OSTP Software Developer

Earn your master’s degree while building real-world open source software.

Kitware’s Open Source Software Technology Program (OSTP) is a full-time position for talented and curious new Computer Science and Computer Engineering graduates, offering an opportunity to launch their careers while earning a master’s degree in Computer Science.

You’ll work on real-world open source software projects, develop your technical and leadership skills, and complete your graduate education - all while earning a competitive salary.

You’ll gain experience developing innovative software with applications across areas such as computer vision, scientific computing, data and analytics, medical computing, and software solutions. Along the way, you’ll learn not only how to build and maintain powerful open source platforms, but also how successful technical projects are led, funded, and sustained.

How it Works

OSTP Software Developers join Kitware as full-time, permanent employees from day one. The program is designed to combine professional software development experience with graduate study, with the master’s degree typically completed over a three-year period.

Throughout that time, you’ll work on-site at Kitware’s Clifton Park, NY headquarters while completing your master’s coursework. Your work schedule is designed with the demands of graduate study in mind, with flexibility during the academic year to balance your Kitware responsibilities and coursework. During the summer and other academic breaks, you’ll have greater availability to focus on your work at Kitware.

Kitware covers 100% of educational expenses for your master’s degree. By the time you complete your degree, you’ll have also gained approximately three years of professional experience developing open source software. And because OSTP is a permanent position - not a three-year appointment - we hope earning your master’s degree will be one milestone in a long-term career with Kitware.

What You’ll Do

• Work on a variety of real-world open source software projects.
• Develop software with applications across computer vision, scientific computing, data and analytics, medical computing, and other technical areas.
• Build a deep understanding of what it takes to create, maintain, and grow powerful open source software platforms.
• Learn open source software development processes and best practices.
• Develop technical and business knowledge that can prepare you for future leadership opportunities.
• Learn the fundamentals of project leadership.
• Gain exposure to how funding is acquired to support the development and growth of open source platforms.
• Complete your master’s degree in Computer Science while gaining professional software development experience.

What We’re Looking For

This position is specifically designed for recent graduates who are ready to continue their education while beginning their professional software development careers.

• Be completing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering in Spring 2027. December 2026 graduates will also be considered.
• Have demonstrable programming experience through undergraduate projects, internships, or similar experience.
• Have experience programming in both C++ and Python.
• Have strong communication skills.
• Be willing and able to meet the program’s on-site work requirements in Clifton Park, NY.
• Due to contractual requirements, this position requires U.S. citizenship and a willingness and ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Employment visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing experience with open source software development.

Why Kitware?

Kitware is a research and development software company working to advance science, make a positive impact, and share our results. Our work contributes to areas including healthcare, national security, scientific discovery, and advanced computing, and our customers and collaborators include government organizations, national laboratories, leading universities, medical device manufacturers, technology companies, and other organizations around the world.

Open source software is central to how we work. For someone beginning a career in software development, that means an opportunity to learn by contributing to real software, working alongside experienced researchers and developers, and seeing how collaborative software projects grow fr…