Lead Software Engineer

Location: Reston, VA (remote). Type: Contract. Compensation: $88.64 per hour.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of application enhancements supporting cloud migration initiatives.
• Perform detailed technical design, coding, code reviews, testing, and deployment of new and existing applications.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for assigned applications and support the modernization of Java‑based solutions running within AWS and Kubernetes environments.
• Ensure compliance with enterprise architecture, cloud standards, and DevSecOps practices.
• Deliver scalable solutions supporting large enterprise user populations.
• Identify gaps in technical requirements and solve complex application integration challenges.
• Support migration of application connectivity from on‑premises and mainframe‑based data sources to cloud‑supported technologies including MongoDB and PostgreSQL.
• Evaluate technical risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Develop solutions that improve application performance, scalability, reliability, and cloud adoption.
• Compile, assess, and report results from software testing and analysis activities.
• Support the Project Manager and engineering leadership team on a cloud transformation program.
• Collaborate closely with Platform Engineering and DevOps teams to ensure applications are cloud‑ready and aligned with AWS standards.
• Design and implement application configurations, integrations, authentication mechanisms, and service interactions required for successful cloud deployment.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies and contribute to estimation, planning, and delivery of application features.
• Lead software design and development activities for application modernization efforts.
• Identify, analyze, define, and coordinate user, customer, and stakeholder needs and translate them into technical solutions.
• Support architectural discussions related to cloud migration, application modernization, and backend services.
• Ensure code quality, deployment standards, and engineering best practices.
• Mentor junior developers and contribute to ongoing technology improvements and cloud adoption initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field.
• 8+ years of overall IT experience, including software design, development, testing, and requirements management.
• Strong Java development experience, with an emphasis on back‑end engineering.
• Experience working in Agile environments.
• Experience integrating applications with databases, APIs, and enterprise systems.
• Experience supporting cloud migration and application modernization efforts.
• 3+ years of AWS experience.
• 3+ years of Amazon EKS experience.
• 3+ years of Kubernetes experience, including Istio and Helm Charts.
• 3+ years of experience with OAuth2 and JWT.
• Experience with MongoDB and/or PostgreSQL.
• Experience integrating legacy on‑premises systems with cloud‑based solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong experience with MongoDB and/or PostgreSQL.
• Experience supporting cloud migration and application modernization initiatives.
• Full‑stack development experience with a primary focus on back‑end development (approximately 80% back‑end / 20% front‑end).
• Experience modernizing database connectivity and migrating integrations from on‑premises environments to cloud‑based solutions.
• Experience working in Agile development environments.
• Experience with cloud‑native architectures and microservices.
• Experience with Angular (Angular 18+ preferred), HTML, and modern UI technologies.
• Familiarity with mainframe‑connected applications.
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, SDLC, DevSecOps, and application deployment best practices.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Spending accounts
• Life insurance
• Voluntary plans
• Participation in a 401(k) plan