Software Applications Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Software Applications Engineer jobs in Maryland are among the most active in the Mid-Atlantic, with steady demand concentrated in defense contracting, federal IT services, and cybersecurity. The heaviest hiring is in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson corridor, the Washington suburbs of Montgomery and Prince George's counties, and Annapolis. Established employers like Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and Johns Hopkins APL have long anchored the state's market, with the most consistent openings in embedded systems, cloud-native application development, and systems integration. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Summary
This vacancy is for a IT Specialist (Applications Software) position in the Office of the Chief Information Officer located at the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other IT Specialist (Applications Software), ZP-2210-3 positions within the Bureau of Economic Analysis in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Clarification from the agency
All qualified United States citizens.
Duties
- Engage in database-related development, modernization, and enhancement (DME) and operational and maintenance activities associated with BEA’s statistical, collection and dissemination, and business support statistical systems.
- Execute all phases of the BEA Software Development Life Cycle, including business analysis/requirements gathering, design/documentation, development, testing, implementation, and operation and maintenance.
- Identify and assist in the implementation of common database structures and techniques across BEA’s database-driven applications and systems, where appropriate.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
- U.S. Citizen
- Suitable for Federal employment.
- Registered for Selective Service if applicable. (www.sss.gov)
- A one-year probationary period may be required.
- Relocation expenses may not be paid.
- This is a NON-BARGAINING unit position.
Qualifications
EXPERIENCE
Experience must be IT-related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate.
For all positions individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.
- Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
- Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
- Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
- Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
AND
Specialized Experience: For the Band 3 (GS-11) you must have one year of experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the Band 2 (GS-9) in the Federal service. Experience for this position includes: working with Microsoft SQL Server Database Management System; building and maintaining database objects such as tables, views, schemas, synonyms, stored procedures, user defined functions using the Transact Structured Query Language (T-SQL) programming language; executing database normalization activities; experience with SQL graph data structures; working with data pipelines to support batch data processing and Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) activities; working with agile software development and Development, Security, and Operations (DevSecOps) methodologies; using software tools such as SQL Server Management Studio, ERWIN Data Modeler, and Visual Studio Code; experience with software version control systems Git; experience with data formats such as JSON, XML, and CSV.
OR
Education: 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer.
After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement, 11/06/2026, to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.
Additional information
Applicants who apply under this Job Opportunity Announcement may opt-in (at their request) to allow the sharing of their resume, cover letter, transcripts, certifications, and other associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Department of Commerce (DOC) Bureaus/Offices who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade and pay band (or its equivalent), and full performance level in the same duty location or commuting area of the duty location listed on the Job Opportunity Announcement. Applicants that apply for General Schedule (GS) positions can be considered for pay band positions under one of the DOC's alternative personnel systems (i.e., Commerce Alternative Personnel System (CAPS), or Alternative Personnel Management System (APMS)) that have the equivalent GS grade level and full performance level, and similarly, CAPS and APMS applicants may be considered for GS positions or one of DOC's alternative personnel systems. Upon acceptance of a position, the employee will be subject to the corresponding pay system (i.e., GS, CAPS or APMS). Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which they wish to receive consideration.
Individuals who have received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment, otherwise known as a buyout, must repay that incentive if they are reemployed by the Federal Government within five years of separation.
Additionally, the following links provide information on various hiring authorities that do not fall under competitive examining procedures; however, they may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.
- VRA (GS-11 or below)
- VEOA (permanent positions)
- 30% or more disabled veteran
- Military Spouse
- Persons with disabilities
- CTAP
- ICTAP
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
The Department of Commerce also provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. TTY users can contact the Human Resources Office via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Category Rating Procedures: If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the job opportunity announcement and scoring requirements for all applicable assessments, you will be placed in one of three pre-defined categories. These categories are "gold," "silver," and "bronze." Your resume and/or optional cover letter must support your responses to the questionnaire, or your score may be lowered. Candidates placed in the "gold" category will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.
How you will be evaluated for preference eligibility: Within each category, those entitled to veterans' preference will be listed at the top of the pre-defined category for which they are placed. Preference eligibles with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the highest quality category (gold).
For more information on category rating, please go to: OPM: Competitive Hiring - Category Rating
Online Assessment: Applicants must complete the online USA Hire Competency Based Assessments measuring critical general competencies required to perform the job. Examples used in the assessment may include general situations not directly related to this position.
The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
CTAP and ICTAP candidates: CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible for selection priority if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website, The Employee's Guide to Career Transition.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
- Accountability
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service
- Decision Making
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Reasoning
- Self-Management
- Stress Tolerance
- Teamwork
We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process.
Do NOT include the following types of information in your application if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position:
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Date of Birth (DOB)
- Photos of yourself
- Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
Required Documents
A complete application consists of the following:
- Resume: Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages. If your resume exceeds the two-page limit, you will be deemed disqualified and removed from consideration. Your resume must include your educational and relevant work experience for the position for which you are applying to include the title and dates (mm/yy) of employment along with the number of hours worked per week. If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete, and you will not receive consideration for this position.
- Veterans' Preference Documentation: Please indicate on your resume the type of veterans' preference you are claiming and provide the appropriate supporting documentation (DD-214 stating disposition of discharge or character of service, VA letter, SF-15, etc.) to validate your claim. Previous versions of the SF-15 will not be accepted. For more information regarding eligibility requirements, please go to: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
- Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation, if applicable:
- CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
- A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice);
- A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade/band level, and duty location;
- A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
- Any documentation from your bureau/operating unit that shows your current promotion potential.
- ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
- A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination, certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a work-related compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement.
- A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", documenting your RIF separation, noting your position, grade/band level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
- A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
- Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
- CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
- Education Documentation: If this position requires proof of higher education, or you are substituting education for experience), you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. This also applies to Bureau of Economic Analysis employees. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to OPM's Qualification Policy for more information.
You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course-by-course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. For further information on the evaluation of foreign education, refer to the U.S. Department of Education's web site at Academic and Professional Mobility | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).
NOTE: You will not be considered if you fail to provide all required documents.
- Resume
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/06/2026 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
- Click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
- If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
- Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
- Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
- Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
- Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USA JOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit USAJOBS Help Center - How to see your application and job status.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online; however, if you are unable to apply online, please email the agency contact.
Agency contact information
4600 Silver Hill Road
Washington, DC 20233
US
Next steps
You will be notified of your application status through USAJOBS at four points during the hiring process, as applicable. You can check the status of your application by accessing the USAJOBS website at http://usajobs.gov and clicking on "Applications." The status will be visible next to the corresponding positions. The four points of notification are:
- Application Received or Application Incomplete;
- Minimum Qualification Requirement Met or Minimum Qualification Requirement Not Met;
- Referred or Not Referred; and
- Selected or Not Selected.
By submitting your application, you are certifying the accuracy of the information contained in your application. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be terminated after you begin work; or, you may be fined or jailed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).
Overview
- 2210 Information Technology Management
- Credentialing
- Suitability/Fitness
See All 10 Software Applications Engineer Jobs in Maryland
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Find JobsSoftware Applications Engineer Jobs by City in Maryland
Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Applications Engineer Job Market in Maryland
A snapshot from current Maryland openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Maryland Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software applications engineer jobs across Maryland.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field
- Proficiency in one or more languages such as Java, C++, Python, or C#
- Experience designing and developing software for enterprise or government systems
- Ability to obtain or maintain a U.S. security clearance for defense and federal roles
- Familiarity with Agile or DevSecOps development methodologies and CI/CD pipelines
- Experience integrating software with hardware systems or embedded environments preferred
Software Applications Engineer Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software applications engineer in Maryland?
The most direct path is a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or electrical engineering from one of Maryland's universities, such as the University of Maryland College Park or UMBC. Maryland does not require a state-issued license for software applications engineers. However, many roles with federal contractors in the state require a security clearance, so early exposure to defense or government project environments gives candidates a measurable edge in the hiring process.
How much do software applications engineers make in Maryland?
Software applications engineers in Maryland earn a median of about $138,680 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $87,690 for the lowest 10% to over $222,610 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire software applications engineers in Maryland?
Companies currently hiring software applications engineers in Maryland include Ctrl +, Bitwise, and Visionist, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Maryland's concentration of defense contractors and federal agency support firms means many openings are tied to long-term government programs rather than short hiring cycles.
Which Maryland cities have the most software applications engineer jobs?
Annapolis Junction, Laurel, and Suitland have the most software applications engineer openings in Maryland. The Baltimore and Columbia area dominates because of its density of defense contractors, Johns Hopkins institutions, and federal agency campuses, while suburban Washington markets like Bethesda and Rockville draw heavily from NIH, federal IT, and biotech firms operating in Montgomery County.
Are there remote software applications engineer jobs in Maryland?
Yes, and more than most fields. Software applications engineering is desk-based and highly portable, making it well suited to remote work. About 0% of software applications engineer openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though roles requiring a security clearance or access to classified systems are almost always on-site. Cloud development, application support, and backend engineering roles tend to carry the most remote flexibility.
How can I get hired as a software applications engineer in Maryland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a co-op or internship with one of Maryland's large defense or federal IT contractors, where employers like Leidos and Northrop Grumman run structured new-grad programs. UMBC and the University of Maryland also have direct pipeline relationships with Maryland employers. Entry-level titles like junior software developer, applications developer, or systems analyst are the common first steps. Building a portfolio of personal or open-source projects and earning a cloud certification strengthens a resume for Maryland's government-adjacent tech market.
Where can I find and apply to software applications engineer jobs in Maryland?
You can find and apply to software applications engineer jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current Maryland openings. Search the roles available, find the ones that fit your background and target area, and apply directly to each listing.
See All 10 Software Applications Engineer Jobs in Maryland
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