Senior Software Programmer

Job Family:

Software Development & Support

Travel Required:

Up to 10%

Clearance Required:

Active Top Secret (TS)

Overview

We’re seeking an experienced Senior Software Programmer to design, develop, and enhance applications that support mission‑critical programs across the Department of Justice (DOJ). In this role, you will work hands‑on with secure systems, collaborate with cross‑functional technical and mission teams, and contribute to the modernization of DOJ software platforms. You will be responsible for building reliable, secure, and maintainable code that enables DOJ components to operate efficiently and effectively in support of national justice and security priorities.

What You Will Do

• Design, program, test, and maintain secure, high‑quality software solutions supporting DOJ initiatives.
• Implement modular, scalable code using enterprise‑grade programming languages and frameworks.
• Develop and maintain RESTful APIs, backend services, and data integration workflows.
• Contribute to modernization efforts including containerization, refactoring, microservices adoption, and cloud migration.
• Implement automated build, test, and deployment pipelines using CI/CD tools.
• Ensure code and system compliance with RMF, STIG, FIPS 140‑2, and DOJ/IC security requirements.
• Participate in Agile/Scrum ceremonies and collaborate closely with product owners, analysts, testers, and mission stakeholders.
• Perform code reviews, improve coding standards, and contribute to technical design documentation.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues in secure environments, including SCIF‑based operations support.
• Deliver well‑tested, maintainable code aligned with DOJ mission objectives and long‑term sustainment goals.

What You Will Need

• U.S. Citizenship
• Active Top Secret (TS) Clearance with SCI or the ability to obtain SCI
• 8+ years of progressive software development/programming experience in secure, federal, or regulated environments.
• Strong proficiency in at least one backend language/framework:
  • Java/Spring Boot, .NET/C#, Python (FastAPI/Flask/Django), or Node.js (Express/Nest)
• Experience developing and consuming REST APIs and handling relational databases such as PostgreSQL or Oracle (queries, schema, performance tuning).
• Hands‑on experience with CI/CD tooling (GitLab CI, Jenkins, GitHub Actions) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes/OpenShift).
• Understanding of secure coding practices: authN/Z, secrets management, encryption, TLS/mTLS, OWASP Top 10.
• Familiarity with DOJ, IC, or DoD security frameworks including RMF documentation, STIG remediation, and compliance gates.
• Cloud experience with AWS GovCloud or Azure Government, including IaC (Terraform/CloudFormation).
• Strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills within cross‑functional mission‑focused teams.
• Education: BS in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent practical experience.

Nice to Have

• Experience supporting DOJ components (e.g., FBI, DEA, ATF, EOIR, BOP, USAO) or other federal law enforcement missions.
• Familiarity with data streaming/search tech: Kafka, Kinesis, Elasticsearch/OpenSearch, NiFi.
• Experience with observability and SecOps tooling: Splunk, CloudWatch, Prometheus/Grafana, SonarQube, ZAP, Trivy.
• Knowledge of federal standards: CJIS, NIEM, FISMA, FedRAMP High, Section 508.
• Experience with modern messaging systems (gRPC, GraphQL, RabbitMQ, SQS/SNS, EventBridge).
• Automated testing frameworks: JUnit, pytest, Cypress/Playwright, Pact.
• Identity/security integrations: OAuth2/OIDC, SAML, KMS/HSM, PKI, RBAC/ABAC.
• Experience with Red Hat OpenShift