Software Design Engineer Jobs in Maryland

Software Design Engineer jobs in Maryland are concentrated in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, Annapolis, and the I-270 technology corridor, where defense contractors, federal agencies, and commercial tech firms drive steady demand for embedded systems, firmware, and systems-level software specialists. Established employers like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and Booz Allen Hamilton maintain deep engineering footprints across the state, hiring at levels from associate to principal engineer. The most active specialties are embedded software, real-time systems, and hardware-software integration, reflecting Maryland's heavy defense and aerospace industry base. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles222+
Top employerNorthrop Grumman
Top cityBaltimore, MD
Cities hiring55
Work type56% Hybrid
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 222+ Software Design Engineer jobs

Engineering Design
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New 13h ago
Engineering Design
Northrop Grumman
Annapolis, Maryland
Project & Program Management
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
$80k - $119k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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Section Engineer - BGE Substation Design
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New 16h ago
Section Engineer - BGE Substation Design
Baltimore Gas & Electric
Baltimore, Maryland
Cloud & DevOps
Cloud Engineering
Network Engineering
Systems Administration
$112k - $168k/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering
1,001-5,000

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Team Leader - Land Development Design
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New 19h ago
Team Leader - Land Development Design
SOLTESZ
Waldorf, Maryland
Software Engineering
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Product & Program Management
Technical Program Management
$120k - $150k/yr
Bachelor's degree

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Senior Engineer I - Land Development Design
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New 19h ago
Senior Engineer I - Land Development Design
SOLTESZ
Rockville, Maryland
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$110k - $130k/yr
Bachelor's degree

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Graphic Design Specialist
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New 20h ago
Graphic Design Specialist
Booz Allen Hamilton
Fort Meade, Maryland
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$69k - $158k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

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See All 222+ Software Design Engineer Jobs in Maryland

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

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Software Design Engineer Jobs by City in Maryland

Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Annapolis
18 jobs
Laurel
17 jobs
Towson
11 jobs
Rockville
9 jobs
Columbia
8 jobs
Bethesda
7 jobs
Frederick
7 jobs
Hunt Valley
6 jobs

Software Design Engineer Job Market in Maryland

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

Who's Hiring

  • Northrop Grumman18
  • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory16
  • Stanley Black & Decker8
  • Williams-Sonoma6
  • Johns Hopkins University5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Education
  • Manufacturing
  • Science & Research
  • Telecommunications

What Maryland Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in software design engineer jobs across Maryland.

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering required
  • Proficiency in C, C++, or Ada for embedded and real-time systems development
  • Experience with hardware-software integration and firmware development on embedded platforms
  • Familiarity with DOORS, JIRA, or equivalent requirements and defect tracking tools
  • Active or clearance-eligible security clearance preferred for defense and federal contractor roles
  • Knowledge of systems engineering practices including design documentation and verification testing

Software Design Engineer Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a software design engineer in Maryland?

A bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering is the standard entry point for software design engineer roles in Maryland. The state does not require a specific license for software design engineers, though engineers who certify safety-critical systems may pursue Professional Engineer registration through the Maryland Board for Professional Engineers. Most employers in the Baltimore-Washington corridor prioritize degree credentials, relevant programming experience, and for defense roles, the ability to obtain a security clearance.

How much do software design engineers make in Maryland?

Software design 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 design engineers in Maryland?

Companies currently hiring software design engineers in Maryland include Northrop Grumman, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and Stanley Black & Decker, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Maryland's concentration of defense contractors and federal IT services firms means the hiring pool includes a mix of large prime contractors and specialized engineering firms with long-term government programs based in the state.

Which Maryland cities have the most software design engineer jobs?

The cities with the most software design engineer openings in Maryland are Baltimore, Annapolis, and Laurel. Baltimore anchors the commercial and academic side of hiring through its hospital systems and technology firms, while the I-270 corridor between Rockville and Frederick concentrates defense and federal contract work, and areas near Annapolis and Linthicum benefit from proximity to NSA and other federal installations that anchor major engineering programs.

Are there remote software design engineer jobs in Maryland?

Yes, and more than most engineering disciplines. About 61% of software design engineer openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based and design-heavy nature of much of the work. The roles most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements are those focused on application-layer software and systems architecture, while positions involving hardware bring-up, lab testing, or classified work typically require on-site presence.

How can I get hired as a software design engineer in Maryland with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate or associate engineer programs at large Maryland defense contractors such as Northrop Grumman or Leidos, which run structured rotational and development programs specifically designed for candidates fresh out of university. Adjacent roles in software quality assurance, systems integration and test, or hardware verification are common lateral entry points that build the embedded and systems knowledge employers want. A senior capstone project, GitHub portfolio showing firmware or low-level software work, or enrollment in a Professional Engineer development path through the Maryland Board for Professional Engineers can strengthen an application significantly.

Where can I find and apply to software design engineer jobs in Maryland?

You can find and apply to software design engineer jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to Maryland employers. Search the listings to find roles that match your background in embedded systems, systems engineering, or applications development, and apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and location preferences.

See All 222+ Software Design Engineer Jobs in Maryland

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

Find Software Design Engineer Jobs