Software Engineering Services Corp., an Omaha-based software consulting company, plans to add up to 40 high-paying positions in West Des Moines by the end of the year as the first phase of a national expansion.

SES, which has traditionally served the federal and state government markets, is expanding its services to the commercial market, said Sam Mandolfo, the company’s director of global commercial consulting. It plans further expansion next year in Kansas City, San Antonio and Las Vegas.

Its commercial business will specialize in providing information technology contract services to a broad range of industries, among them insurance, health care and manufacturing. Mandolfo said a small existing staff at its West Des Moines office, located at 1200 Westown Parkway, will continue to serve the state of Iowa, its primary government client in the state.

Mandolfo said SES consultants’ salaries typically range from about $60,000 to around $100,000. The company has applied for a training reimbursement program with the state, but has not applied for any direct economic development incentives, he said.

“We’re going to try to attract the most talented IT professionals to come to work for us and stay in the area,” he said. “That’s a real initiative of ours. And also attract the top talent from around the country that wants the quality of life that Des Moines provides.”