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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Associate Software Engineer - **Company:** The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC - **Location:** North Laurel, MD, United States - **Experience:** Starter - **Salary:** $85,000.0 - $195,000.0 - **Contract:** Internship / Graduate position - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Amazon Web Services, Unit Testing, Microsoft Azure, Unix, C++ (Programming Language), Cloud Computing, Configuration Management, Code Review, Continuous Integration, Software Debugging, Linux, DevOps, Distributed Systems, Github, Protocol Buffers, Integrated Development Environments, JSON, Python (Programming Language), Log4j, RabbitMQ, Software Tools, Prometheus, Swagger, Secure Coding, Software Engineering, Systems Integration, Openapi, Data Logging, Data Processing, Google Cloud, Grafana, Kubernetes Helm Charts, Backend, Git, Containerization, Gitlab-ci, Integration Tests, Kubernetes, Information Technology, Apache Kafka, Restful APIs, Software Version Control, Data Pipelines, Devsecops, Docker, Elk Stack, Jenkins - **Published:** August 14, 2026 - **Apply:** https://diversityjobs.com/main/sendform/8/8/28176/1/17950242?backUrl=%2Fcareer%2F17950242%2FAssociate-Software-Engineer-Maryland-Laurel ## About the Role Do you enjoy solving challenging problems and want hands-on experience with cloud-native technologies, DevSecOps, and distributed systems? Are you eager to learn from experienced engineers while contributing to secure, reliable software with real-world mission impact?, * Hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, a related field, or equivalent practical experience (internships, opensource contributions, capstone projects). * Have 2+ years of full software engineering experience, including software design methodology, requirements development, configuration management, trade studies, and product defect tracking * Basic proficiency in at least one modern language/stack (C++, Java, or Python). Academic projects, internships, or personal code are acceptable. * Foundational Docker knowledge (building and running containers) and exposure to Kubernetes concepts (pods, Deployments, Services, ConfigMaps, Helm charts). * Experience (or coursework) creating simple CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, or Jenkins) that run builds, tests, and basic security scans. * Understanding of REST APIs, OpenAPI/Swagger documentation basics, and JSON data exchange (Protobuf a plus). * Familiarity with testing practices - writing unit tests and basic integration tests. * Comfortable using Git (feature branches, pull requests, and code reviews). * Possess interpersonal skills and are an effective communicator. * Have the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment. * Are able to obtain a Top-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: * Possess a Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field. * Have experience with DevOps Engineering or Process Automation * Have experience with cloud technologies such as Amazon Web Services, Azure, Google Cloud. * Knowledge of logging frameworks (Log4j/SLF4J), ELK stack, Prometheus, Grafana. * Introductory experience with Kafka, RabbitMQ, or other async patterns. * Have experience with Unix, Linux, and network computing. * Are well-versed in using professional software development tools such as integrated development environments (IDE), version control, issue trackers, debuggers and continuous integration tools and willing to lead teams through integration processes * Interest or experience with spacerelated software, realtime systems, or largescale data processing. * Knowledge of crossdomain solutions or highassurance system integration is a plus. ## Description We are looking for an Associate Software Engineer to help design, develop, and maintain critical software that supports National Security Space operations in a TS/SCI environment. You will work on scalable, secure, and observable systems for spacedomain applications such as commandandcontrol, data processing, mission planning, and multidomain integration tools. This is an excellent opportunity to grow your engineering skills while contributing to some of the toughest problems faced by our sponsors. The role emphasizes DevSecOps practices, cloudnative architectures, and secure development/deployment in classified environments. You will work on distributed systems where reliability, security, performance, and auditability are essential, and you will receive mentorship from senior engineers throughout the process., * Assist in designing and implementing backend services, APIs, and data pipelines for spaceoperations software. * Help build and maintain containerized applications and contribute to CI/CD pipelines under guidance. * Participate in adding security controls throughout the development lifecycle (DevSecOps). * Support development of eventdriven or messagingbased components (e.g., basic Kafka/RabbitMQ usage). * Follow compliance procedures for classified environments, including airgapped deployments and controlled updates. * Identify and solve issue, monitor, and improve system performance and observability in test and staging environments. * Participate in code reviews, learn from architecture discussions, and receive mentorship on standard methodologies., This is a highimpact role that offers handson experience building resilient software directly supporting spacesuperiority missions in a secure, forwardleaning development environment. You will grow your technical expertise while working alongside seasoned engineers dedicated to national security. ## Related Videos - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - Node and Package Security](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2138-wearedevelopers-live-node-and-package-security) - [Tips and Tricks for Working with JSON](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1229-tips-and-tricks-for-working-with-json) - [Security Pitfalls for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/726-security-pitfalls-for-software-engineers) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) - [Shipping Faster with Less: Render on Cloud Hosting, AI Workloads, and the Future of DevOps](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1894-shipping-faster-with-less-render-on-cloud-hosting-ai-workloads-and-the-future-of-devops) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs) - [Best Countries for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/267-best-countries-for-software-engineers) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs)