Security Software Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Security Software Engineer jobs in District of Columbia concentrate heavily in federal government contracting, defense intelligence, and cybersecurity policy, making it one of the most active markets in the country for this specialty. Most hiring is centered in Washington DC proper, with additional clusters in Arlington and Bethesda, where contractors and agencies like Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and Northrop Grumman maintain a deep, consistent presence. The most in-demand specialties are cloud security architecture, secure software development lifecycle, and vulnerability research tied to federal compliance frameworks. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 6+ Security Software Engineer jobs
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.
ABOUT THE JOB
We're seeking a Security Software Engineer to develop novel security tooling for securing embedded Linux systems and Android devices. The ideal candidate can develop, test, and debug an endpoint detection and response agent with mission critical security responsibilities.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Design and develop cybersecurity tools for realtime embedded, embedded Linux, and Android systems.
- Implement an endpoint detection and response agent for use on Anduril products.
- Develop thorough testing and qualification procedures for security critical components.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify specific security needs and implement solutions.
- Conduct code reviews and ensure adherence to security best practices.
- Stay updated on the latest security threats and technologies.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years of software development experience in some combination of Golang, Rust, or C/C++.
- Experience with Linux observability and eBPF.
- Strong understanding of Linux security internals.
- Experience debugging and optimizing performance of Linux software.
- Experience with CI/CD and test automation, including for mobile and embedded devices.
- Solid understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices.
- Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. Secret security clearance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of security frameworks and compliance standards.
- Experience in mobile development, specifically on Android platforms.
- Experience implementing EDR tooling.
- Experience with SOC operations, forensics, and incident response practices.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
Benefits
At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.
Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams
Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information.
To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind:
No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates.
- Please always verify communications:
- Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address.
- Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com.
Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links.
What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com. Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts.
Data Privacy
To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.
By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.
Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.
ABOUT THE JOB
We're seeking a Security Software Engineer to develop novel security tooling for securing embedded Linux systems and Android devices. The ideal candidate can develop, test, and debug an endpoint detection and response agent with mission critical security responsibilities.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Design and develop cybersecurity tools for realtime embedded, embedded Linux, and Android systems.
- Implement an endpoint detection and response agent for use on Anduril products.
- Develop thorough testing and qualification procedures for security critical components.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify specific security needs and implement solutions.
- Conduct code reviews and ensure adherence to security best practices.
- Stay updated on the latest security threats and technologies.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 2+ years of software development experience in some combination of Golang, Rust, or C/C++.
- Experience with Linux observability and eBPF.
- Strong understanding of Linux security internals.
- Experience debugging and optimizing performance of Linux software.
- Experience with CI/CD and test automation, including for mobile and embedded devices.
- Solid understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices.
- Ability to obtain and hold a U.S. Secret security clearance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of security frameworks and compliance standards.
- Experience in mobile development, specifically on Android platforms.
- Experience implementing EDR tooling.
- Experience with SOC operations, forensics, and incident response practices.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:
Benefits
At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits.
Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams
Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. These scammers often attempt to extract payment or sensitive personal information.
To ensure your safety and help you navigate your job search with confidence, please keep the following critical points in mind:
No Financial Requests: Anduril will never solicit payment or demand personal financial details (such as banking information, credit card numbers, or social security numbers) at any stage of our hiring process. Our legitimate recruitment is entirely free for candidates.
- Please always verify communications:
- Direct from Anduril: If you receive an email from one of our recruiters, it will only come from an @anduril.com address.
- Via Agency Partner: If contacted by a recruiting agency for an Anduril role, their email will clearly identify their agency. If you suspect any suspicious activity, please verify the agency's authenticity by reaching out to contact@anduril.com.
Exercise Caution with Unsolicited Outreach: If you receive any communication that appears suspicious, contains grammatical errors, or makes unusual requests, do not engage. Always confirm the sender's email domain is @anduril.com before providing any personal information or clicking on links.
What to Do If You Suspect Fraud: Should you encounter any questionable or fraudulent outreach claiming to be from Anduril, please report it immediately to contact@anduril.com. Your proactive caution is invaluable in protecting your personal information and upholding the security and trustworthiness of our recruitment efforts.
Data Privacy
To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/.
By submitting your application, you consent to Anduril Industries using a third-party service provider to conduct pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening and assessing potential risks as part of your application process. This third-party service provider provides risk-intelligence services that may include analysis of sanctions and watchlists, adverse media, public-record information, and other lawful open-source or commercial data sources. This third-party service provider does not act as a consumer reporting agency. Use of this provider helps to ensure compliance with applicable laws and protect technology, intellectual property, and organizational security.
See All 6 Security Software Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
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Find JobsSecurity Software Engineer Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Security Software Engineer Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in security software engineer jobs across District of Columbia.
- Active DoD security clearance, typically Secret or Top Secret/SCI, required
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, or a closely related engineering field
- Proficiency in secure coding practices across languages such as Python, Java, or C++
- Experience with federal security frameworks including NIST RMF, FedRAMP, or FISMA compliance
- Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CEH, or CSSLP strongly preferred by District of Columbia employers
- Familiarity with cloud security platforms including AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, or equivalent environments
Security Software Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a security software engineer in District of Columbia?
The concrete path in District of Columbia begins with a computer science or cybersecurity degree followed by obtaining a DoD security clearance, which is a practical requirement for the vast majority of local roles given the federal contracting market. There is no state-issued engineering license specific to this discipline in DC, but employers consistently look for industry certifications such as CISSP or CSSLP alongside demonstrated experience with federal security standards like NIST and FedRAMP before extending offers.
How much do security software engineers make in District of Columbia?
Security software engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of about $136,880 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $85,140 for the lowest 10% to over $197,000 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire security software engineers in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia security software engineer roles are posted by SpaceX, Anduril, and ServiceNow and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. The District's market leans heavily toward large defense and intelligence contractors that hold long-term federal agency contracts, which means established firms with government program offices tend to post the most consistently.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most security software engineer jobs?
Washington are the District of Columbia metro areas with the most security software engineer openings. Washington DC drives the bulk of demand as the seat of federal agencies and their primary contractors, while Arlington and Bethesda attract significant hiring because major defense and intelligence firms have placed corporate and program offices there to remain close to Pentagon and NIH clients.
Are there remote security software engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, though they're more limited than in purely commercial markets. About 100% of security software engineer openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the fact that many roles here involve classified systems or require on-site access to government facilities. Work related to unclassified application development or cloud security architecture is the most likely to support flexible or fully remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a security software engineer in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is pursuing a junior or associate software engineer role at a large DC-area federal contractor such as Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC, or Leidos, each of which runs new-graduate hiring programs that place candidates into security-adjacent development teams while they work toward a clearance. A CompTIA Security+ certification combined with a capstone project demonstrating secure coding or penetration testing gives early-career candidates a measurable edge in this specific market over a generic resume.
Where can I find and apply to security software engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to security software engineer jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the District's federal contracting, defense, and technology sectors. Search the listings for roles that match your clearance level and technical background, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 6 Security Software Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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