NLM Software Developer

Ripple Effect•Rockville, MD

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Ripple Effect is seeking a highly skilled Software Developer with 6+ years of experience to support the National Library of Medicine (NLM), a global leader in biomedical research and data science. This role involves designing and developing secure, scalable software solutions for cutting-edge biomedical research and high-performance computing environments. The Software Developer will contribute to the full software development lifecycle, from analysis and design to testing and deployment, driving innovation in public health and scientific discovery. The position supports NLM's mission to accelerate biomedical discovery and improve public health through data-powered research, involving full lifecycle software development in a multidisciplinary environment, and contributing to the design, implementation, and maintenance of advanced biomedical applications and tools. Ripple Effect offers a diverse and engaging work environment with incentives and flexible work options.

Requirements

High School Diploma
6 years of relevant professional experience, or a combination of education and experience that is equivalent to nine years
Experience in full lifecycle software development
Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, Java, JavaScript, R, and scripting languages (e.g., Bash).
Experience with databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and ElasticSearch.
Familiarity with development tools and environments including Jupyter Notebooks, GitHub, GitLab, and CI/CD pipelines.
Strong understanding of software engineering principles, design patterns, and best practices.
Experience working in Agile/Scrum development environments.
Excellent problem-solving, communication, and documentation skills.
Ability to pay attention to details
Ability to clearly communicate
Ability to work independently
Eagerness to learn

Nice To Haves

Experience in biomedical, clinical, or scientific computing domains.
Knowledge of AI/ML frameworks and tools (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, NLP libraries).
Familiarity with cloud-native development and container orchestration (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
Strong understanding of Section 508 compliance and accessibility standards.
Previous experience with NIH, especially NLM
Additional Years of Experience and/or advanced degree

Responsibilities

Analyze and Design Complex Systems: Conduct in-depth analysis of scientific and operational requirements to design robust, scalable, and secure software systems.
Develop detailed technical specifications and architectural plans that align with NIH/NLM research objectives and infrastructure standards.
Design, implement, and maintain software applications across diverse environments including Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, and web-based platforms.
Ensure cross-platform compatibility and performance optimization.
Full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Participation: Engage in all phases of the SDLC—from requirements gathering and system design to coding, testing, deployment, and long-term maintenance.
Apply Agile and DevSecOps methodologies to ensure iterative delivery and continuous improvement.
Collaborative Solution Engineering: Work closely with interdisciplinary teams of researchers, data scientists, clinicians, and IT professionals to develop software that supports biomedical research, clinical data analytics, and public health initiatives.
Performance and Usability Optimization: Refactor and enhance existing software systems to improve speed, reliability, scalability, and user experience.
Implement responsive design and user-centered development practices.
Security, Accessibility and Compliance: Ensure all software adheres to federal cybersecurity standards including FISMA and FedRAMP.
Implement secure coding practices, conduct vulnerability assessments, and support the development of System Security Plans (SSPs) and Authority to Operate (ATO) documentation.
Design and develop software that meets Section 508 accessibility standards and NIH/NLM usability guidelines.
Conduct accessibility testing and remediation as needed.
Documentation and Knowledge Sharing: Produce comprehensive technical documentation including system architecture diagrams, API references, user manuals, and training materials.
Contribute to internal knowledge bases and support onboarding of new team members.