Backend Technical Lead - Wagtail CMS

About the role

Black Canyon Consulting (BCC) is searching for a Backend Technical Lead with strong experience in Wagtail CMS, Django/Python, GraphQL APIs, Headless CMS architecture, and multisite implementation. This role will lead the technical design, development, adoption, and delivery of scalable Wagtail CMS solutions for NCBI’s public-facing web platforms. BCC is a growth-oriented company dedicated to providing mission-critical scientific and technical services to the Federal Government.

This opportunity is full-time and on-site in Bethesda/Rockville, Maryland.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and implementation of Wagtail CMS solutions using Django and Python.
• Drive the adoption of Wagtail CMS at NCBI, including technical strategy, implementation guidance, standards, documentation, and best practices.
• Design and support headless CMS capabilities for modern frontend applications.
• Oversee GraphQL API development for structured content delivery.
• Lead multisite Wagtail setup for multiple websites, content areas, and publishing workflows.
• Define content models, StreamField structures, snippets, permissions, workflows, and admin customizations.
• Establish coding standards, architecture patterns, documentation, and review processes.
• Mentor developers and provide technical guidance across CMS and backend work.
• Collaborate with frontend, UX, content, product, DevOps, and stakeholder teams.
• Ensure solutions are secure, scalable, accessible, maintainable, and performant.
• Support troubleshooting, testing, deployment, release planning, and production support.

Requirements

• Strong experience with Wagtail CMS, Django, and Python.
• Proven technical leadership experience on CMS or web platform projects.
• Hands-on experience with GraphQL APIs and headless CMS implementation.
• Experience with multisite Wagtail architecture.
• Experience supporting CMS adoption, governance, standards, and best practices across teams or organizations.
• Deep understanding of Wagtail content modeling, StreamField, snippets, workflows, permissions, preview, and admin customization.
• Experience with PostgreSQL, API design, caching, security, testing, Git, CI/CD, and deployment workflows.
• Strong communication, mentoring, documentation, and stakeholder collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science.
• 5+ years of full-stack web applications development, using Wagtail CMS and Django.
• Experience implementing, extending, migrating, or supporting adoption of a Content Management System across teams or products.
• Experience developing and integrating with Headless CMS platforms and consuming GraphQL or REST APIs.
• Experience with public-facing government, scientific, biomedical, or research websites.
• Familiarity with Section 508, WCAG, and U.S. Web Design System.
• Experience with search integrations, CMS migrations, Docker, cloud hosting, CDN configuration, SEO, metadata, and analytics.
• Experience working in Agile or cross-functional product teams.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401k plan with employer contribution.
• Paid holidays and vacation.
• Tuition reimbursement.