Lead Accessibility Engineer

Here at Appian, our core values of Respect, Work to Impact, Ambition, and Constructive Dissent & Resolution define who we are. In short, this means we constantly seek to understand the best for our customers, we go beyond completion in our work, we strive for excellence with intensity, and we embrace candid communication. These values guide our actions and shape our culture every day.  When you join Appian, you'll be part of a passionate team that's dedicated to accomplishing hard things.

We are seeking a highly skilled and passionate Lead Accessibility Engineer to join our team and drive our commitment to an accessible low-code software development platform. This role will be instrumental in ensuring our products are inclusive and usable by people with disabilities. The ideal candidate is willing to dive into the details and take initiatives. They bring a deep understanding of accessibility standards, guidelines, and tools, as well as experience in developing and implementing accessibility best practices within a software development environment.

This role is based at our ​h​eadquarters in ​McLean, Virginia. Appian was built on a culture of in-person collaboration, which we believe is a key driver of our mission to be the best. Employees hired for this position are expected to be in the office 5 days a week to foster that culture and ensure we continue to thrive through shared ideas and teamwork. We believe being in the office provides more opportunities to come together and celebrate working with the exceptional people across Appian. 

Responsibilities

• Customer Interaction: Build strong relationships with customers to understand their accessibility needs and challenges. Collaborate with customer-facing teams to resolve accessibility issues and provide guidance on accessibility best practices.

• Accessibility Process Development: Develop and implement comprehensive accessibility processes and guidelines for product development, including design, development, testing, and release. Ensure adherence to accessibility standards and regulations.

• Technical Guidance: Provide technical expertise and guidance on accessibility to product managers, UX developers, software developers, and quality engineers. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate accessibility into the product development lifecycle.

• VPAT Maintenance: Oversee the creation, maintenance, and accuracy of the platform's Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), ensuring it aligns with current accessibility standards and product features.

• Accessibility Awareness: Promote general accessibility awareness within the organization through training, workshops, and presentations. Foster a culture of accessibility and inclusion.  Ensure organizational awareness and understanding of evolving accessibility legislation.

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

• Proven experience in accessibility engineering with a strong understanding of WCAG, Section 508, ADA, and other relevant accessibility standards.

• Practical and direct experience with accessibility testing tools and techniques and assistive technologies such as screen readers, speech recognition, screen magnifiers and alternative input devices.

• Practical knowledge of no-code or low-code development platforms and their accessibility implications.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Ability to translate complex technical information into clear and understandable terms for non-technical audiences.

• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to drive accessibility initiatives.

• Experience with automated accessibility testing tools and frameworks.

• Certifications in accessibility.

Tools and Resources 

• Training and Development: During onboarding, we focus on equipping new hires with the skills and knowledge for success through department-specific training. Continuous learning is a central focus at Appian, with dedicated mentorship and the First-Friend program being widely utilized resources for new hires. 
• Growth Opportunities: Appian provides a diverse array of growth and development opportunities, including our leadership program tailored for new and aspiring managers, a comprehensive library of specialized department training through Appian University, skills based training, and tuition reimbursement for those aiming to advance their education. This commitment ensures that employees have access to a holistic range of development opportunities.