Back-End Developer (part time)

We are seeking a seasoned, part-time Back-End Developer to play a pivotal role in scaling our technical capabilities and supporting public health initiatives. You will be responsible for architecting robust, secure, and accessible solutions for major federal health and science programs. Approximate commitment is 20 hours per week. Candidates located in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia (DMV) area are strongly preferred.

What You’ll Do

• Strategy & Technical Direction: Lead the technical roadmap for high-traffic public health websites, ensuring core web vitals, performance optimization, and scalable architecture.

• Security & FedRAMP Compliance: Proactively manage vulnerability scans and security configurations to maintain federal compliance. Assist in documentation required for system Security Assessment and Authorization (SA&A).

• Full-Cycle Development: Architect and maintain Drupal-based backend systems, including custom module development, Solr search integration, and complex API management.

• DevOps & Deployment: Manage multiple environments using Docker (DDEV) with automated testing and deployments to ensure seamless releases across dev, test, and production.

• Client Communication: Translate complex technical requirements and risks into actionable insights for non-technical government stakeholders.

Education, Skills and Experience

• Experience: 5+ years of engineering experience, with a proven track record in federal contracting (experience with HHS, NIH, or CDC preferred).

• Technical Core: Expert-level knowledge of Drupal (9/10+) and PHP. Strong experience with Solr search configuration and optimization.

• Tools: Proficiency with Git/GitHub, Docker and DDEV, GitHub Actions, Selenium and Playwright for testing, and managing services within AWS.

• Standards: Deep understanding of Section 508 accessibility requirements and federal security frameworks, including FedRAMP and NIST SP 800-series.

• Data: Experience managing and integrating large, diverse datasets while maintaining high standards for data privacy and security.