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.
Find C Software Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 24+ C Software Engineer jobs
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Department of Defense active Secret security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required. Candidate must be local to the area and able to work onsite.
At General Dynamics Mission Systems, we build advanced technologies that keep our nation safe and our warfighters prepared. Our engineers tackle some of the most complex and consequential challenges in defense, delivering solutions that redefine innovation and make a real impact on national security. Now, we're looking for talented Software Engineers to be part of something extraordinary.
The SLCM-N program is a brand-new capability being developed to strengthen the United States Navy's strategic deterrence mission. This is a rare opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a high-impact program and help shape its future from day one.
You'll work alongside a close-knit, mission-driven team to design, develop, and test software for a system that truly matters. If you want your work to make a real difference for national security, this is where you belong.
Key Responsibilities:
- Contribute to architectural standards, technical roadmaps, and design decisions for networking and distributed systems
- Implement and optimize networking solutions for mission-critical systems
- Contribute to software development, testing methodologies, and system integration practices
- Contribute to resolution of highly complex software and networking issues with significant system-wide impact
- Collaborate on complex software integration and issue resolution
- Participate in technical reviews and drive continuous improvement of software development practices
- Support program reviews, customer engagements, and technical planning activities
What Sets You Apart:
- Very solid working knowledge of software engineering concepts, principles, and theories.
- Very solid proficiency in coding, testing, integrating, and documenting software solutions.
- Ability to follow standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data.
- Very solid collaboration skills with project leaders and other professionals.
- Competence in research, design, development, and testing of software and tools.
- Application of principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis.
- Very solid written and verbal communications skills.
- Very solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
- Identifies opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation.
We Encourage You to Apply if You Have Any of These Preferred Skills or Experiences:
- 2+ years of software development experience; proficiency in C++ a strong plus
- Experience designing and implementing networking protocols, socket programming, and distributed communication systems
- Familiarity with Linux environments, system-level programming, and Bash scripting
- Proven experience with Agile/SAFe methodologies in large-scale development environments
- Advanced knowledge of the Qt Framework
- Strong background in containerization and orchestration technologies (Kubernetes and Docker)
- Experience with Git workflow design and branching strategies for large-scale development teams
- In-depth understanding of Submarine Warfare Federated Tactical Systems (SWFTS) architecture and integration
- Comprehensive knowledge of submarine systems, operations, and tactical mission requirements
- Experience with real-time systems, embedded programming, and performance optimization
- Active Secret security clearance
Our Commitment to You:
- An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
- Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation’s security
- Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work, if desired (9/80 schedule)
- Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more
- See more at gdmissionsystems.com/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits
Workplace Options:
This position is fully on-site
While on-site, you will be a part of the Progeny Mansassas, VA team
#LI-TM1
Salary Note: This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled. Combined Salary Range: USD $100,219.00 - USD $111,180.00 /Yr. Company Overview:
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Department of Defense active Secret security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required. Candidate must be local to the area and able to work onsite.
At General Dynamics Mission Systems, we build advanced technologies that keep our nation safe and our warfighters prepared. Our engineers tackle some of the most complex and consequential challenges in defense, delivering solutions that redefine innovation and make a real impact on national security. Now, we're looking for talented Software Engineers to be part of something extraordinary.
The SLCM-N program is a brand-new capability being developed to strengthen the United States Navy's strategic deterrence mission. This is a rare opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a high-impact program and help shape its future from day one.
You'll work alongside a close-knit, mission-driven team to design, develop, and test software for a system that truly matters. If you want your work to make a real difference for national security, this is where you belong.
Key Responsibilities:
- Contribute to architectural standards, technical roadmaps, and design decisions for networking and distributed systems
- Implement and optimize networking solutions for mission-critical systems
- Contribute to software development, testing methodologies, and system integration practices
- Contribute to resolution of highly complex software and networking issues with significant system-wide impact
- Collaborate on complex software integration and issue resolution
- Participate in technical reviews and drive continuous improvement of software development practices
- Support program reviews, customer engagements, and technical planning activities
What Sets You Apart:
- Very solid working knowledge of software engineering concepts, principles, and theories.
- Very solid proficiency in coding, testing, integrating, and documenting software solutions.
- Ability to follow standard practices and procedures in analyzing situations or data.
- Very solid collaboration skills with project leaders and other professionals.
- Competence in research, design, development, and testing of software and tools.
- Application of principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis.
- Very solid written and verbal communications skills.
- Very solid working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
- Identifies opportunities to apply AI for continuous improvement and innovation.
We Encourage You to Apply if You Have Any of These Preferred Skills or Experiences:
- 2+ years of software development experience; proficiency in C++ a strong plus
- Experience designing and implementing networking protocols, socket programming, and distributed communication systems
- Familiarity with Linux environments, system-level programming, and Bash scripting
- Proven experience with Agile/SAFe methodologies in large-scale development environments
- Advanced knowledge of the Qt Framework
- Strong background in containerization and orchestration technologies (Kubernetes and Docker)
- Experience with Git workflow design and branching strategies for large-scale development teams
- In-depth understanding of Submarine Warfare Federated Tactical Systems (SWFTS) architecture and integration
- Comprehensive knowledge of submarine systems, operations, and tactical mission requirements
- Experience with real-time systems, embedded programming, and performance optimization
- Active Secret security clearance
Our Commitment to You:
- An exciting career path with opportunities for continuous learning and development.
- Research oriented work, alongside award winning teams developing practical solutions for our nation’s security
- Flexible schedules with every other Friday off work, if desired (9/80 schedule)
- Competitive benefits, including 401k matching, flex time off, paid parental leave, healthcare benefits, health & wellness programs, employee resource and social groups, and more
- See more at gdmissionsystems.com/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits
Workplace Options:
This position is fully on-site
While on-site, you will be a part of the Progeny Mansassas, VA team
#LI-TM1
Salary Note: This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled. Combined Salary Range: USD $100,219.00 - USD $111,180.00 /Yr. Company Overview:
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans
See All 24 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
Top Industries Hiring
- Media & Entertainment
- Technology & Software
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 Comcast, General Dynamics Information Technology, and Amentum, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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 Fort Belvoir, Dahlgren, and Manassas. 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 55% of c software engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 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 24 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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