Lead Developer

Bixal•Fairfax, VA

5h•$135,000 - $145,000•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking a senior Lead Developer who will lead engineering on a Drupal and React platform hosted on Acquia, direct development of new datasets, interactive tools, and dashboards, and keep the platform secure, accessible, FISMA-compliant, and highly available. Beyond day-to-day delivery, this role will lead the platform's modernization, including evaluating and executing a hosting and CDN migration and consolidating other data websites onto the platform. This is a full-time position contingent on contract award. This role offers you a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a project that aligns with Bixal’s mission of delivering innovative, human-centered solutions. While the role has a fixed duration, we are committed to transparency and collaboration, keeping you informed about contract updates and new opportunities. At Bixal, we support your professional journey, ensuring your experience reflects our inclusive, purpose-driven culture and prepares you for future success.

Requirements

Bacehlor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field or equivalent combination of educationa and experience.
At least 10 years of Drupal development, including a minimum of 3 years integrating React front-ends with Drupal backends via JSON:API
At least 8 years of overall web development, including a minimum of 4 years of experience each with React, custom Drupal module development, Acquia-hosted environments, and SQLite/MySQL
Subject matter expertise in open data standards, Drupal engineering, React engineering, and Agile SDLC
Familiarity with CDN technologies, including Akamai and alternative CDN platforms
Experience with cloud hosting and the ability to assess, plan, and execute hosting migrations
Experience overseeing development, testing, and validation (functional, performance, security, accessibility)
Experience with Section 508-compliant web development
Demonstrated experience maintaining a secure, FISMA-compliant codebase
Familiarity with CMS Authority to Operate (ATO) processes
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a favorable Public Trust clearance in support of a federal government contract.

Responsibilities

Serve as technical authority for the Drupal and React platform, including JSON:API integration, custom Drupal modules, and the SQLite and MySQL data layers.
Maintain Acquia hosting, the Akamai CDN, and current integrations, and recommend how to apply platform vendor updates.
Lead technical design and development of new data products, interactive tools, dashboards, and features.
Build Drupal role-based access controls and self-service tools so data owners can publish and edit their own content.
Provide secure APIs and data exchange mechanisms for external systems and third-party use.
Manage release management, including emergency out-of-cycle releases to production.
Oversee functional, performance, security, accessibility, and user acceptance testing.
Ensure Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA compliance, with zero unresolved critical accessibility defects in production.
Maintain a secure, FISMA-compliant codebase, running static and dynamic security scans and fixing all critical and high vulnerabilities before release.
Maintain the ATO and its security documentation in CFACTS, coordinating with the CMS ISSO.
Own monitoring, incident response, and disaster recovery.
Lead the technical analysis and execution of the hosting and CDN migration.
Lead data migration and system integration for the website consolidation.
Lead technical knowledge transfer with the incumbent and ensure every release ships with complete technical documentation.
Other relevant duties as assigned and qualified/trained to perform.