Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Software Systems Engineer jobs in Maryland concentrate heavily in defense contracting, federal IT services, and aerospace systems, with the state ranking among the most active markets in the country for this role at every level from mid-career to senior principal. Most openings are in the Baltimore, Annapolis, and Bethesda corridors, where large employers like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and Booz Allen Hamilton maintain major engineering footprints. The most in-demand specialties are embedded systems, systems integration, and model-based systems engineering. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 20+ Software Systems Engineer jobs
The Software Safety Engineer applies a working knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals for submersible systems, including HM&E (hull, mechanical, and electrical) and Software. This person will work with other OTECH
BS Degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related technical field. Commensurate experience will be considered.
5+ years of practical experience in systems, safety, software or quality engineering.
Proficiency understanding the following programming languages: C, C++, C#, Python and/or Java.
Capable of producing software safety plans and executing to them.
Attention to detail and interest in designing safety compliant underwater systems.
Ability to obtain and maintain a United States Government Department of Defense Security Clearance.
Must be a US citizen.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Understanding of MIL-STD 882E “Department of Defense Standard Practice System Safety” or equivalent standard.
Experience conducting safety hazard analyses such as Preliminary Hazard List (PHL), Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), or Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA).
Experience creating System/Software Safety Assessment Reports and Plans (SSAR).
Experience with VectorCAST or automated test tools (Jacoco, McCabe, MSTest, NUnit).
Experience with Jira and Github.
Solid written and oral communications skills, including ability to effectively document, convey, and present engineering concepts and products to team members and customers.
Experience with US Department of Defense programs or the field of ocean engineering.
Implement a software safety program in accordance with MIL-STD-882 for one or more programs.
Provide direction and oversight for Level of Rigor tasks consistent with the assessed criticality of system software.
Ownership of the following deliverables:
Software Safety Plans
System Requirements Hazard Analysis
Functional Hazard Analysis
Software Safety Assessment Report
Assist in development and reviews of other safety analyses defined in MIL-STD-882 as applicable to each program.
Track and report software statement/branch coverage metrics.
Catalog and maintain software safety related software development artefacts such as the results of code reviews, safety testing, and qualification testing.
Act as an independent safety reviewer of software under development.
Prepare and present material at recurring customer-facing System and Software Safety Working Group (WG) meetings.
Prepare and present safety engineering slides at major design reviews and other milestone and key event meetings.
Schedules can be demanding throughout the year and occasional work outside normal working hours should be anticipated.
- Occasional travel should be anticipated.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Works with program leadership to ensure that systems engineering tasks, specifically those affecting system safety products, are completed in a timely manner, including tasking engineering personnel to complete analyses, trade studies, tests, etc.
Coordinate implementation of software safety programs across OTECH to ensure consistency in the methodology and the quality of deliverables.
The Software Safety Engineer applies a working knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals for submersible systems, including HM&E (hull, mechanical, and electrical) and Software. This person will work with other OTECH
BS Degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related technical field. Commensurate experience will be considered.
5+ years of practical experience in systems, safety, software or quality engineering.
Proficiency understanding the following programming languages: C, C++, C#, Python and/or Java.
Capable of producing software safety plans and executing to them.
Attention to detail and interest in designing safety compliant underwater systems.
Ability to obtain and maintain a United States Government Department of Defense Security Clearance.
Must be a US citizen.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Understanding of MIL-STD 882E “Department of Defense Standard Practice System Safety” or equivalent standard.
Experience conducting safety hazard analyses such as Preliminary Hazard List (PHL), Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA), or Functional Hazard Analysis (FHA).
Experience creating System/Software Safety Assessment Reports and Plans (SSAR).
Experience with VectorCAST or automated test tools (Jacoco, McCabe, MSTest, NUnit).
Experience with Jira and Github.
Solid written and oral communications skills, including ability to effectively document, convey, and present engineering concepts and products to team members and customers.
Experience with US Department of Defense programs or the field of ocean engineering.
Implement a software safety program in accordance with MIL-STD-882 for one or more programs.
Provide direction and oversight for Level of Rigor tasks consistent with the assessed criticality of system software.
Ownership of the following deliverables:
Software Safety Plans
System Requirements Hazard Analysis
Functional Hazard Analysis
Software Safety Assessment Report
Assist in development and reviews of other safety analyses defined in MIL-STD-882 as applicable to each program.
Track and report software statement/branch coverage metrics.
Catalog and maintain software safety related software development artefacts such as the results of code reviews, safety testing, and qualification testing.
Act as an independent safety reviewer of software under development.
Prepare and present material at recurring customer-facing System and Software Safety Working Group (WG) meetings.
Prepare and present safety engineering slides at major design reviews and other milestone and key event meetings.
Schedules can be demanding throughout the year and occasional work outside normal working hours should be anticipated.
- Occasional travel should be anticipated.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Works with program leadership to ensure that systems engineering tasks, specifically those affecting system safety products, are completed in a timely manner, including tasking engineering personnel to complete analyses, trade studies, tests, etc.
Coordinate implementation of software safety programs across OTECH to ensure consistency in the methodology and the quality of deliverables.
See All 20 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSoftware Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Maryland
Where Maryland roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Systems Engineer Job Market in Maryland
A snapshot from current Maryland openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Insurance
What Maryland Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in software systems engineer jobs across Maryland.
- Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical field
- Experience with systems engineering lifecycle processes including requirements analysis and verification
- Active or eligible DoD security clearance, often Secret or Top Secret, required by most Maryland employers
- Proficiency with systems modeling tools such as DOORS, MATLAB, or SysML
- Demonstrated experience integrating hardware and software components in complex system architectures
- Familiarity with Agile or SAFe development methodologies as applied to systems engineering programs
Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a software systems engineer in Maryland?
Most software systems engineers in Maryland enter the field with a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related discipline. Maryland does not require a state-issued license specific to software systems engineering, but many roles in the state's defense and federal contracting sectors require a DoD security clearance, which employers typically sponsor after hire. Professional Engineer licensure through the Maryland Board for Professional Engineers is valued for senior or lead roles, particularly on government programs.
How much do software systems engineers make in Maryland?
Software systems 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 systems engineers in Maryland?
Companies currently hiring software systems engineers in Maryland include Staffed4U, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and Oceaneering, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Maryland's dense concentration of defense prime contractors and federal civilian agency support firms makes it one of the most consistent states in the country for sustained software systems engineering hiring.
Which Maryland cities have the most software systems engineer jobs?
Columbia, Laurel, and Fort Meade lead Maryland in software systems engineer openings. The Baltimore and Bethesda areas anchor most of the demand, driven by proximity to federal agencies like NSA, DISA, and NIH and the large defense and IT contractors that support them, while smaller suburban corridors like Annapolis Junction and Linthicum host significant campuses from prime contractors.
Are there remote software systems engineer jobs in Maryland?
Yes, and more than many engineering disciplines, though fully remote positions remain selective for this role. About 75% of software systems engineer openings tied to Maryland are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the mix of lab-based integration work and office-based systems analysis. Model-based systems engineering, requirements analysis, and documentation-heavy roles tend to be the most remote-eligible, while hardware integration and clearance-sensitive programs are nearly always on-site.
How can I get hired as a software systems engineer in Maryland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to new-graduate or associate systems engineer programs at Maryland's major defense contractors, including Northrop Grumman and Leidos, both of which run structured early-career rotational programs in the state. Strong candidates typically hold a bachelor's in a technical field and are able to obtain a security clearance. Adjacent roles like systems analyst, integration technician, or software quality assurance engineer at smaller Maryland government contractors are common stepping stones, and pursuing INCOSE membership or a Certified Systems Engineering Professional credential in progress signals seriousness to hiring managers.
Where can I find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in Maryland?
You can find and apply to software systems engineer jobs in Maryland on Migrate Mate, which lists current Maryland openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, clearance status, and technical background, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 20 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs