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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INTRODUCTION
Do you love building and pioneering in the technology space? Do you enjoy solving complex business problems in a fast-paced, collaborative, inclusive, and iterative delivery environment? At Capital One, you'll be part of a big group of makers, breakers, doers and disruptors, who solve real problems and meet real customer needs. We are seeking Full Stack Software Engineers who are passionate about marrying data with emerging technologies. As a Capital One Senior Lead Software Engineer, you’ll have the opportunity to be on the forefront of driving a major transformation within Capital One.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead a portfolio of diverse technology projects and a team of developers with deep experience in distributed microservices, and full stack systems to create solutions that help meet regulatory needs for the company
- Share your passion for staying on top of tech trends, experimenting with and learning new technologies, participating in internal & external technology communities, mentoring other members of the engineering community, and from time to time, be asked to code or evaluate code
- Collaborate with digital product managers, and deliver robust cloud-based solutions that drive powerful experiences to help millions of Americans achieve financial empowerment
- Utilize programming languages like JavaScript, Java, HTML/CSS, TypeScript, SQL, Python, and Go, Open Source RDBMS and NoSQL databases, Container Orchestration services including Docker and Kubernetes, and a variety of AWS tools and services
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree
- At least 6 years of experience in software engineering (Internship experience does not apply)
- At least 1 year experience with cloud computing (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s Degree
- 9+ years of experience in at least one of the following: JavaScript, Java, TypeScript, SQL, Python, or Go
- 4+ years of experience with AWS, GCP, Microsoft Azure, or another cloud service
- 4+ years of experience in open source frameworks
- 1+ years of people management experience
- 2+ years of experience in Agile practices
Capital One will consider sponsoring a new qualified applicant for employment authorization for this position.
COMPENSATION
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount Capital One is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
- McLean, VA: $229,900 - $262,400 for Sr. Lead Software Engineer
- Richmond, VA: $209,000 - $238,500 for Sr. Lead Software Engineer
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
This role is also eligible to earn performance based incentive compensation, which may include cash bonus(es) and/or long term incentives (LTI). Incentives could be discretionary or non discretionary depending on the plan.
Capital One offers a comprehensive, competitive, and inclusive set of health, financial and other benefits that support your total well-being. Learn more at the Capital One Careers website. Eligibility varies based on full or part-time status, exempt or non-exempt status, and management level.
This role is expected to accept applications for a minimum of 5 business days.
No agencies please. Capital One is an equal opportunity employer (EOE, including disability/vet) committed to non-discrimination in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Capital One promotes a drug-free workplace. Capital One will consider for employment qualified applicants with a criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable laws regarding criminal background inquiries, including, to the extent applicable, Article 23-A of the New York Correction Law; San Francisco, California Police Code Article 49, Sections 4901-4920; New York City’s Fair Chance Act; Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Records Screening Act; and other applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding criminal background inquiries.
If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Capital One Recruiting at 1-800-304-9102 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@capitalone.com. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
For technical support or questions about Capital One's recruiting process, please send an email to Careers@capitalone.com
Capital One does not provide, endorse nor guarantee and is not liable for third-party products, services, educational tools or other information available through this site.
Capital One Financial is made up of several different entities. Please note that any position posted in Canada is for Capital One Canada, any position posted in the United Kingdom is for Capital One Europe and any position posted in the Philippines is for Capital One Philippines Service Corp. (COPSSC).
See All 123+ Lead Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia
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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
- Capital One81

- Information Technology Senior Management Forum16
- MITRE3

- Leidos3

- Collins Aerospace2

Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services13
- Energy1
- Aerospace & Defense1
- Media & Entertainment1
- Technology & Software1
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 Capital One, Information Technology Senior Management Forum, and MITRE, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?
McLean, Richmond, and Herndon 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 33% of lead software engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 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.
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