Full Stack Developer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory • Laurel, MD

3d

About The Position

The Full Stack Developer will join APL’s Human Machine Engineering team to rapidly prototype Command and Control systems. The multidisciplinary team works on end-to-end human systems and performance engineering to bridge gaps in human-machine warfighting teams in information-dense, high-stakes environments and operationalize warfighter-augmenting capabilities.

The role involves designing, developing, and deploying databases, backend APIs, and user-interface applications using modern architectures and software engineering practices. The developer will lead implementation of approved solution designs; maintain, test, debug, optimize, and improve production software; establish software quality standards; and produce and maintain technical documentation. The position also builds agentic AI workflows to improve development processes while maintaining security controls and human oversight. It includes technical leadership and managing or mentoring software developers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Web Development, or 5+ years of experience and responsibilities related to full-stack implementation for a complex system; military system experience preferred.
• Experience with full-stack web development, game development, and/or application development.
• Experience working in a team environment focused on rapid prototyping.
• Ability to work independently and with government, DoD sponsors, and analysis teams.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to obtain a SECRET-level security clearance; eligibility requires U.S. citizenship.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% as needed.

Nice To Haves

• React experience.
• Active Secret clearance or above.
• Master’s degree in Information Visualization, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Web Development, Game Development, Human Computer Interaction, or equivalent.
• At least 10 years of experience related to software development for Navy ship defense systems, with practical experience in Cyber, Radar, Surface Electronic Warfare, Mission Planning Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS), and/or Aegis Combat System.
• Practical experience with coding languages, tools, and libraries such as Unity, Python, C++, Java, JavaScript, HTML, CSS/Sass/Less, React, Redux, Angular, Vue, Bootstrap, Material UI, Git, GitLab, Atlassian, JIRA, SQL, SQLite, MongoDB, Google Analytics, and Docker.

Responsibilities

• Rapidly design, develop, and deploy databases, backend APIs, and user-interface applications using modern architectures, tools, and software engineering practices.
• Lead implementation of approved solution designs; maintain, test, debug, optimize, and continuously improve production software throughout its lifecycle.
• Establish and uphold software quality standards through code reviews, automated testing, secure development practices, CI/CD processes, and technical debt management.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation, including code frameworks, system architecture, design decisions, API specifications, deployment procedures, and user guides.
• Build and integrate agentic AI workflows to improve requirements analysis, documentation, code review, testing, defect triage, and developer productivity, while maintaining appropriate security controls and human oversight.
• Provide technical leadership and manage or mentor a team of software developers by setting technical direction, assigning and reviewing work, supporting professional development, and ensuring delivery of high-quality software.

Benefits

• Robust education assistance program.
• Retirement contributions and plans.
• Work/life balance and paid time off.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Training and development.
• Potential sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior