Software Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Software Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, concentrated in defense and intelligence contracting, federal IT services, and commercial technology sectors, with openings from entry-level associate engineers through principal and staff-level roles. The Northern Virginia corridor, including Reston, Herndon, and Tysons, drives the bulk of hiring, followed by Richmond and the Hampton Roads area, where employers like Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and Booz Allen Hamilton maintain major engineering footprints. Embedded systems design, systems-on-chip architecture, and firmware engineering are among the most consistently sought specialties across Virginia listings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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See related jobsThe Opportunity:
- Design, architect, and implement complex embedded RF systems as part of a multi-disciplinary team working on specialized tools, sensors, and communications devices for demanding applications
- Contribute to software architecture decisions for inter-processor and microservice systems where your technical choices directly impact system performance, real-time behavior, and the ability to process high-rate RF data in resource-constrained environments
- Work with engineers across the full embedded system stack—from signal processing algorithms to FPGA fabric, from application layer to hardware interfaces Own technical design from initial architecture through production deployment, making practical trade-offs between competing constraints like schedule, performance, portability, and maintainability
Responsibilities:
- Design distributed software architectures spanning multiple processing domains (x86, ARM, FPGA fabric), defining communication patterns and data flows for real-time RF signal processing systems
- Develop high-performance C++ frameworks for inter-processor communication in systems where latency and throughput are critical constraints
- Create technical documentation including message sequence charts, UML class diagrams, and software architecture specifications that enable distributed teams to build complex systems correctly and efficiently
- Design microservice architectures for x86 and ARM platforms, balancing modularity, performance, and resource constraints
- Profile and optimize software for memory-bound and compute-bound workloads using tools like vTune, identifying bottlenecks and implementing measurable performance improvements
- Work with signal processing engineers to design data pipelines that move RF samples from ADCs through filters, demodulators, and decoders
- Develop debugging approaches for resource-constrained embedded systems where standard tools provide limited visibility
- Build C++/Python test harnesses and unit tests that generate representative workloads, validate system behavior, and verify edge cases
- Integrate modern development tools and practices including CI/CD pipelines, containerization, and build automation Collaborate with FPGA engineers to define hardware/software interfaces that leverage programmable logic capabilities while maintaining software flexibility
Qualifications:
Required:
- 5-7+ years of professional software engineering experience in embedded systems and/or high-performance computing in Linux based environments
- BS or MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field
- Strong proficiency in C++ development for embedded real-time systems, including concurrency, memory management, and optimization techniques
- Demonstrated experience designing and implementing software architectures and communicating technical concepts through documentation and diagrams
- Experience with multi-threaded application development and debugging concurrency issues, including race conditions in inter-processor and microservice architectures
- Working knowledge of software design patterns and development methodologies for complex systems
- Experience with modern build systems and DevOps tools (Conan, Docker, GitLab or similar)
- Experience with performance analysis and debugging tools (vTune, perf, gdb, valgrind, or similar) to identify and optimize bottlenecks Ability to make informed trade-offs between portability, performance, and architecture-specific optimizations
Desired:
- Experience with communications systems and digital signal processing, including filters, modulation/demodulation schemes, channel equalization, and forward error correction (FEC)
- Experience with wireless communications protocols (3GPP, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15)
- Understanding of the signal processing pipeline from RF data collection through digital processing
What You Can Expect:
A culture of integrity.
At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.
An environment of trust.
CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.
A focus on continuous growth.
Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.
Pay Range :
There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.
The proposed salary range for this position is:
$94,400 - $198,200The Opportunity:
- Design, architect, and implement complex embedded RF systems as part of a multi-disciplinary team working on specialized tools, sensors, and communications devices for demanding applications
- Contribute to software architecture decisions for inter-processor and microservice systems where your technical choices directly impact system performance, real-time behavior, and the ability to process high-rate RF data in resource-constrained environments
- Work with engineers across the full embedded system stack—from signal processing algorithms to FPGA fabric, from application layer to hardware interfaces Own technical design from initial architecture through production deployment, making practical trade-offs between competing constraints like schedule, performance, portability, and maintainability
Responsibilities:
- Design distributed software architectures spanning multiple processing domains (x86, ARM, FPGA fabric), defining communication patterns and data flows for real-time RF signal processing systems
- Develop high-performance C++ frameworks for inter-processor communication in systems where latency and throughput are critical constraints
- Create technical documentation including message sequence charts, UML class diagrams, and software architecture specifications that enable distributed teams to build complex systems correctly and efficiently
- Design microservice architectures for x86 and ARM platforms, balancing modularity, performance, and resource constraints
- Profile and optimize software for memory-bound and compute-bound workloads using tools like vTune, identifying bottlenecks and implementing measurable performance improvements
- Work with signal processing engineers to design data pipelines that move RF samples from ADCs through filters, demodulators, and decoders
- Develop debugging approaches for resource-constrained embedded systems where standard tools provide limited visibility
- Build C++/Python test harnesses and unit tests that generate representative workloads, validate system behavior, and verify edge cases
- Integrate modern development tools and practices including CI/CD pipelines, containerization, and build automation Collaborate with FPGA engineers to define hardware/software interfaces that leverage programmable logic capabilities while maintaining software flexibility
Qualifications:
Required:
- 5-7+ years of professional software engineering experience in embedded systems and/or high-performance computing in Linux based environments
- BS or MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field
- Strong proficiency in C++ development for embedded real-time systems, including concurrency, memory management, and optimization techniques
- Demonstrated experience designing and implementing software architectures and communicating technical concepts through documentation and diagrams
- Experience with multi-threaded application development and debugging concurrency issues, including race conditions in inter-processor and microservice architectures
- Working knowledge of software design patterns and development methodologies for complex systems
- Experience with modern build systems and DevOps tools (Conan, Docker, GitLab or similar)
- Experience with performance analysis and debugging tools (vTune, perf, gdb, valgrind, or similar) to identify and optimize bottlenecks Ability to make informed trade-offs between portability, performance, and architecture-specific optimizations
Desired:
- Experience with communications systems and digital signal processing, including filters, modulation/demodulation schemes, channel equalization, and forward error correction (FEC)
- Experience with wireless communications protocols (3GPP, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15)
- Understanding of the signal processing pipeline from RF data collection through digital processing
What You Can Expect:
A culture of integrity.
At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.
An environment of trust.
CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.
A focus on continuous growth.
Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.
Pay Range :
There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.
The proposed salary range for this position is:
$94,400 - $198,200See All 5 Software Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Software Design Engineer JobsSoftware Design Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Design Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software design engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or closely related field required
- Proficiency in hardware description languages such as VHDL or Verilog for FPGA and ASIC design
- Experience with embedded systems design and real-time operating environments on defense or commercial programs
- Active or obtainable U.S. government security clearance, commonly required for Virginia defense contractors
- Familiarity with design verification, simulation tools, and industry standards such as DO-254 or MIL-STD
- Strong background in schematic capture, PCB design review, and cross-functional collaboration with firmware teams
Software Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software design engineer in Virginia?
Most Virginia employers require a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a closely related discipline as the foundation for this role. Virginia does not issue a state-specific license for software design engineers, though engineers working on publicly regulated infrastructure may pursue Professional Engineer licensure through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Building a portfolio of hardware or embedded design projects and obtaining a security clearance significantly strengthens candidacy for Virginia's defense-heavy market.
How much do software design engineers make in Virginia?
Software design 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 software design engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring software design engineers in Virginia right now include Northrop Grumman and CACI International, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's concentration of defense primes and federal IT contractors means many openings are tied to government programs, making cleared candidates particularly competitive across the state.
Which Virginia cities have the most software design engineer jobs?
Waynesboro and Herndon account for the largest share of software design engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia's density of defense contractors and cloud infrastructure firms anchors the majority of postings, while Richmond draws from financial technology and state government IT programs, and Hampton Roads hiring is driven by naval and aerospace systems work centered around the region's long-standing military installations.
Are there remote software design engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than many engineering disciplines, since software design work on non-classified programs can often be done off-site. About 100% of software design engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, though roles requiring lab access, hardware bring-up, or a security clearance are almost always on-site. The most remote-friendly sub-areas tend to be RTL design, verification, and FPGA firmware work on commercial or non-classified programs.
How can I get hired as a software design engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to associate or junior engineer roles at Virginia's large defense contractors, where Leidos, Northrop Grumman, and Booz Allen Hamilton run new-graduate hiring programs that pair candidates with cleared engineering teams. Internship pipelines at Virginia Tech and George Mason University feed directly into these programs. Candidates without prior employment can strengthen applications with an FPGA or PCB design portfolio, relevant coursework in embedded systems, and early pursuit of a security clearance, which many Virginia employers will sponsor for strong entry-level candidates.
Where can I find and apply to software design engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to software design engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across defense contractors, federal IT firms, and commercial technology employers. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly from the listings on this page.
See All 5 Software Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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