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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Overview

Open roles123+
Top employerCapital One
Top cityMcLean, VA
Cities hiring13
Work type67% On-site
Top industryBanking

Showing 4 of 123+ Lead Software Engineer jobs

Capital One
Senior Lead Software Engineer
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Capital One
New 16h ago
Senior Lead Software Engineer
Capital One
McLean, Virginia
Software Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Full-stack Engineering
Cloud Engineering
Backend Engineering
$262k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Capital One
Lead Software Engineer, Full Stack
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Capital One
Added 1d ago
Lead Software Engineer, Full Stack
Capital One
McLean, Virginia
Customer Service
Customer Support
Hospitality & Guest Services
Master's degree
10,000+

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Information Technology Senior Management Forum
Senior Lead Software Engineer, Full Stack
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Information Technology Senior Management Forum
Added 1d ago
Senior Lead Software Engineer, Full Stack
Information Technology Senior Management Forum
McLean, Virginia
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$209k - $262k/yr
Master's degree
51-200

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Information Technology Senior Management Forum
Senior Lead Software Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Information Technology Senior Management Forum
Added 1d ago
Senior Lead Software Engineer
Information Technology Senior Management Forum
McLean, Virginia
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$230k - $286k/yr
Master's degree
51-200

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See All 123+ Lead Software Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Lead Software Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Herndon
4 jobs
Sterling
3 jobs
Arlington
3 jobs
Reston
1 job
Fairfax
1 job
Stafford
1 job
Chantilly
1 job

Lead Software Engineer Job Market in Virginia

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

Who's Hiring

  • Capital One
    Capital One81
  • Information Technology Senior Management Forum
    Information Technology Senior Management Forum16
  • MITRE
    MITRE3
  • Leidos
    Leidos3
  • Collins Aerospace
    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.

See All 123+ 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 Jobs