C Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia
C Software Engineer jobs in Virginia are consistently in demand, with strong hiring concentrated in defense contracting, federal IT systems, and embedded systems development across seniority levels from entry-level to principal engineer. The Northern Virginia corridor, Hampton Roads, and Richmond are the primary hiring centers, anchored by major employers such as Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon Technologies. The most sought-after specialties include real-time systems programming, firmware development, and low-level systems work supporting defense and intelligence programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Opportunity:
As a software engineer, you understand the workings behind complex systems. That knowledge is key when it comes to advancing technological status for weapons and combat systems. We’re looking for an engineer who can apply their expertise to research and develop software for an embedded controls project while also mentoring and leading junior engineers, fostering technical growth, promoting best practices, and contributing to the success of the engineering team.
At Booz Allen, you’ll use your engineering skills to transform the Navy. Our team supports advanced weapon systems for use in complex environments. That’s why we need an engineer like you who specializes in software development to help us research, design, and develop embedded control systems. You’ll impact the DoW by advancing future state-of-the-art personnel and shipboard defense capabilities. This is a chance to use your engineering skills while gaining experience in Directed Energy, embedded control systems, test and evaluation, and applied research.
Take on exciting challenges in our Global Defense Sector with us as we develop defensive capabilities for our nation's warfighters!
Join us. The world can’t wait
You Have:
- 5+ years of experience developing C++ software
- Experience mentoring junior developers
- Experience leading the design and development of integrated hardware or software systems
- Experience across the full development lifecycle, including requirements analysis and development, design, implementation, testing, integration, and deployment
- Experience in designing and extending state machine architecture
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including hardware and system engineers
- Experience developing and debugging software in Linux environments
- Ability to research, evaluate, and adopt new technologies and apply them to project requirements
- Ability to travel up to 10% of the time
- Secret clearance
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering
Nice If You Have:
- Experience developing software in Rust or Python
- Experience with Agile development methodologies
- Experience with network protocol implementation, interface development, and communication protocols
- Experience with Protocol Buffers (Protobuf), gRPC, and RabbitMQ
- Experience designing or developing safety-critical systems
- Experience managing versioning and release processes
- Experience developing and utilizing automated test frameworks and tools
- Experience working with Docker and containerized development environments
- Experience working with Directed Energy or RF systems
Clearance:
Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Skills Assessment
As part of Booz Allen’s skills first hiring process, candidates must complete the required skills assessment to ensure they meet the Basic Qualifications for this role. Candidates must complete the assessment and meet the minimum proficiency threshold to continue in the hiring process.
Compensation
At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen’s benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.
Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $86,800.00 to $198,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen’s total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.Identity Statement
As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.
Candidate AI Usage Policy
AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.
Work Model
Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings.
- Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.
- Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen or customer facility, in alignment with your leadership's expectations and the needs of the role.
- Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed full-time at a customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.
Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.
See All 25 C Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find C Software Engineer JobsC Software Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
C Software Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in C software engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related technical field
- Proficiency in C programming with hands-on experience in systems or embedded development
- Active or obtainable U.S. security clearance, commonly required by Virginia defense contractors
- Experience with real-time operating systems such as VxWorks, FreeRTOS, or POSIX-compliant environments
- Familiarity with debugging tools, hardware interfaces, and low-level memory management
- Strong written communication skills for technical documentation and cross-functional collaboration
C Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a c software engineer in Virginia?
C software engineering in Virginia has no state-issued license or board registration, so the path runs through education and clearance. Most employers require a bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a closely related field. Because much of Virginia's demand comes from defense and federal IT, obtaining or being eligible for a U.S. security clearance significantly strengthens candidacy. Building demonstrated experience with C in embedded or systems contexts is the practical credential Virginia employers screen for.
How much do C software engineers make in Virginia?
C 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 c software engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring c software engineers in Virginia right now include Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI International, and CoStar, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's deep concentration of defense primes and federal systems integrators means a large share of these openings support government programs, making security clearance eligibility a recurring factor across postings.
Which Virginia cities have the most c software engineer jobs?
The cities with the most c software engineer openings in Virginia are Manassas, King George, and Fort Belvoir. Northern Virginia dominates because it hosts the headquarters and major operations of defense contractors and federal IT firms that rely heavily on C for systems and embedded work, while Hampton Roads draws significant volume from naval and aerospace programs concentrated along the coast.
Are there remote c software engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most engineering fields. About 91% of c software engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based and analytical nature of much of the work. That said, roles involving classified systems, hardware integration, or lab-based firmware development typically require on-site presence, so clearance-sensitive positions are least likely to be fully remote.
How can I get hired as a c software engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through internships or new-graduate programs at Virginia's large defense and federal IT contractors, where employers such as Leidos and Northrop Grumman run structured programs for candidates without professional experience. Adjacent roles in embedded systems testing, technical writing for systems documentation, or hardware QA can open the door. Building a portfolio of C projects, particularly anything involving real-time or low-level memory work, and pursuing a CompTIA Security+ to support clearance eligibility gives early-career candidates a measurable edge with Virginia employers.
Where can I find and apply to c software engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to c software engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, clearance status, and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 25 C Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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