Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Backend Software Engineer jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the mid-Atlantic region, with strong demand concentrated in defense technology, federal contracting, cloud infrastructure, and fintech, covering everyone from entry-level developers through principal engineers. Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads corridor are the primary hiring centers, home to established employers like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and Capital One that maintain large, permanent engineering teams in the state. The most sought-after specialties include cloud-native development, distributed systems, and API design for secure government and financial platforms. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles61
Top employerCapital One
Top cityMcLean, VA
Cities hiring15
Work type44% On-site
Top industryBanking

Showing 5 of 61+ Backend Software Engineer jobs

Booz Allen Hamilton
Back End Developer
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Booz Allen Hamilton
Added 1d ago
Back End Developer
Booz Allen Hamilton
McLean, Virginia
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Assistant
$87k - $198k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in information technology
10,000+

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S
Senior Backend Developer-Scala/Akka
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S
Added 1d ago
Senior Backend Developer-Scala/Akka
SNO
Chantilly, Virginia
Business Strategy
Compliance & Risk
Consulting & Professional Services
$140k - $175k/yr
Hybrid
Master's degree

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Information Technology Senior Management Forum
Senior Lead Software Engineer, Back End
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Information Technology Senior Management Forum
Added 2d ago
Senior Lead Software Engineer, Back End
Information Technology Senior Management Forum
McLean, Virginia
Customer Service
Customer Support
$230k - $262k/yr
Master's degree
51-200

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R
Backend Developer
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R
Added 2d ago
Backend Developer
Riser
Alexandria, Virginia
Automation QA
Cloud & DevOps
DevOps
$125k - $145k/yr
Hybrid

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Capital One
Lead Software Engineer, Back End (Enterprise Platforms Technology)
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Capital One
Added 6d ago
Lead Software Engineer, Back End (Enterprise Platforms Technology)
Capital One
McLean, Virginia
Construction Management
Program Management
Project Management
Master's degree
10,000+

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See All 61 Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia

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Backend Software Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

McLean
23 jobs
Arlington
5 jobs
Vienna
4 jobs
Chantilly
3 jobs
Alexandria
3 jobs
Falls Church
3 jobs
Reston
2 jobs
Dulles
1 job

Backend Software Engineer Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Capital One
    Capital One23
  • Information Technology Senior Management Forum
    Information Technology Senior Management Forum7
  • Chenega Corporation
    Chenega Corporation3
  • SAIC
    SAIC2
  • Booz Allen Hamilton
    Booz Allen Hamilton2

Top Industries Hiring

  • Banking & Financial Services
  • Insurance
  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in backend software engineer jobs across Virginia.

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field
  • Proficiency in one or more backend languages such as Java, Python, Go, or C++
  • Experience designing and maintaining RESTful APIs and microservices architectures
  • Familiarity with cloud platforms including AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
  • Ability to obtain or hold a U.S. security clearance for defense and federal contract roles
  • Experience with relational and NoSQL databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MongoDB

Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a backend software engineer in Virginia?

Backend software engineering has no state-issued license in Virginia, so the path runs through education and demonstrated technical skill. Most Virginia employers expect a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related discipline, though candidates with strong portfolios and relevant bootcamp credentials do compete successfully. For roles tied to defense contractors and federal agencies, which are prevalent across Northern Virginia, obtaining a security clearance early is a practical differentiator that opens a large share of the local market.

How much do backend software engineers make in Virginia?

Backend software engineers in Virginia earn a median of about $136,460 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $83,350 for the lowest 10% to over $211,930 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire backend software engineers in Virginia?

Employers hiring backend software engineers in Virginia right now include Capital One, Information Technology Senior Management Forum, and Chenega Corporation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of federal contractors and technology firms means many of these roles sit inside large, multi-year government programs where backend engineering teams tend to grow steadily rather than in cyclical bursts.

Which Virginia cities have the most backend software engineer jobs?

McLean, Richmond, and Arlington have the most backend software engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates because it hosts one of the largest concentrations of federal agencies, defense contractors, and hyperscale data center campuses in the country, while Richmond draws engineering talent through its fintech, insurance technology, and healthcare IT sectors, and Hampton Roads benefits from sustained Navy and military systems contracting activity.

Are there remote backend software engineer jobs in Virginia?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 56% of backend software engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how naturally the work adapts to distributed environments. Roles focused on cloud infrastructure, API development, and application services tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions requiring access to classified systems or secure facilities in Northern Virginia are typically on-site or require local presence.

How can I get hired as a backend software engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry point is an associate or junior developer role within one of Virginia's large federal IT contractors, where firms like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and SAIC regularly run new-graduate programs and rotational engineering tracks. Candidates transitioning from adjacent roles in QA engineering, technical support, or data analysis at Virginia technology companies often move into backend development by building a project portfolio that demonstrates server-side work. A GitHub portfolio, a relevant cloud certification, and any clearance eligibility substantially improve a candidate's standing in the Northern Virginia market specifically.

Where can I find and apply to backend software engineer jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to backend software engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across industries and experience levels. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your background and location, and apply directly to each position without any intermediate steps.

See All 61 Backend Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia

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