Mobile Application Developer

About the role

Bixal is seeking a Mobile Application Developer to join our digital services team to support FEMA’s Office of External Affairs in delivering secure, accessible, and user-centered digital services across websites, mobile applications, and communication platforms to better serve the public, emergency managers, and disaster survivors. This effort encompasses end-to-end design, development, content management, analytics, and continuous improvement of FEMA’s digital ecosystem to ensure consistent, high-quality customer experiences aligned with federal standards and mission needs.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy native mobile applications supporting FEMA digital services, ensuring alignment with federal digital experience standards and IDEA requirements
• Develop and maintain mobile applications using technologies such as Java, JavaScript, and open-source mobile frameworks, integrating with backend systems built on Ruby-on-Rails, PHP, and MySQL
• Perform full-stack development activities, including front-end mobile interfaces and backend service integration to support dynamic, data-driven applications
• Support all phases of the Systems Engineering Life Cycle (SELC), including requirements analysis, design, development, testing, deployment, and documentation
• Conduct routine maintenance, including implementing security patches, resolving defects, and ensuring compliance with DHS/FEMA cybersecurity and vulnerability remediation requirements
• Develop and execute comprehensive test plans, including functional, regression, and Section 508 accessibility testing for mobile applications
• Collaborate with UX/CX teams to implement human-centered design principles and ensure consistent, accessible, and user-friendly mobile experiences
• Integrate mobile applications with cloud-based environments (e.g., AWS), APIs, analytics platforms, and third-party systems to enable scalable and data-informed services
• Utilize ticketing systems and agile practices to manage development tasks, provide status updates, and support continuous delivery pipelines
• Monitor mobile application performance and user behavior, providing recommendations for optimization and improved customer experience
• Ensure compliance with Section 508, W3C, and federal accessibility and usability standards across all mobile solutions
• Provide surge support during disaster operations, including rapid development, troubleshooting, and deployment of mobile capabilities as needed
• Other relevant duties as assigned and qualified/trained to perform

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field
• Minimum 8 years of experience as a full-stack developer, including demonstrated experience developing native mobile applications for iOS and Android
• Proven experience developing native mobile applications using Java, JavaScript, React Native and Ionic, along with backend technologies such as Ruby-on-Rails, PHP, and MySQL
• Demonstrated experience managing and supervising cross-functional Agile development teams
• Demonstrated experience working within the Federal Government contracting environment, supporting DHS IT programs
• Strong experience with mobile application architecture, API integration, and cloud-based environments (e.g., AWS)
• Experience supporting mobile applications through the full Systems Engineering Life Cycle (SELC), including documentation and ATO-related artifacts
• Proven ability to implement secure coding practices and support compliance with federal cybersecurity requirements
• Experience developing and executing test plans, including accessibility (Section 508) and regression testing
• Familiarity with Drupal and integration with mobile applications
• Experience working in Agile or DevSecOps environments, using ticketing and collaboration tools
• Knowledge of human-centered design (HCD) and ability to collaborate with UX/UI teams to deliver high-quality user experiences
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance