
Senior Software Engineer
Unissant · Ashburn, VA
About this role
The Senior Software Engineer will provide technical leadership for application engineering, cloud integration, and platform operations for FEMA's AI portfolio. Responsibilities include leading the architecture, design, and deployment of full-stack AI applications, including RAG/chatbot and predictive-analytics solutions. The technical environment utilizes the PERN stack (PostgreSQL, Express.js, React, and Node.js) and Terraform for infrastructure-as-code. The engineer will collaborate with AI engineers, data scientists, and cybersecurity personnel to deliver secure, scalable, and Section 508 compliant capabilities. The role involves maintaining CI/CD pipelines, observability, and technical documentation within a cloud-hosted environment.
Skills & technologies
Must have
- PostgreSQL
- Express.js
- React
- Node.js
- Terraform
- CI/CD
- Git
- DevSecOps
- Software Architecture
- API
- Section 508
Nice to have
- Cloud certification
- DevSecOps certification
- Agile certification
- Accessibility certification
- Software Architecture certification
Read full description
We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join our team and support our client, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This is a remote position.
The ideal candidate is a senior full-stack engineer who will provide technical leadership for application engineering, cloud integration, and platform operations across FEMA's AI portfolio. This individual will build, integrate, modernize, and sustain user-facing and back-end AI services that meet FEMA security, accessibility, performance, and operational requirements.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Lead the architecture, design, development, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment of full-stack AI applications.
- Build user interfaces, APIs, middleware, data services, and back-end components for RAG/chatbot, document-processing, predictive-analytics, and enterprise-automation solutions.
- Apply PERN-stack engineering practices using PostgreSQL, Express.js, React, and Node.js; use Terraform for infrastructure-as-code where applicable.
- Establish and maintain CI/CD pipelines, source-control practices, automated testing, environment promotion, and observability across FEMA-approved AI platforms.
- Conduct system analysis, performance engineering, debugging, root-cause analysis, and technical-debt remediation.
- Ensure user-facing deliverables comply with Section 508; support accessibility test plans, test results, and Accessibility Conformance Reports as required.
- Develop and maintain architecture diagrams, build and operating plans, interface specifications, security artifacts, user guides, and technical documentation.
- Collaborate with AI engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity personnel, product owners, and program stakeholders to deliver secure, scalable, production-ready capabilities.
- Five (5) to ten (10) years of experience in full-stack software engineering, application architecture, cloud engineering, DevSecOps, or related technical disciplines.
- Demonstrated experience with relational databases, modern web frameworks, Agile/Scrum delivery, software architecture, and system integration.
- Proficiency with PERN-stack technologies or comparable modern full-stack technologies; Terraform; CI/CD; git-based code management; and observability tools.
- Experience designing accessible user interfaces and testing web applications for Section 508 conformance.
- Experience building secure, maintainable, scalable applications and integrating cloud-hosted services, APIs, and enterprise data systems.
- Strong technical leadership, documentation, troubleshooting, performance-engineering, and collaboration skills.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related technical field required.
- Cloud, DevSecOps, agile, accessibility, software architecture, or relevant technical certification preferred.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain architecture, technical risks, accessibility considerations, and solution tradeoffs to technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Ability to write clear, concise content and manage sensitive information in a highly confidential manner.
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Favorably adjudicated FEMA Public Trust suitability is required before the employee's start date.
- Must comply with DHS/FEMA training, safeguarding, and access-control requirements applicable to FOUO/SBU information and assigned systems.
- This is a remote position. Travel may be required based on client and business needs.
- Mainly a routine office environment.
- May be required to lift up to ten (10) pounds.
- Flexible in working extended hours as needed.
Please note: Candidate(s) will be required to go through pre-employment screening.
Unissant, Inc. is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer! (EOE; M/F/Disability/Vets)
Job Posted by ApplicantPro