunteer software development in Massachusetts is $155,193.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,900.00 and $178,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is volunteer software development?

Volunteer software development involves individuals offering their programming skills and technical expertise for free to support non-profit organizations, open-source projects, or community initiatives. These volunteers help build, maintain, or improve software systems without monetary compensation, often to support causes they care about. This work can range from designing websites to developing complex applications, and may be done remotely or on-site. Volunteering in software development not only helps organizations achieve their missions but also provides volunteers with valuable experience and networking opportunities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a volunteer software developer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Volunteer Software Developer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages, version control, and software development principles, typically gained through education or self-study. Familiarity with platforms like GitHub, issue trackers, and common frameworks or libraries is highly beneficial. Strong communication, teamwork, and a proactive attitude help you collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders. These skills enable volunteers to contribute meaningful code, support project goals, and drive positive impact in resource-limited environments.

What are some common challenges faced by volunteer software developers, and how can they be effectively managed?

Volunteer software developers often work with teams that have varying skill levels and may be distributed across different time zones, making communication and coordination challenging. Additionally, since volunteer roles are typically part-time or flexible, balancing project deadlines with volunteers’ availability requires strong project management and clear expectations. To manage these challenges, it’s helpful to use collaborative tools, maintain regular check-ins, and establish clear documentation and coding standards. Open communication and a supportive team culture can also help volunteers stay engaged and productive.

What is the difference between Volunteer Software Development vs Software Developer?

AspectVolunteer Software DevelopmentSoftware Developer
CredentialsTypically no formal credentials required; passion and basic coding skillsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field often required
Work EnvironmentNon-profit, open-source projects, or community initiativesCorporate, startup, or freelance settings
Employer & IndustryNon-profit organizations, open-source communitiesTech companies, startups, consulting firms
Search & Comparison IntentVolunteering opportunities, unpaid coding rolesPaid employment, career development

Volunteer Software Development involves unpaid work for non-profit or open-source projects, often with flexible credentials. Software Developers typically work in paid roles within companies, requiring formal education and professional experience. Both roles involve coding but differ mainly in compensation, work environment, and career progression.

What are the most commonly searched types of Software Development jobs in Massachusetts? The most popular types of Software Development jobs in Massachusetts are:
What are popular job titles related to Volunteer Software Development jobs in Massachusetts? For Volunteer Software Development jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Volunteer Software Development job openings in Massachusetts as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,193 per year, or $74.6 per hour.

Autonomy Software Engineer

Scientific Systems Company, Inc.

Burlington, MA • Hybrid

$108K - $131K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Our Autonomy Software Engineer will be part of the company's core AI-enabled Autonomy Software development team. Primary responsibilities include day-to-day, agile software engineering for initial development, DevSecOps and CI/CD integration, and ongoing software test and evaluation using advanced modeling and simulation platforms. Additional responsibilities include providing autonomy software integration and test support to multiple autonomy programs aligned with specific customer autonomy objectives.  

Essential Functions:

  • Support migrations of Scientific Systems software applications to the SSCI Digital Engineering Environment, as directed, in support of current and future USG and DoD software acquisition requirements. 
  • Write and review software documentation.  
  • Support development sprints and code reviews. 
  • Develop software to achieve program milestones as directed, in accordance with modern software engineering Agile Software Development methodologies.  
  • Support Prime and customer-facing interactions.  
  • Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in software engineering and other areas relevant to SSCI (Navigation, Mission Planning, Autonomy, etc.). 
  • This role may require the ability to sit or stand at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods of time. 
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a US DOD Security Clearance.

Requirements

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelors' of Science degree in Math, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, Physical Science, Operations Research, or Data Science, or equivalent experience and 3+ years progressive software engineering experience in a related industry and relevant experience with software development/R&D of AI for Robotics, Machine Learning, Robot Planning/Optimization Techniques, and/or Autonomous Uncrewed Systems Software 
  • Experience working as part of an autonomy integration team, including leading autonomy software to achieve operationally relevant software capabilities. 
  • Experience using modern software development tool chains and processes including build, test, and documentation methodologies as well as experience performing configuration (user accounts, project settings) for tools such as git/Gitlab/Github, Confluence/Jira, CI/CD, build automation tools, automated test methodologies, Model-Based System Engineering tools and techniques, etc. 
  • Experience using C/C++, Python, and/or project-specific required languages (e.g. Java, Rust, etc.). 
  • Experience designing object-oriented class structures with well-designed API within the languages of interest. 
  • Experience with DoD or other common robotics and datalink architecture standards. (especially OMS, ROS, and AFSIM, as well as FACE, DDS, STANAG 4586, J-Series, etc) 
  • Experience designing software architecture for complex software systems and integrate with DoD-standard architectures and interfaces. 
  • Experience identifying and clarifying customer technical requirements and aligning technical efforts with requirements. 

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's of Science degree or PhD 
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail 
  • Significant experience in AI/Autonomy/Robotics advanced technologies and software as demonstrated in successfully field-tested unmanned systems 
  • Experience in Linux-based development environments 
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills including technical writing skills used to write clear documentation for developed code. 
  • Ability to identify and creatively solve complex problems. 
  • Ability to execute logical reasoning and decision-making skills. 
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. 

Benefits

  • Salary: $108,000 - $131,000 (Depends on Experience)
  • Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
  • Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
  • Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
  • Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
  • Short Term & Long Term Disability
  • Training & Development
  • Hybrid Work Schedule
  • Free Food & Snacks
  • Wellness Resources
  • Summer 9/80 work schedule