Systems Development Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Systems Development Engineer jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, concentrated in defense contracting, federal IT, and cloud infrastructure, with openings from entry-level associate engineers through principal and senior staff roles. The heaviest hiring activity clusters in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads corridor, where employers like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Amazon Web Services maintain large engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties in Virginia right now include cloud automation, CI/CD pipeline development, and large-scale distributed systems work. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 24+ Systems Development Engineer jobs
DESCRIPTION
We are looking for a Systems Development Engineer to work as part of a team that will help design, implement, and support resilient, high-performance systems for government customers operating in air-gapped regions. You'll be part of a truly innovative team in a fast-paced environment that has the entrepreneurial feel of a start-up. This is an opportunity to design, build, and operate systems on a massive scale, and to gain top-notch experience in cloud computing. You'll be surrounded by people who are passionate about cloud computing and believe that world-class service is critical to customer success.
The ideal candidate will:
- Be great fun to work with. Our company credo is "Work hard. Have fun. Make history". The right candidate will love what they do and instinctively know how to make work fun.
- Have strong Linux & Networking Fundamentals. You should have deep experience working with Linux, preferably in a large-scale, distributed environment. You understand networking technology and how servers and networks inter-relate.
- Think Big. You will build and deploy solutions across thousands of devices. You will strive to improve and streamline processes to allow for work on a massive scale.
- Have experience in systems development, software engineering, or a related field.
- Possess strong technical skills in systems design, software development, operations, automation, and process improvement.
- Have exposure to designing and implementing technology solutions with a focus on resilience and scalability.
- Be proficient in at least one programming language and eager to learn cloud technologies.
- Have solid problem-solving skills and the ability to break down complex issues into manageable components with guidance from senior engineers.
- Communicate effectively within your team and contribute to technical discussions.
- Have a passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement.
This position requires that the candidate selected must currently possess and maintain an active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph. The position further requires the candidate to opt into a commensurate clearance for each government agency for which they perform AWS work.
Key job responsibilities
As a Systems Development Engineer you will:
- Contribute to the design and delivery of technology solutions that improve resilience, performance, and operational efficiency of our systems.
- Work on well-defined components, applications, and technology solutions with guidance from senior engineers, while growing toward greater autonomy.
- Identify and escalate ambiguous problems and architectural deficiencies, contributing to solutions under the direction of more experienced team members.
- Participate in design, scoping, and prioritization discussions, learning to make technical trade-offs and understand costs of proposed solutions.
- Participate in reviews of architecture, design, operations, and post-incident analysis for your team.
- Troubleshoot problems by researching root causes and thoroughly resolving defects, seeking help when needed.
- Participate in an on-call rotation to support mission-critical services.
A day in the life
On a “typical” day, our engineers may dive deep to find the root cause of a customer issue, investigate why a metric is trending in the wrong direction, or discuss radical new approaches to automate operational processes. As a member of our team you will join a dedicated group of engineers who provide troubleshooting and operations support, and innovate to automate operational tasks.
About the team
AI/ML ADC
The AI/ML U.S. Amazon Dedicated Cloud (ADC) organization is a pioneering force in delivering secure, advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions to government and enterprise customers operating in isolated, air-gapped environments. Our mission is to empower these customers with cutting-edge AI/ML capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of security and compliance. We enable reliable, efficient builds and operations for services like SageMaker, Comprehend, Translate, Transcribe, Textract, Rekognition, and Bedrock in US ADC regions.
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
AWS Infrastructure Services (AIS)
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.
Mentorship and Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in automating, deploying, and supporting infrastructure
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust
- Experience with Linux/Unix
- 1+ years of administrative experience in networking, storage systems, operating systems and hands-on systems engineering experience
- 1+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 1+ years of designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Current, active US Government Security Clearance of TS/SCI with Polygraph
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines build processes
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, VA, Arlington - 99,100.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Herndon - 99,100.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
We are looking for a Systems Development Engineer to work as part of a team that will help design, implement, and support resilient, high-performance systems for government customers operating in air-gapped regions. You'll be part of a truly innovative team in a fast-paced environment that has the entrepreneurial feel of a start-up. This is an opportunity to design, build, and operate systems on a massive scale, and to gain top-notch experience in cloud computing. You'll be surrounded by people who are passionate about cloud computing and believe that world-class service is critical to customer success.
The ideal candidate will:
- Be great fun to work with. Our company credo is "Work hard. Have fun. Make history". The right candidate will love what they do and instinctively know how to make work fun.
- Have strong Linux & Networking Fundamentals. You should have deep experience working with Linux, preferably in a large-scale, distributed environment. You understand networking technology and how servers and networks inter-relate.
- Think Big. You will build and deploy solutions across thousands of devices. You will strive to improve and streamline processes to allow for work on a massive scale.
- Have experience in systems development, software engineering, or a related field.
- Possess strong technical skills in systems design, software development, operations, automation, and process improvement.
- Have exposure to designing and implementing technology solutions with a focus on resilience and scalability.
- Be proficient in at least one programming language and eager to learn cloud technologies.
- Have solid problem-solving skills and the ability to break down complex issues into manageable components with guidance from senior engineers.
- Communicate effectively within your team and contribute to technical discussions.
- Have a passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement.
This position requires that the candidate selected must currently possess and maintain an active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph. The position further requires the candidate to opt into a commensurate clearance for each government agency for which they perform AWS work.
Key job responsibilities
As a Systems Development Engineer you will:
- Contribute to the design and delivery of technology solutions that improve resilience, performance, and operational efficiency of our systems.
- Work on well-defined components, applications, and technology solutions with guidance from senior engineers, while growing toward greater autonomy.
- Identify and escalate ambiguous problems and architectural deficiencies, contributing to solutions under the direction of more experienced team members.
- Participate in design, scoping, and prioritization discussions, learning to make technical trade-offs and understand costs of proposed solutions.
- Participate in reviews of architecture, design, operations, and post-incident analysis for your team.
- Troubleshoot problems by researching root causes and thoroughly resolving defects, seeking help when needed.
- Participate in an on-call rotation to support mission-critical services.
A day in the life
On a “typical” day, our engineers may dive deep to find the root cause of a customer issue, investigate why a metric is trending in the wrong direction, or discuss radical new approaches to automate operational processes. As a member of our team you will join a dedicated group of engineers who provide troubleshooting and operations support, and innovate to automate operational tasks.
About the team
AI/ML ADC
The AI/ML U.S. Amazon Dedicated Cloud (ADC) organization is a pioneering force in delivering secure, advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions to government and enterprise customers operating in isolated, air-gapped environments. Our mission is to empower these customers with cutting-edge AI/ML capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of security and compliance. We enable reliable, efficient builds and operations for services like SageMaker, Comprehend, Translate, Transcribe, Textract, Rekognition, and Bedrock in US ADC regions.
Why AWS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
AWS Infrastructure Services (AIS)
AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.
Mentorship and Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in automating, deploying, and supporting infrastructure
- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust
- Experience with Linux/Unix
- 1+ years of administrative experience in networking, storage systems, operating systems and hands-on systems engineering experience
- 1+ years of non-internship professional software development experience
- 1+ years of designing or architecting (design patterns, reliability and scaling) of new and existing systems experience
- Current, active US Government Security Clearance of TS/SCI with Polygraph
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines build processes
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, VA, Arlington - 99,100.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
USA, VA, Herndon - 99,100.00 - 160,000.00 USD annually
See All 24 Systems Development Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsSystems Development Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Systems Development Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Amazon Web Services17
- Amazon3
- KBR1
- Markon1
- Iridium Satellite1
Top Industries Hiring
- Distribution & Wholesale
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in systems development engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related technical field
- Proficiency in at least one scripted or compiled language such as Python, Java, or Go
- Hands-on experience designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment infrastructure
- Familiarity with cloud platforms, particularly AWS, given the concentration of AWS infrastructure in Northern Virginia
- Active or obtainable U.S. security clearance preferred by many Virginia defense and federal contractors
- Experience with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation in production environments
Systems Development Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a systems development engineer in Virginia?
The most direct path is a bachelor's degree in computer science, systems engineering, or software engineering, followed by hands-on experience in build, release, or infrastructure roles. Virginia has no state-issued license for this role, but many positions at defense contractors and federal agencies require a security clearance, which you can pursue after receiving a conditional offer. Building proficiency in cloud platforms and automation tooling strengthens your candidacy significantly in this market.
How much do systems development engineers make in Virginia?
Systems development 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 systems development engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring systems development engineers in Virginia right now include Amazon Web Services, Amazon, and KBR, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's dense concentration of defense contractors and federal IT integrators in the Northern Virginia corridor means many of these roles involve government or cleared work alongside commercial cloud projects.
Which Virginia cities have the most systems development engineer jobs?
Herndon, Arlington, and Chantilly have the most systems development engineer openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia dominates because of its status as the world's largest data center hub and its proximity to federal agencies, which drives sustained demand from both cloud providers and defense contractors, while Richmond and Hampton Roads contribute through state government IT and naval systems work.
Are there remote systems development engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most fields, since the work is largely code-based and platform-driven. About 50% of systems development engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how well this role translates to distributed teams. Automation, pipeline development, and cloud infrastructure work tend to be the most remote-friendly sub-areas, while roles requiring access to classified systems or on-premises hardware are typically on-site.
How can I get hired as a systems development engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a junior or associate software engineer role at a Virginia-based federal contractor or cloud services firm, where structured onboarding programs exist for new graduates. Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and SAIC all run early-career programs that place candidates into systems or infrastructure tracks. Building a portfolio of automation scripts, CI/CD configurations, or cloud deployments in a personal or academic project strengthens your profile, and an entry-level cloud certification gives Virginia hiring managers a concrete signal of readiness.
Where can I find and apply to systems development engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to systems development engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across defense, cloud, and enterprise employers. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly from the listing.
See All 24 Systems Development Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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