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 5 of 21+ Software Systems Engineer jobs
The successful candidate will evaluate, configure, customize, implement, and support an electronic personnel-management solution used to administer performance-based compensation, position descriptions, personnel classification, performance ratings, and related STRL processes.
This is a highly specialized role requiring direct experience with DoD STRL Lab Demo personnel-management systems. General HRIS, commercial HR software, or conventional software-development experience alone does not satisfy the required specialized experience.
Work Arrangement: Primarily onsite; remote or ad hoc telework may be authorized by the Government
- Evaluate available STRL Lab Demo electronic personnel-management systems and potential custom alternatives.
- Support selection and implementation of the Government-selected solution.
- Configure and customize the system to support NMRC personnel-management requirements.
- Develop system deployment and hosting approaches supporting NMRC and its subordinate commands.
- Support operation across applicable DoD networks and geographically distributed locations.
- Ensure system capabilities support required PII handling and applicable DoD information-security requirements.
- Configure functionality supporting:
- Position descriptions.
- Personnel classification.
- Performance ratings.
- Contribution assessments.
- Compensation-related processes.
- Conduct system configuration, testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and updates.
- Develop system-administration and operating procedures.
- Train administrators and end users on system functionality and lifecycle management.
- Provide technical support during mock pay pools, personnel conversion, and the first rating cycle.
- Support help-desk and sustainment activities associated with the selected solution.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex software requirements and develop effective solutions.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Master's degree or higher in a relevant field, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum 4 years of knowledge and work experience with DoD STRL Lab Demo systems.
- At least 2 years of experience developing, customizing, or maintaining an STRL Lab Demo personnel-management electronic system for a DoD client.
- Demonstrated experience successfully navigating DoD network requirements.
- U.S. citizenship.
- Ability to satisfy required Tier 3 background-investigation and Government-access requirements.
- STRL performance-management or contribution-based compensation applications.
- DoD application deployment and systems integration.
- Handling systems containing PII or sensitive personnel information.
- CAC-enabled environments.
- DoD Risk Management Framework or related cybersecurity processes.
- Federal HR information systems.
Pay and Benefits
At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.
The successful candidate will evaluate, configure, customize, implement, and support an electronic personnel-management solution used to administer performance-based compensation, position descriptions, personnel classification, performance ratings, and related STRL processes.
This is a highly specialized role requiring direct experience with DoD STRL Lab Demo personnel-management systems. General HRIS, commercial HR software, or conventional software-development experience alone does not satisfy the required specialized experience.
Work Arrangement: Primarily onsite; remote or ad hoc telework may be authorized by the Government
- Evaluate available STRL Lab Demo electronic personnel-management systems and potential custom alternatives.
- Support selection and implementation of the Government-selected solution.
- Configure and customize the system to support NMRC personnel-management requirements.
- Develop system deployment and hosting approaches supporting NMRC and its subordinate commands.
- Support operation across applicable DoD networks and geographically distributed locations.
- Ensure system capabilities support required PII handling and applicable DoD information-security requirements.
- Configure functionality supporting:
- Position descriptions.
- Personnel classification.
- Performance ratings.
- Contribution assessments.
- Compensation-related processes.
- Conduct system configuration, testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and updates.
- Develop system-administration and operating procedures.
- Train administrators and end users on system functionality and lifecycle management.
- Provide technical support during mock pay pools, personnel conversion, and the first rating cycle.
- Support help-desk and sustainment activities associated with the selected solution.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex software requirements and develop effective solutions.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Master's degree or higher in a relevant field, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum 4 years of knowledge and work experience with DoD STRL Lab Demo systems.
- At least 2 years of experience developing, customizing, or maintaining an STRL Lab Demo personnel-management electronic system for a DoD client.
- Demonstrated experience successfully navigating DoD network requirements.
- U.S. citizenship.
- Ability to satisfy required Tier 3 background-investigation and Government-access requirements.
- STRL performance-management or contribution-based compensation applications.
- DoD application deployment and systems integration.
- Handling systems containing PII or sensitive personnel information.
- CAC-enabled environments.
- DoD Risk Management Framework or related cybersecurity processes.
- Federal HR information systems.
Pay and Benefits
At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.
See All 21 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
- 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 Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, GEICO, and Textron Systems, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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?
Laurel, Hanover, and Bethesda 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 September 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 21 Software Systems Engineer Jobs in Maryland
Find roles in Maryland that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs