Software Design Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Software Design Engineer jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in one of the most active technology markets on the East Coast, driven by federal government contracting, defense, and cybersecurity sectors that sustain demand from entry-level to principal engineer. Most hiring clusters in Washington D.C. itself, with additional activity in nearby Northern Virginia corridors. Employers with a lasting D.C. presence including Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and General Dynamics Information Technology regularly seek software design engineers, with embedded systems, systems architecture, and secure software development among the most in-demand specializations. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Position Description & Qualifications
We are seeking an experienced Senior 3D Ship Design & Technical Integration Section Manager to provide technical leadership, program oversight, and team management in support of the U.S. Navy's FFX (Frigate) Program, PMS 325, TAO, TAGOS, NOAA, PMS 347, PMS 385, BBGX, NOMARS and many more programs.
The ability to obtain/ maintain/ transfer a US Department of War Secret clearance.
This position will lead and coordinate a multidisciplinary team responsible for the review, analysis, development, and integration of 3D ship design products across multiple Navy program offices and technical organizations. The individual will serve as a critical interface between government stakeholders, Serco technical teams, and shipbuilder design and engineering organizations, ensuring effective collaboration, technical alignment, and the successful resolution of design and production-related issues.
The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in naval ship design, 3D product development, shipbuilding processes, and technical program management, with the leadership skills necessary to organize and direct technical resources in a complex government acquisition environment.
In this role, you will;
Technical Leadership and 3D Model Review
- Lead the review, assessment, and analysis of 3D ship design products to identify technical discrepancies, design deficiencies, integration challenges, and constructability concerns.
- Provide technical oversight and guidance in resolving design and engineering issues encountered throughout the design, development, and construction phases.
- Support the development and refinement of future ship requirements, technical specifications, acquisition strategies, and related program documentation.
- Evaluate 3D model development and deliverables to ensure technical consistency, design maturity, and alignment with government requirements and shipbuilding objectives.
- Identify opportunities to improve design quality, model accuracy, production readiness, and overall design integration.
- Manage and lead the overall technical team, ensuring the appropriate skill sets, experience, and resources are available to support current and emerging program requirements.
- Establish priorities, assign technical resources, and coordinate team activities to ensure timely and effective support of government reviews and program deliverables.
- Identify resource gaps, anticipate future staffing needs, and develop strategies to maintain the right technical talent in support of evolving program demands.
- Mentor and develop team members while fostering accountability, collaboration, and a culture of technical excellence.
- Serve as a primary technical liaison between government program offices, Serco technical teams, and shipbuilder engineering and design organizations.
- Identify and assess issues associated with production and non-production design applications, tools, and processes.
- Lead the development and implementation of practical solutions to address application limitations, workflow challenges, and technical integration issues
Onsite location, Arlington, VA, potenital of REMOTE depending on experience
To be successful in this role, you will have;
- The ability to obtain a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance
- A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering OR
- High School diploma/ GED 15 years of expereince OR
- Associate of Applied Science or Engineeringing 12 years of experience
- A minimum of 10 years of relevant Professional experience in naval ship design, shipbuilding, marine engineering, 3D product development, engineering integration, or a closely related discipline
- A minimum of 3 years of management or team leadership experience, including oversight of technical personnel and multidisciplinary teams
- The ability to travel 10%
Additional desired experience and skills:
- Technical Certificate in CADD
- 10 years of US Navy experience
- 5 years of management experience of 10 or more direct reports
If you are interested in supporting and working with our military and a passionate Serco team. Submit your application now for immediate consideration. It only takes a few minutes and could change your career!has context menu
Company Overview
Serco Inc. (Serco) is the Americas division of Serco Group, plc. In North America, Serco’s 9,000+ employees strive to make an impact every day across 100+ sites in the areas of Defense, Citizen Services, and Transportation. We help our clients deliver vital services more efficiently while increasing the satisfaction of their end customers. Serco serves every branch of the U.S. military, numerous U.S. Federal civilian agencies, the Intelligence Community, the Canadian government, state, provincial and local governments, and commercial clients. While your place may look a little different depending on your role, we know you will find yours here. Wherever you work and whatever you do, we invite you to discover your place in our world. Serco is a place you can count on and where you can make an impact because every contribution matters.
To review Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/what-we-offer. If you require an accommodation with the application process please email: careers@serco-na.com or call the HR Service Desk at 800-628-6458, option 1. Please note, due to EEOC/OFCCP compliance, Serco is unable to accept resumes by email.
Candidates may be asked to present proof of identity during the selection process. If requested, this will require presentation of a government-issued I.D. (with photo) with name and address that match the information entered on the application. Serco will not take possession of or retain/store the information provided as proof of identity. For more information on how Serco uses your information, please see our Applicant Privacy Policy and Notice.
Serco does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies without being a contracted approved vendor. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Serco and will not be obligated to pay a placement or contract fee. If you are interested in becoming an approved vendor at Serco, please email Agencies@serco-na.com.
Serco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Pay Transparency
Our Total Rewards package includes competitive pay, performance-based incentives, and benefits that promote well-being and work-life balance—so you can thrive both professionally and personally. Eligible employees also gain access to a wide range of benefits from comprehensive health coverage and health savings accounts to retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and time-off programs that support work-life balance. Program availability may vary based on factors such as contract type, location, hire date, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
Salary range: The range for this position can be found at the top of this posting. This range is provided as a general guideline and represents a good faith estimate across all experience levels. Actual base salary will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the scope of the role, relevant experience, job-related knowledge, education and training, key skills, and geographic market considerations. For roles available in multiple states, the range may vary to reflect differences in local labor markets. In addition to base salary, eligible positions may include other forms of compensation such as annual bonuses or long-term incentive opportunities. Benefits – Comprehensible benefits for full-time employees (part-time employees receive a limited package tailored to their role):
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Robust vacation and sick leave benefits, and flexible work arrangements where permitted by role or contract
- 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Optional coverages that can be purchased, including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
- Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
- Employee Assistance Plan
To review all Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/about-us.
Serco complies with all applicable state and local leave laws, including providing time off under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for eligible Colorado residents, in alignment with our policies and benefit plans. The application window for this position is for no more than 60 days. We encourage candidates to apply promptly after the posting date, as the position may close earlier if filled or if the application volume exceeds expectations. Please submit applications exclusively through Serco’s external (or internal) career site. If an applicant has any concerns with job posting compliance, please send an email to: careers@serco-na.com.
Position Description & Qualifications
We are seeking an experienced Senior 3D Ship Design & Technical Integration Section Manager to provide technical leadership, program oversight, and team management in support of the U.S. Navy's FFX (Frigate) Program, PMS 325, TAO, TAGOS, NOAA, PMS 347, PMS 385, BBGX, NOMARS and many more programs.
The ability to obtain/ maintain/ transfer a US Department of War Secret clearance.
This position will lead and coordinate a multidisciplinary team responsible for the review, analysis, development, and integration of 3D ship design products across multiple Navy program offices and technical organizations. The individual will serve as a critical interface between government stakeholders, Serco technical teams, and shipbuilder design and engineering organizations, ensuring effective collaboration, technical alignment, and the successful resolution of design and production-related issues.
The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in naval ship design, 3D product development, shipbuilding processes, and technical program management, with the leadership skills necessary to organize and direct technical resources in a complex government acquisition environment.
In this role, you will;
Technical Leadership and 3D Model Review
- Lead the review, assessment, and analysis of 3D ship design products to identify technical discrepancies, design deficiencies, integration challenges, and constructability concerns.
- Provide technical oversight and guidance in resolving design and engineering issues encountered throughout the design, development, and construction phases.
- Support the development and refinement of future ship requirements, technical specifications, acquisition strategies, and related program documentation.
- Evaluate 3D model development and deliverables to ensure technical consistency, design maturity, and alignment with government requirements and shipbuilding objectives.
- Identify opportunities to improve design quality, model accuracy, production readiness, and overall design integration.
- Manage and lead the overall technical team, ensuring the appropriate skill sets, experience, and resources are available to support current and emerging program requirements.
- Establish priorities, assign technical resources, and coordinate team activities to ensure timely and effective support of government reviews and program deliverables.
- Identify resource gaps, anticipate future staffing needs, and develop strategies to maintain the right technical talent in support of evolving program demands.
- Mentor and develop team members while fostering accountability, collaboration, and a culture of technical excellence.
- Serve as a primary technical liaison between government program offices, Serco technical teams, and shipbuilder engineering and design organizations.
- Identify and assess issues associated with production and non-production design applications, tools, and processes.
- Lead the development and implementation of practical solutions to address application limitations, workflow challenges, and technical integration issues
Onsite location, Arlington, VA, potenital of REMOTE depending on experience
To be successful in this role, you will have;
- The ability to obtain a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance
- A Bachelor’s degree in Engineering OR
- High School diploma/ GED 15 years of expereince OR
- Associate of Applied Science or Engineeringing 12 years of experience
- A minimum of 10 years of relevant Professional experience in naval ship design, shipbuilding, marine engineering, 3D product development, engineering integration, or a closely related discipline
- A minimum of 3 years of management or team leadership experience, including oversight of technical personnel and multidisciplinary teams
- The ability to travel 10%
Additional desired experience and skills:
- Technical Certificate in CADD
- 10 years of US Navy experience
- 5 years of management experience of 10 or more direct reports
If you are interested in supporting and working with our military and a passionate Serco team. Submit your application now for immediate consideration. It only takes a few minutes and could change your career!has context menu
Company Overview
Serco Inc. (Serco) is the Americas division of Serco Group, plc. In North America, Serco’s 9,000+ employees strive to make an impact every day across 100+ sites in the areas of Defense, Citizen Services, and Transportation. We help our clients deliver vital services more efficiently while increasing the satisfaction of their end customers. Serco serves every branch of the U.S. military, numerous U.S. Federal civilian agencies, the Intelligence Community, the Canadian government, state, provincial and local governments, and commercial clients. While your place may look a little different depending on your role, we know you will find yours here. Wherever you work and whatever you do, we invite you to discover your place in our world. Serco is a place you can count on and where you can make an impact because every contribution matters.
To review Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/what-we-offer. If you require an accommodation with the application process please email: careers@serco-na.com or call the HR Service Desk at 800-628-6458, option 1. Please note, due to EEOC/OFCCP compliance, Serco is unable to accept resumes by email.
Candidates may be asked to present proof of identity during the selection process. If requested, this will require presentation of a government-issued I.D. (with photo) with name and address that match the information entered on the application. Serco will not take possession of or retain/store the information provided as proof of identity. For more information on how Serco uses your information, please see our Applicant Privacy Policy and Notice.
Serco does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies without being a contracted approved vendor. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Serco and will not be obligated to pay a placement or contract fee. If you are interested in becoming an approved vendor at Serco, please email Agencies@serco-na.com.
Serco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Pay Transparency
Our Total Rewards package includes competitive pay, performance-based incentives, and benefits that promote well-being and work-life balance—so you can thrive both professionally and personally. Eligible employees also gain access to a wide range of benefits from comprehensive health coverage and health savings accounts to retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and time-off programs that support work-life balance. Program availability may vary based on factors such as contract type, location, hire date, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
Salary range: The range for this position can be found at the top of this posting. This range is provided as a general guideline and represents a good faith estimate across all experience levels. Actual base salary will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the scope of the role, relevant experience, job-related knowledge, education and training, key skills, and geographic market considerations. For roles available in multiple states, the range may vary to reflect differences in local labor markets. In addition to base salary, eligible positions may include other forms of compensation such as annual bonuses or long-term incentive opportunities. Benefits – Comprehensible benefits for full-time employees (part-time employees receive a limited package tailored to their role):
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Robust vacation and sick leave benefits, and flexible work arrangements where permitted by role or contract
- 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds
- Tuition reimbursement program
- Life insurance and disability coverage
- Optional coverages that can be purchased, including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
- Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
- Employee Assistance Plan
To review all Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/about-us.
Serco complies with all applicable state and local leave laws, including providing time off under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for eligible Colorado residents, in alignment with our policies and benefit plans. The application window for this position is for no more than 60 days. We encourage candidates to apply promptly after the posting date, as the position may close earlier if filled or if the application volume exceeds expectations. Please submit applications exclusively through Serco’s external (or internal) career site. If an applicant has any concerns with job posting compliance, please send an email to: careers@serco-na.com.
See All 41 Software Design Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Software Design Engineer JobsSoftware Design Engineer Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Design Engineer Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software design engineer jobs across District of Columbia.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a directly related technical field
- Proficiency in one or more languages such as Java, C++, Python, or C#
- Experience designing and implementing software systems following established engineering methodologies
- Familiarity with secure coding practices and software development in classified or government environments
- Active or eligibility for a U.S. security clearance, often required by D.C.-area federal contractors
- Experience with Agile or Scrum development workflows and version control systems such as Git
Software Design Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software design engineer in District of Columbia?
Most software design engineer roles in D.C. require a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field, and no District of Columbia-specific state license applies to the role. What distinguishes the D.C. hiring path is the strong emphasis on security clearance eligibility, since a large share of employers are federal agencies or contractors. Candidates who start the clearance process early and build experience with government systems standards gain a concrete advantage in this market.
How much do software design engineers make in District of Columbia?
Software design 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 software design engineers in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia software design engineer roles are posted by Accenture Federal Services, KI, and EAB and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. The D.C. market is heavily shaped by large federal IT contractors and defense technology firms that maintain long-term engineering programs tied to government agency clients.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most software design engineer jobs?
Washington account for the most software design engineer openings in District of Columbia. Washington D.C. itself anchors the market through its concentration of federal agencies and contractor headquarters, while adjacent areas see strong demand from the defense and intelligence community employers that have built their engineering operations close to government clients.
Are there remote software design engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, and more than many fields. About 71% of software design engineer openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves code, design tools, and collaboration platforms that travel well. That said, roles tied to classified systems or on-site government environments tend to require in-person presence, so fully remote availability varies by employer and contract type.
How can I get hired as a software design engineer in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in D.C. is through early career programs at major federal contractors, where employers like Booz Allen Hamilton and Leidos run structured associate engineer and new graduate programs that accept candidates without prior professional experience. Internships tied to George Washington University or Georgetown can also connect candidates directly to contractor pipelines. A strong portfolio demonstrating systems design work and any progress toward clearance eligibility gives early-career candidates a measurable edge over applicants without those signals.
Where can I find and apply to software design engineer jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to software design engineer jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings in the area. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 41 Software Design Engineer Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Software Design Engineer Jobs