Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Senior Software Development Engineer jobs in Virginia are among the most active in the country, concentrated in defense and intelligence contracting, federal civilian IT, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise software across Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads corridor. Major employers with a lasting Virginia presence include Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Amazon Web Services, all of which maintain large engineering workforces in the state. The most in-demand specialties are cloud-native development, distributed systems, and software engineering for classified or government-facing platforms. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 284+ Senior Software Development Engineer jobs
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation’s most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 9,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values—agility, expertise, and trust—we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.
We are seeking a Software Developer 6 to join our Security and Electronic Systems (SES) business Unit. As part of (SES) Strategic Business Unit you will be part of a team that designs, engineers, integrates, operates and maintains electronic security services inclusive of intrusion detection, access control, biometric authentication, video surveillance, audio visual, it systems, perimeter defense and command and control systems for federal, local and commercial customers across high-growth markets.
- Perform full life-cycle software development, from conception to deployment.
- Analyze user requirements to derive software design and performance requirements.
- Develop software solutions by analyzing system performance standards, conferring with users or system engineers; analyzing systems flow, data usage and work processes; and investigating problem areas.
- Design and code new software or modify existing software to add new features.
- Review and test software components to ensure design requirements are met.
- Write or review software and system documentation.
- Modify existing software to correct errors, to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance.
- Integrate existing software into new or modified systems or operating environments.
- Recommend system designs including hardware and software use, process standards, and procedures.
- Design, code/modify, and implement complex algorithms pursuant to strict requirements.
- Coordinate software system installation and monitor equipment functionality to ensure operational specifications are met.
- Make recommendations for improving documentation and software development process standards.
- Oversees one or more software development teams and ensures the work is completed in accordance with the constraints of the software development process being used on any particular project.
Qualifications:
-
Education and Experience: Computer Science, Engineering, or a Related Discipline
- Bachelor's Degree and 12+ years of relevant progressive experience or
- Master's Degree and 9+ years of relevant progressive experience
- DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher baseline certification, e.g. CISSP, Security+, etc.
-
Relevant experience / knowledge of coding languages, development frameworks and third-party libraries
- Front-end languages and libraries (e.g. HTML/CSS, JavaScript, XML, jQuery)
- Back-end languages (e.g. C#, Java, Python) and JavaScript frameworks (e.g. Angular, React, Node.js)
- Familiarity with databases (e.g. MySQL, MongoDB), web servers (e.g. Apache) and UI/UX design
- Strong oral and writing skills
- Demonstrate background working with multidisciplinary teams
- Demonstrate time management and organization skills to meet deadlines and quality objectives
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
We offer an excellent benefits package including:
- A competitive salary
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- 401k Retirement Plan
- Military Reserve pay offset
- Paid maternity leave
What we offer:
- A collaborative team inspired by the way engineering and innovation enhance customer outcomes, improve lives, and change the world for the better. We are driven by our core values of agility, expertise, and trust.
- An opportunity to lead and build a business with the support of an industry-leading firm that has been in business for 75 years.
- Investment in your skills and expertise through a combination of professional and technical training programs, including leadership training and tuition reimbursement.
- Open and transparent communication with senior leadership as well as local office management.
- Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
- Sitting for extended periods of time.
- Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
- Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
- Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Identify and understand the speech of another person.
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation’s most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 9,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values—agility, expertise, and trust—we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.
We are seeking a Software Developer 6 to join our Security and Electronic Systems (SES) business Unit. As part of (SES) Strategic Business Unit you will be part of a team that designs, engineers, integrates, operates and maintains electronic security services inclusive of intrusion detection, access control, biometric authentication, video surveillance, audio visual, it systems, perimeter defense and command and control systems for federal, local and commercial customers across high-growth markets.
- Perform full life-cycle software development, from conception to deployment.
- Analyze user requirements to derive software design and performance requirements.
- Develop software solutions by analyzing system performance standards, conferring with users or system engineers; analyzing systems flow, data usage and work processes; and investigating problem areas.
- Design and code new software or modify existing software to add new features.
- Review and test software components to ensure design requirements are met.
- Write or review software and system documentation.
- Modify existing software to correct errors, to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance.
- Integrate existing software into new or modified systems or operating environments.
- Recommend system designs including hardware and software use, process standards, and procedures.
- Design, code/modify, and implement complex algorithms pursuant to strict requirements.
- Coordinate software system installation and monitor equipment functionality to ensure operational specifications are met.
- Make recommendations for improving documentation and software development process standards.
- Oversees one or more software development teams and ensures the work is completed in accordance with the constraints of the software development process being used on any particular project.
Qualifications:
-
Education and Experience: Computer Science, Engineering, or a Related Discipline
- Bachelor's Degree and 12+ years of relevant progressive experience or
- Master's Degree and 9+ years of relevant progressive experience
- DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher baseline certification, e.g. CISSP, Security+, etc.
-
Relevant experience / knowledge of coding languages, development frameworks and third-party libraries
- Front-end languages and libraries (e.g. HTML/CSS, JavaScript, XML, jQuery)
- Back-end languages (e.g. C#, Java, Python) and JavaScript frameworks (e.g. Angular, React, Node.js)
- Familiarity with databases (e.g. MySQL, MongoDB), web servers (e.g. Apache) and UI/UX design
- Strong oral and writing skills
- Demonstrate background working with multidisciplinary teams
- Demonstrate time management and organization skills to meet deadlines and quality objectives
- Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.
We offer an excellent benefits package including:
- A competitive salary
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- 401k Retirement Plan
- Military Reserve pay offset
- Paid maternity leave
What we offer:
- A collaborative team inspired by the way engineering and innovation enhance customer outcomes, improve lives, and change the world for the better. We are driven by our core values of agility, expertise, and trust.
- An opportunity to lead and build a business with the support of an industry-leading firm that has been in business for 75 years.
- Investment in your skills and expertise through a combination of professional and technical training programs, including leadership training and tuition reimbursement.
- Open and transparent communication with senior leadership as well as local office management.
- Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
- Sitting for extended periods of time.
- Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
- Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
- Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Identify and understand the speech of another person.
See All 284+ Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSenior Software Development Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Software Development Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Capital One14
- Information Technology Senior Management Forum12
- Booz Allen Hamilton10
- Speechify8
- General Dynamics Information Technology8
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Marketing & Advertising
- Banking & Financial Services
- Non-Profit & Social Services
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior software development engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field
- Seven or more years of professional software development experience in production environments
- Proficiency in one or more modern languages such as Java, Python, C++, or Go
- Active or eligible U.S. security clearance for defense and federal contracting roles in Virginia
- Experience designing and deploying cloud-based systems on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform
- Demonstrated ability to lead code reviews, mentor junior engineers, and drive technical decisions
Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior software development engineer in Virginia?
The concrete path in Virginia starts with a computer science or software engineering degree and several years of progressive development experience. Virginia has no state-issued license for software engineers, so advancement is credential- and portfolio-driven. Many Virginia employers, particularly in the defense corridor, require or strongly prefer candidates who hold or can obtain a federal security clearance. Certifications from AWS, Microsoft, or Google carry consistent weight across Northern Virginia's cloud-heavy employer base.
How much do senior software development engineers make in Virginia?
Senior software development 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 senior software development engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring senior software development engineers in Virginia right now include Capital One, Information Technology Senior Management Forum, and Booz Allen Hamilton, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's defense contracting ecosystem means many of the largest and most consistent hiring organizations are federal systems integrators and government IT services firms with permanent offices throughout Northern Virginia and the Richmond area.
Which Virginia cities have the most senior software development engineer jobs?
The cities with the most senior software development engineer openings in Virginia are McLean, Arlington, and Herndon. Northern Virginia dominates because it anchors the national defense and intelligence contracting corridor, home to the headquarters of firms like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and SAIC, while Richmond draws demand from financial services and state government IT, and Hampton Roads reflects the region's large military and naval technology footprint.
Are there remote senior software development engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 49% of senior software development engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how naturally desk-based and tool-independent senior development work tends to be. The roles most likely to be fully remote are in commercial software and cloud engineering, while positions tied to classified government systems or defense programs typically require on-site presence due to clearance and facility requirements.
How can I get hired as a senior software development engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through associate or junior software engineer roles at Virginia's large federal contractors and technology firms. Employers like Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and Peraton run structured new-graduate hiring programs in Northern Virginia, often paired with clearance sponsorship for candidates who qualify. Building a public portfolio on GitHub, earning a foundational cloud certification, and applying to internal rotation or early-career programs at these firms gives candidates without deep experience a concrete edge over peers submitting cold applications.
Where can I find and apply to senior software development engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to senior software development engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across defense contracting, cloud infrastructure, enterprise software, and government IT. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly from the listings on this page.
See All 284+ Senior Software Development Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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