Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Maryland
Software Engineering Manager jobs in Maryland are concentrated in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, with strong demand in Bethesda, Annapolis, and the broader DC metro edge, where defense, cybersecurity, and federal IT contracting drive persistent hiring at mid and senior levels. Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and SAIC are among the most established names with lasting engineering leadership needs in the state. The most in-demand specialties are cloud infrastructure management, secure software development, and agile delivery for government-facing programs. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Are you interested in developing algorithms and software or advancing radar and radio-frequency systems for critical national security challenges?
Do you enjoy understanding how complex systems work, testing ideas against evidence, and turning technical concepts into useful capabilities?
Would you like an internship where you can apply what you are learning in the classroom to real technical problems alongside engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and software developers?
If so, we’re looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!
We are a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and software developers who advance electromagnetic and computer-system capabilities for critical national security missions, with a primary focus on maritime applications. Our work spans radar, electronic warfare (EW), RF communications and propagation, remote sensing, signal and image processing, algorithm development, software development, modeling and simulation, and technical prototyping.
We bring domain experts, analysts, algorithm developers, and software engineers together to carry ideas from initial analysis and concept development through implementation, integration, test, and evaluation. As an intern, you will work alongside experienced technical staff while contributing directly to ongoing research, analysis, software, algorithm, and systems-development efforts.
We value people who ask thoughtful questions, take initiative, test assumptions against evidence, seek out expertise when needed, and are interested in learning how to solve challenging technical problems.
As a member of our team, you will...
- Work with multidisciplinary teams to understand challenging technical and operational problems and develop practical approaches to address them.
- Develop and evaluate algorithms, software, models, analyses, experiments, or prototypes.
- Use simulated, laboratory, and real-world data to understand system behavior and evaluate technical approaches.
- Learn from and collaborate with engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and software developers across multiple technical disciplines.
- Communicate your work through code, documentation, technical discussions, presentations, and reports.
Depending on your background, interests, and project needs, your work may emphasize one or more of the following areas:
- Algorithm Development: Apply mathematical, computational, signal-processing, data-analysis, or machine-learning techniques to develop and evaluate algorithms for real-world sensor and systems problems.
- Software Development: Develop software, analysis tools, and technical prototypes that process data, support modeling and simulation, or interact with hardware, networks, and other systems.
- RF Systems Engineering: Analyze, model, and evaluate radar, communications, EW, remote-sensing, propagation, and other RF systems using simulation, laboratory experiments, and real-world data.
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
- Are pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master's or Doctorate degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering, or a related technical field.
- Have maintained a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA.
- Have completed relevant coursework and have a technical foundation applicable to one or more of the areas described above.
- Have demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills and can work effectively as part of a team.
- Are willing and able to work in closed-area facilities.
- Are able to obtain an Interim Secret clearance by your start date and ultimately obtain a Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
- Have applied your technical knowledge through research, a previous internship, independent projects, laboratory work, or other substantial technical activities related to one or more of the areas described above.
- Have experience developing software, algorithms, models, analyses, experiments, or prototypes to solve open-ended technical problems.
- Have demonstrated initiative and follow-through in technical coursework, research, projects, employment, or extracurricular activities.
- Hold an active Secret or higher-level security clearance.
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$22.60 Hourly
Maximum Rate
$47.95 Hourly
See All 27 Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSoftware Engineering Manager Jobs by City in Maryland
Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Engineering Manager Job Market in Maryland
A snapshot from current Maryland openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Insurance
- Manufacturing
- Aerospace & Defense
- Investment & Asset Management
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Maryland Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software engineering manager jobs across Maryland.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field
- Proven experience leading and growing cross-functional software engineering teams
- Hands-on background in full-stack, cloud, or systems software development
- Experience managing delivery for government, defense, or federal IT programs preferred
- Familiarity with agile and DevSecOps practices in regulated or classified environments
- Active security clearance or eligibility to obtain one is frequently required in Maryland
Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software engineering manager in Maryland?
The most direct path is building several years of hands-on software engineering experience before moving into a lead or staff engineer role, then stepping into management. Maryland does not require a state-issued license for software engineering managers, but many employers in the state's defense and federal IT sectors expect a bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering, demonstrated team leadership, and in cleared environments, eligibility for a security clearance.
Which companies hire software engineering managers in Maryland?
Maryland software engineering manager roles are posted by GEICO, Northrop Grumman, and Peraton and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Maryland's concentration of defense contractors, federal agencies, and cybersecurity firms means the employer mix skews heavily toward companies with government program portfolios.
Which Maryland cities have the most software engineering manager jobs?
Bethesda, Annapolis, and Towson have the most software engineering manager openings in Maryland. The distribution follows the Baltimore-Washington corridor, where major defense contractors, federal agencies, and technology firms are headquartered or maintain large delivery centers, while smaller suburban markets like Rockville and Columbia contribute significant volume through federal IT work.
Are there remote software engineering manager jobs in Maryland?
Yes, and more than most fields, though hybrid arrangements are more common than fully remote given team coordination responsibilities. About 90% of software engineering manager openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting broad flexibility across the industry. Strategic and planning work tends to be most amenable to remote schedules, while roles tied to classified government programs typically require on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a software engineering manager in Maryland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is lateral movement from a senior or staff software engineer role, demonstrating informal leadership through mentorship, project ownership, or tech lead responsibilities. Maryland employers in the federal IT and defense space, including large contractors in the Bethesda and Columbia corridors, frequently hire engineering leads and promote from within. Building a record of cross-team coordination and earning a Project Management Professional credential or an agile certification strengthens a candidacy considerably before making the formal shift into management.
Where can I find and apply to software engineering manager jobs in Maryland?
You can find and apply to software engineering manager jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current Maryland openings. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, industry focus, and location preference, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 27 Software Engineering Manager Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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