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Junior Software Engineer

Skyward IT Solutions
Full-time
On-site
Rockville, Maryland, United States
We are Skyward.

That is, a love for people, for improvement, for human advancement through information technology. We are a people-centered business with a desire to serve others. We are diverse and unified; creative and collaborative; a collection of complementary, not competing talents. And though on the surface we remain relaxed, beneath, a torrent of energy links us to our civic tech mission.

We stand by our values, and we won’t compromise on any of them.

Integrity: We’re conscientious, intentional, and empathetic. Our words and actions align. That’s our character. Please don’t ask us to play another part, we’re poor actors.   
Compassionate: If we may borrow a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” Because our team is thoughtful and supportive, caring deeply for each other, our clients, and our work, this comes naturally. 
Inquisitive: We remain students by failing openly and turning lessons into solutions.
Unconventional: For us, life isn’t what happens outside of work. Work happens inside of life and our culture erases the line often dividing the two.   
Authentic: Made possible only because we embody the values listed above. We’re relaxed and fun yet intensely curious and driven. Team members are placed with thought, care, and precision to ensure that Trust, Truth, and Transparency continue to represent our brand.

Because of that, we continue Onward, Upward, and Skyward.

We need a Junior Software Engineer.
Are you a recent Computer Science grad? Would your friends describe you as someone who not only loves to solve problems, but who can analyze a topic to death? Or maybe your friends get bored of how often you talk about how you’ve learned to identify, trace, and fix bugs in your code . If this sounds like you, then please apply. We promise we won’t get bored.

Come join us if you're motivated to learn from others, to learn from mistakes, to be part of a future-looking and growth-oriented team.

Let's go Skyward together.

What you'll do:

    • Design and develop AI agents to solve real problems for government agencies and beyond.
    • Write clean, efficient Python code to build scalable AI solutions from scratch.
    • Conduct user interviews to gather requirements and translate them into technical specifications.
    • Experiment with cutting-edge LLM technologies and help define best practices.
    • Deploy and maintain local LLM networks and related infrastructure.
    • Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, agile environment.
    • Contribute to the AI playbook for government technology transformation.

What we'd like you to have:

    • Recent degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience.
    • Demonstrable coding skills with a strong preference for open-source contributions.
    • Experience working with LLMs and AI technologies (e.g., using APIs from Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.).
    • Proficiency in Python and comfort with learning new programming languages as needed.
    • Understanding of software development lifecycle and agile methodologies.
    • Strong problem-solving abilities and creativity in approaching technical challenges.
    • Excellent communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.

What would blow us away:

    • You have experience deploying and managing local LLM infrastructures.
    • You have prior work developing AI agents or conversational interfaces.
    • You’ve got a history of meaningful open-source contributions.
    • Experience with rapid prototyping and iterative development? Check.
    • Your passion for improving workflows through technology innovation shows in every project you’ve worked on.
    • You have side projects that demonstrate your love for coding, AI experimentation and optimization.

And now the important part. What we offer you:

    • Medical, dental, vision insurance (fully paid for employees)
    • 15 days of paid leave
    • 7 days of sick leave
    • 2 days bereavement leave
    • 11 paid Federal holidays
    • Up to 40 hours for jury duty
    • 401K with 4% employer contribution (and no vesting period)
    • Up to 4 weeks of paid paternity and maternity leave
    • Company provided laptop
    • $5,000 per year for professional development
    • $600 per year for technical supplies and equipment
    • $2,000 referral bonus
    • Life and disability insurance
    • HSA and FSA
    • Legal Shield and ID Shield Voluntary Benefits
    • Opportunity to work in a collaborative, motivated team focused on modernizing government services with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Who says government work can't be exciting!
$55,000 - $70,000 a year
We know great work deserves great pay. That’s why we ensure our compensation is not only competitive but also fair and transparent, as required by Maryland law. Expect a salary that matches your skills, experience, and the value you bring to the table —because you’re worth it!
At Skyward, we are committed to creating an environment where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or background, can thrive.
 
We support flexible working hours and remote opportunities to help maintain a healthy work-life balance for all employees, including caregivers and those with unique needs.
 
Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance due to the nature of our work as a government contractor.
 
Offers of employment with Skyward are contingent upon acceptable results of a background investigation.