Mid/Senior Software Development Engineer (US Federal)

Workday, Inc.; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 164,000 - 246,000; Full time

Job summary

Workday, Inc. in Reston, VA is seeking a full-stack Software Development Engineer with a strong backend focus to join the App Hub team. You will design, build, and operate production microservices on AWS and Kubernetes, owning services end-to-end.

You will collaborate with product owners and designers, contribute to reliable deployments, and develop frontend interfaces when needed. This role suits senior engineers who mentor others and drive scalable Workday Extend solutions and support federal

Qualifications

• 5+ years delivering full-stack features with backend focus.
• Experience with React or similar frontend technology.
• 5+ years Java or Go experience.
• 3+ years containerization with Docker and Kubernetes.
• 2+ years AWS/Kubernetes cloud tools and services.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with product owners and designers to design, build, test, and deliver high-quality software.
• Design and implement scalable, resilient microservices on AWS with Kubernetes.
• Write clear, efficient code and participate in reviews.
• Build frontend interfaces when required to deliver complete features.
• Own services end-to-end, including incident response and reliability improvements.
• Estimate effort and prioritize work in an Agile environment.
• Contribute to team productivity and tooling.

Skills

React

Java

Go

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS

AI tools

Cloud services

CI/CD

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or related field

Tools

Git

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

Your work days are brighter here. We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care.

We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back.

In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul.

So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Team

Your work matters here. At Workday Government, we focus on outcomes that serve a larger mission.

Our work supports U.S. federal agencies as they modernize and transform the full employee lifecycle experience and finance operations—so they can operate with greater clarity, accountability, and trust.

As a Fortune 500 company and a proven enterprise cloud platform, Workday brings modern technology, responsible AI, and secure infrastructure to some of the most complex environments in the world.

The work isn’t theoretical. It’s operational. It’s high-impact. And it demands rigor, integrity, and long-term thinking.

Developer Platform

App life cycle is the core of Workday’s Developer Platform, providing the infrastructure to manage the full lifecycle of applications. This platform governs the promotion, deployment, installation, version management, and compiler orchestration of Extend apps. Built on AWS, our services are designed with core components focused on scalability, resilience, and robustness.

If you’re looking to apply your experience to meaningful, mission-driven work—alongside colleagues who take pride in building things that last—you’ll find that opportunity at Workday.

About the Role

This role will support one or more direct or indirect contracts with the U.S. Federal Government which, due to federal government security requirements, mandates that all Workday personnel working on the contracts be United States citizens (naturalized or native).

We are looking for a full stack Software Development Engineer with a strong backend focus to join the App Hub team.

In this role, you will spend the majority of your time designing, building, and operating production microservices on AWS and Kubernetes that serve as the foundation for Workday's Extend developer ecosystem. You will own services end-to-end, from design and implementation through production reliability, and build frontend interfaces where the work requires it.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with peers, product owners, and designers to design, build, test, and deliver high-quality software to Workday's growing developer community
• Design and implement scalable, resilient microservices on AWS with Kubernetes
• Write clear, efficient, and maintainable code and participate actively in design and code reviews
• Build frontend interfaces as required to deliver complete, production-ready features
• Own services through their full lifecycle, including incident response, root cause analysis, and ongoing reliability improvements
• Discover and troubleshoot issues with existing architecture and code
• Support release planning by providing detailed estimates of effort, risk, and priority in an agile environment
• Contribute to team productivity, tooling, and process improvements

About You

Mid Level Basic Qualifications

• 5 + years of experience in delivering full stack features, with backend as primary discipline and working knowledge of frontend technologies (React or similar)
• 5+ years of experience with object-oriented or functional design and programming with Java or Go
• 3+ Hands-on experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
• 2+ years experience with cloud development tools, particularly AWS and Kubernetes (e.g., S3, Lambda, EC2, CloudFront)
• 2+ years of experience building and operating products in cloud environments (AWS preferred/GCP/Azure)
• Demonstrated proficiency with AI-assisted development tools (Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, or similar), including the ability to direct, review, and validate AI-generated code
• Proven ability to identify opportunities and deliver scalable solutions that enhance the developer experience for Workday's Extend ecosystem.
• Solid experience delivering cloud-based production services to an enterprise customer base
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or related experience

Senior Level Basic Qualifications

• 8 + years of years of experience in delivering full stack features, with backend as primary discipline and working knowledge of frontend technologies (React or similar)
• 8+ years of experience with object-oriented or functional design and programming with Java or Go
• 5+ Hands-on experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
• 5+ years of experience building and operating products in cloud environments (AWS preferred/GCP/Azure)
• 5+ years experience with cloud development tools, particularly AWS and Kubernetes (e.g., S3, Lambda, EC2, CloudFront, SQS, SNS, DynamoDB, and MySQL)
• Drive innovation by integrating AI capabilities and applying Responsible AI principles to build scalable software solutions that enhance the Workday Extend developer experience.
• Demonstrate proficiency with AI-assisted and agentic coding tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot) including the ability to direct, review, and validate AI-generated code.
• Knowledge of architectural standards, such as Model Context Protocol (MCP), to implement a spec-driven development approach.
• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in computer science, Engineering, or related experience.
• Ability to mentor other engineers

Other Qualifications Preferred

• DoD 8570/8140 compliant with at least IAT Level II certification, including a current Computing Environment (CE) credential and one approved specialty certification (e.g., CompTIA CySA+, GICSP, CASP+)
• AI Experience: Experience applying prompt engineering techniques within development workflows to accelerate delivery, reduce time-to-production, and maintain code quality standards
• Experience: Proven experience delivering cloud-based production services to an enterprise customer base.
• Software Development: Demonstrated ability to translate design concepts into functional software.
• Design Patterns: Strong understanding and application of common design patterns.
• Development Tools & Processes: Proficiency in modern development tools and processes, including IDEs, version control (e.g., Git), and CI/CD pipelines.
• Testing & Automation: Passionate about software development with expertise in automated end-to-end (E2E) testing.
• Agile Environment: Proven ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced Agile environment.
• Product Collaboration: Experience collaborating with product managers to define and refine requirements.
• Communication: Strong communication skills and written skills, with the ability to collaborate with both technical and non-technical partners.
• Passion for Service Ownership: A strong passion for service ownership, coding, working within fast-paced, agile environments and cross-functional teams.

Workday Pay Transparency Statement

The annualized base salary ranges for the primary location and any additional locations are listed below. Workday pay ranges vary based on work location.

As a part of the total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Workday Bonus Plan or a role-specific commission/bonus, as well as annual refresh stock grants. Recruiters can share more detail during the hiring process. Each candidate’s compensation offer will be based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, geography, experience, skills, job duties, and business need, among other things.

For more information regarding Workday’s comprehensive benefits,

Primary Location: USA.VA.Reston

Base Pay Range: $163,800 USD - $245,800 USD

Additional US Location(s)

Base Pay Range: $148,200 USD - $264,000 USD

Our Approach to Flexible Work

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote 'home office' roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

Fair Chance and Equal Opportunity

Pursuant to applicable Fair Chance law, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Workday is an Equal Opportunity Employer including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. At Workday, we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive hiring experience where all candidates can fully demonstrate their skills. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point, please email [e-mail].

Workday is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Workday are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Further, pursuant to applicable local ordinances, Workday will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. We do not accept resumes from headhunters, placement agencies, or other suppliers that have not signed a formal agreement with us.

Workday is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals during our application process, in order to perform one or more essential functions of their job, as well as regarding the use of AI tools for employment decision-making to any degree. Please see below for more details including how to request an accommodation as a qualified veteran, due to a disability or for religious reasons, or as otherwise provided under applicable law. Workday prohibits taking adverse action against any candidate or employee for reporting a possible violation of this policy, requesting one or more work accommodation, exercising a privacy right, or cooperating in an investigation in accordance with applicable law. Any employee who retaliates against a candidate or employee for doing so may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, to the fullest extent allowable under applicable law. If you require a reasonable accommodation, you may email [e-mail], as far in advance as possible.