Systems Development Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC
Systems Development Engineer jobs in Washington, District of Columbia are concentrated in the Capitol Hill corridor, the Navy Yard area, and Tysons Corner, driven by federal agencies, defense contractors, and cloud infrastructure firms. Employers hiring right now include Everforth ECS, General Dynamics Information Technology, and MTSI. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Spire Global is a space-to-cloud analytics company that owns and operates the largest multi-purpose constellation of satellites. We are hiring a Software Engineer to join our US-focused RFGL (Radio Frequency Geolocation) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) product team.
This role is not the algorithmic or scientific core of our geolocation capability (that sits with our Principal RF Engineer and research team). Instead, you will own the operational side: deploying and maintaining production RFGL/SIGINT software systems on AWS, handling data pipelines and integrations (internal + customer-facing), building monitoring tooling and automation, supporting satellite tasking workflows, and troubleshooting/fixing issues across payloads, ground systems, and infrastructure to drive RFGL product success for commercial, government, and defense customers.
ITAR restrictions apply to the work performed on this team. You will work under the direct supervision and mentorship of a senior software engineer on a small, high-impact team. This is an early-to-mid-career hands-on role ideal for someone who thrives in iterative, production-focused environments and wants to contribute meaningfully to mission-critical space systems without needing deep RF estimation theory expertise upfront.
What You'll Do:
- Deploy, maintain, and monitor RFGL and SIGINT software products in AWS production environments, ensuring high availability and performance for real customers
- Build and improve data handling pipelines, integrations with Spire internal systems, and customer-facing data delivery platforms
- Develop tooling and automation for production monitoring, alerting, logging, and operational observability
- Support satellite tasking operations and command workflows that enable RF geolocation missions
- Investigate and resolve bugs, performance issues, or enhancement needs in satellite payload software, ground systems, and related infrastructure
- Collaborate closely with the senior software engineer, RF domain experts, and cross-functional teams to implement incremental improvements that directly enhance RFGL product reliability and capability
- Contribute to infrastructure automation, CI/CD processes, and secure deployment practices in a regulated environment
Required Qualifications:
- 2–5 years of professional software engineering experience (or equivalent academic + internship/project work for strong early-career candidates)
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda, ECS/EKS, CloudWatch, IAM, or similar services) — this is critical
- Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, data processing, and backend tooling
- Solid Linux fundamentals (administration, bash scripting, system troubleshooting)
- Experience building or maintaining production systems with a focus on reliability, monitoring, and operational excellence
- Strong communication skills and comfort working collaboratively in a small team under senior guidance
Preferred Qualifications: (These are differentiators)
- Security background or experience implementing secure engineering practices, compliance controls, or working in regulated/government environments
- Background with big data systems, pipelines, or tools (e.g., Spark, Kafka, Databricks, S3-based data lakes)
- Infrastructure-as-Code experience (Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation, etc.)
- Prior exposure to space, aerospace, satellite operations, ground stations, or related domains
- Familiarity with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, etc.), or observability tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack)
- Any experience reading/debugging C++ or embedded systems code (helpful for payload/ground system work)
Spire operates a hybrid work model, and this position will require you to work a minimum of three days per week in the office.
Access to US export-controlled software and/or technology may be required for this role. If needed, Spire will arrange the necessary licenses—this is not something candidates need to have before applying. #LI-MK1
The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Final base salary for this role will be based on the location, skills, experience and qualifications. In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible for commissions and annual equity awards. This role is also eligible for our employee benefits program, including vacation, sick, and personal time off; optional medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage; a 401(K) plan; health and wellness reimbursement program; and participation in Spire’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Base Salary Range
Global Perks
️ Name Your Satellite Program (NYSP)
Launch Attendance
Generous Time Off Policy
Education Assistance Program
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
Family Leave
Fitness Reimbursement
Employee Referral Program
Healthy snacks & beverages in every office
About Spire
We improve life on Earth with data from space.
Spire Global is a space-to-cloud analytics company that owns and operates the largest multi-purpose constellation of satellites. Its proprietary data and algorithms provide the most advanced maritime, aviation, and weather tracking in the world. In addition to its constellation, Spire’s data infrastructure includes a global ground station network and 24/7 operations that provide real-time global coverage of every point on Earth.
Spire is Global and our success draws upon the diverse viewpoints, skills and experiences of our employees. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status.
To help maintain a safe and secure workplace for Spire employees, all candidates who receive a conditional offer will be required to complete a background check. This may include criminal history and employment verification.
Please take a moment to review Spire's Global Data Privacy Notice for Employees, Contractors, Candidates and Visitors, as well as Spire's Privacy Policy.
Kindly be advised that communication regarding your application may come from @spire.com, @recruiting.spire.com, or from Candidate.fyi (our scheduling tool).
Spire Global is a space-to-cloud analytics company that owns and operates the largest multi-purpose constellation of satellites. We are hiring a Software Engineer to join our US-focused RFGL (Radio Frequency Geolocation) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) product team.
This role is not the algorithmic or scientific core of our geolocation capability (that sits with our Principal RF Engineer and research team). Instead, you will own the operational side: deploying and maintaining production RFGL/SIGINT software systems on AWS, handling data pipelines and integrations (internal + customer-facing), building monitoring tooling and automation, supporting satellite tasking workflows, and troubleshooting/fixing issues across payloads, ground systems, and infrastructure to drive RFGL product success for commercial, government, and defense customers.
ITAR restrictions apply to the work performed on this team. You will work under the direct supervision and mentorship of a senior software engineer on a small, high-impact team. This is an early-to-mid-career hands-on role ideal for someone who thrives in iterative, production-focused environments and wants to contribute meaningfully to mission-critical space systems without needing deep RF estimation theory expertise upfront.
What You'll Do:
- Deploy, maintain, and monitor RFGL and SIGINT software products in AWS production environments, ensuring high availability and performance for real customers
- Build and improve data handling pipelines, integrations with Spire internal systems, and customer-facing data delivery platforms
- Develop tooling and automation for production monitoring, alerting, logging, and operational observability
- Support satellite tasking operations and command workflows that enable RF geolocation missions
- Investigate and resolve bugs, performance issues, or enhancement needs in satellite payload software, ground systems, and related infrastructure
- Collaborate closely with the senior software engineer, RF domain experts, and cross-functional teams to implement incremental improvements that directly enhance RFGL product reliability and capability
- Contribute to infrastructure automation, CI/CD processes, and secure deployment practices in a regulated environment
Required Qualifications:
- 2–5 years of professional software engineering experience (or equivalent academic + internship/project work for strong early-career candidates)
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda, ECS/EKS, CloudWatch, IAM, or similar services) — this is critical
- Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, data processing, and backend tooling
- Solid Linux fundamentals (administration, bash scripting, system troubleshooting)
- Experience building or maintaining production systems with a focus on reliability, monitoring, and operational excellence
- Strong communication skills and comfort working collaboratively in a small team under senior guidance
Preferred Qualifications: (These are differentiators)
- Security background or experience implementing secure engineering practices, compliance controls, or working in regulated/government environments
- Background with big data systems, pipelines, or tools (e.g., Spark, Kafka, Databricks, S3-based data lakes)
- Infrastructure-as-Code experience (Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation, etc.)
- Prior exposure to space, aerospace, satellite operations, ground stations, or related domains
- Familiarity with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, etc.), or observability tools (Prometheus, Grafana, ELK stack)
- Any experience reading/debugging C++ or embedded systems code (helpful for payload/ground system work)
Spire operates a hybrid work model, and this position will require you to work a minimum of three days per week in the office.
Access to US export-controlled software and/or technology may be required for this role. If needed, Spire will arrange the necessary licenses—this is not something candidates need to have before applying. #LI-MK1
The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Final base salary for this role will be based on the location, skills, experience and qualifications. In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible for commissions and annual equity awards. This role is also eligible for our employee benefits program, including vacation, sick, and personal time off; optional medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage; a 401(K) plan; health and wellness reimbursement program; and participation in Spire’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Base Salary Range
Global Perks
️ Name Your Satellite Program (NYSP)
Launch Attendance
Generous Time Off Policy
Education Assistance Program
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
Family Leave
Fitness Reimbursement
Employee Referral Program
Healthy snacks & beverages in every office
About Spire
We improve life on Earth with data from space.
Spire Global is a space-to-cloud analytics company that owns and operates the largest multi-purpose constellation of satellites. Its proprietary data and algorithms provide the most advanced maritime, aviation, and weather tracking in the world. In addition to its constellation, Spire’s data infrastructure includes a global ground station network and 24/7 operations that provide real-time global coverage of every point on Earth.
Spire is Global and our success draws upon the diverse viewpoints, skills and experiences of our employees. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status.
To help maintain a safe and secure workplace for Spire employees, all candidates who receive a conditional offer will be required to complete a background check. This may include criminal history and employment verification.
Please take a moment to review Spire's Global Data Privacy Notice for Employees, Contractors, Candidates and Visitors, as well as Spire's Privacy Policy.
Kindly be advised that communication regarding your application may come from @spire.com, @recruiting.spire.com, or from Candidate.fyi (our scheduling tool).
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software10
- Consulting & Professional Services7
- Education4
- Aerospace & Defense4
- Manufacturing2
Systems Development Engineer Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a systems development engineer job in Washington?
Focus your search on Washington's dominant hiring sectors: federal IT contracting, defense and intelligence agencies, and the cloud and cybersecurity firms that support them. Roles concentrate near the Capitol Hill corridor, Navy Yard, and the Tysons Corner tech cluster in Northern Virginia. Candidates with active security clearances or experience on government cloud infrastructure have a meaningful edge in this market over generalist applicants.
Which companies hire systems development engineers in Washington?
Employers hiring systems development engineers in Washington right now include Everforth ECS, General Dynamics Information Technology, and MTSI, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Washington's hiring base leans heavily toward large federal contractors, defense-adjacent technology firms, and agencies with substantial internal engineering teams.
Are there remote systems development engineer jobs in Washington?
Yes, though availability depends on the role. Systems development engineering often involves infrastructure, automation, and platform work that can be done remotely, making it more remote-compatible than hands-on hardware roles. About 52% of systems development engineer openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of July 2026. Platform engineering and DevOps-focused positions within Washington's contractor ecosystem tend to offer the most remote flexibility.
How can I get a systems development engineer job in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Washington is through federal contractor internship programs and junior IT roles at mid-size contractors that staff government programs. Entry-level positions such as systems administrator, junior DevOps engineer, or cloud support associate are common stepping stones with Washington employers. Obtaining foundational certifications like AWS Cloud Practitioner or CompTIA Security+ and expressing willingness to pursue a security clearance significantly improves your candidacy with local firms.
Which industries hire the most systems development engineers in Washington?
The sectors hiring the most systems development engineers in Washington are Technology & Software, Consulting & Professional Services, and Education, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Washington's unique concentration of federal agencies and the contractors that support them makes government technology and national security the dominant drivers of local demand for this role.
Related Jobs in District of Columbia
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