Lead Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Lead Software Engineer jobs in Virginia are in high demand, concentrated in defense technology, federal contracting, and cloud infrastructure sectors, with openings at every level from senior developer to principal engineering lead. Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads corridor anchor most hiring, with established employers like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Capital One running active engineering teams across the state. Cloud architecture, distributed systems, and DevSecOps are the most sought-after specialties in Virginia listings right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Are you a software developer with a passion for coding, collaboration, and mentorship? Join Kinsale Insurance, a fast-growing and successful excess and surplus (E&S) lines carrier headquartered in Richmond, VA. We foster a highly collaborative technology environment where developers work side by side with product teams and business stakeholders in a dynamic, Agile setting where your contributions matter from day one.
We're hiring across experience levels — from developers looking to deepen their architectural thinking to seasoned engineers ready to lead by example and influence architecture decisions.
About the Role
As a Software Developer / Senior Software Developer, you'll join one of our cross-functional Agile teams and contribute to the full lifecycle of enterprise applications, from design to deployment. You'll leverage generative AI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude Code) in day-to-day development to accelerate coding, automate repetitive tasks, and improve code quality and productivity — and, depending on experience, help shape the vision and roadmap for your team's software solutions.
What You'll Do
- Deliver high-quality, scalable code and solutions aligned with business needs and team objectives.
- Contribute to — or lead — the architecture and design of maintainable, enterprise-grade applications, aligning them with IT and business strategies.
- Research, evaluate, and recommend technologies and approaches to solve complex or evolving business challenges.
- Champion best practices in coding, testing, security, and Agile methodologies across the team.
- Identify opportunities to streamline code, reduce duplication, and improve system efficiency.
- Manage upstream and downstream dependencies across systems, teams, and environments to protect delivery timelines.
- Break down complex business and technical problems into well-defined components that support parallel development and incremental delivery.
- Collaborate closely with developers, product owners, and business stakeholders throughout the development lifecycle.
- Incorporate feedback from code reviews and design discussions to continuously grow technical depth and system understanding.
- Actively participate in Agile ceremonies, supporting continuous improvement, collaboration, and excellence.
What You Bring
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field — or bootcamp certification — preferred.
- Experience with Java (Spring, Spring Boot, Spring JPA, Docker, REST, SOAP, Hibernate) and Angular (v17+).
- Exposure to full-stack or enterprise applications with proficient knowledge in one or more areas.
- A curiosity for staying current on the latest trends and technologies, with an eye for practical opportunities to use them.
- Familiarity with technologies such as Java (Spring, Spring Boot, JPA, Docker, REST, SOAP, Hibernate), AWS SQS, AWS EKS, Python, Angular, Node.js, SQL, JSON, Kong, Confluent Kafka, and cloud technologies (preferably AWS) is a plus.
- Experience with tools such as SonarCloud, Git, GitLab, Maven, Visual Studio Code, and IntelliJ, plus CI/CD practices, is a plus.
- Familiarity with Agile software development practices and cross-functional team collaboration.
- Experience using AI coding assistants and LLMs (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude Code) to enhance development and automation.
Expected for senior level candidates:
- 3+ years of experience as a full-stack developer, with a strong foundation in enterprise application development.
- 2+ years of hands-on experience with AWS; AWS Certified Developer certification is a plus.
- Strong experience with Java, including Spring, Spring Boot, Spring JPA, Docker, REST, SOAP, and Hibernate.
- Proficiency leveraging AI coding assistants (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude Code) and Large Language Models to optimize engineering workflows.
- Solid understanding of RAG systems and autonomous agent-based architectures using proprietary or open-source AI models.
- Preferred: Experience with event-driven architecture, serverless technologies, AngularJS/Angular, Node.js, SQL, SQS, Confluent Kafka, Kong, and DevOps tools such as Git, GitLab, Maven, and SonarCloud.
Why You'll Love Working at Kinsale
- Competitive Pay & Bonus Opportunities – Rewarding performance, initiative, and technical excellence.
- Comprehensive Benefits – Health, dental, and vision insurance with up to $3,600 (individual) or $7,000 (family) in HSA contributions per year.
- Work-Life Balance – Generous paid time off including 22 days of PTO and 10 paid company holidays.
- Career Growth – Clear promotion paths, mentorship, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Retirement & Security – Up to 6% matching 401(k) contributions on base salary and bonus, plus standard life insurance and disability coverage.
- Continuous Learning – Annual $3,000 reimbursement for educational training, conferences, and certifications.
Integrity & Responsibility
Kinsale values strong financial responsibility. A credit check will be conducted as part of the selection process for roles that require sound judgment, trustworthiness, or access to sensitive information.
Ready to Apply?
If you're a motivated, collaborative engineer who thrives on innovation and building solutions that make a real difference, this is your opportunity. Join Kinsale Insurance and grow your career in a company that rewards excellence, initiative, and continuous learning — whether you're deepening your craft or ready to lead.
Apply today and start building your future with us!
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 282+ Lead Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Lead Software Engineer JobsLead Software Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Lead Software Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- General Dynamics Information Technology10

- Leidos9

- CACI International9

- Amentum8

- Booz Allen Hamilton8

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Science & Research
- Aerospace & Defense
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead software engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field
- Seven or more years of software development experience with at least two in a lead role
- Proficiency in one or more languages such as Java, Python, Go, or C++
- Experience leading agile development teams and conducting code reviews
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
- Active or obtainable security clearance preferred for Virginia federal contractor roles
Lead Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a lead software engineer in Virginia?
Virginia does not require a state-issued license to work as a lead software engineer. The typical path is a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, followed by several years of progressive development experience before moving into a lead role. Many Virginia employers in the federal contracting and defense sectors also expect or strongly prefer candidates who can obtain a security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship and a background investigation.
How much do lead software engineers make in Virginia?
Lead 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 lead software engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring lead software engineers in Virginia right now include General Dynamics Information Technology, Leidos, and CACI International, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Northern Virginia's dense concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors means many of the largest and most consistent hiring organizations in the state are systems integrators and technology services firms.
Which Virginia cities have the most lead software engineer jobs?
Chantilly, Herndon, and Arlington have the most lead software engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia cities like Reston, McLean, and Arlington dominate because of their proximity to federal agencies and the high concentration of defense and cloud technology contractors, while Richmond and Hampton Roads draw hiring through financial services firms and military installation support organizations.
Are there remote lead software engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 57% of lead software engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based and collaborative nature of senior software roles. The parts of the role most likely to stay fully remote are those without classified system access requirements, while positions supporting federal or defense contracts often require on-site presence due to security protocols.
How can I get hired as a lead software engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a software developer or software engineer associate role and building toward a lead position over several years. Large Virginia employers such as Leidos, SAIC, and Capital One run new-graduate hiring programs and rotational engineering tracks that feed into senior pipelines. Building a strong portfolio of projects, contributing to open-source work, and earning cloud certifications from AWS or Google give candidates a measurable edge in Virginia's competitive market.
Where can I find and apply to lead software engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to lead software engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to each one.
See All 282+ Lead Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia
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