Senior/Software Engineer (Tech Modernization)

Nava PBC

4d•$135,900 - $153,000•Remote

About The Position

Nava is a consultancy and public benefit corporation working to make government services simple and effective. Since 2015, federal, state, and local agencies have trusted Nava to help solve highly scrutinized technology modernization challenges. As a client services company, we guide agencies constrained by legacy systems to a future with sharp user experiences built on secure, reliable, fault-tolerant cloud infrastructure. We bill for our time, offering our expertise and problem-solving approach to help our government partners enhance their digital products and services. People are at the heart of our work, from members of the public who rely on benefit programs to government agency staff. Through human-centered design and modern engineering best practices, we help our government partners understand user needs and deliver on their missions more effectively. This focus gives everyone at Nava the opportunity to do work that is meaningful, impactful, and deeply connected to public good. This role is open for multiple levels and titles. Final title/compensation will be determined by how your interview weighs against our core competencies during your interview cycle. As a Legacy Lockpicks Engineer, you will help define and build innovative approaches to legacy system modernization. You will work across the modernization lifecycle, from understanding complex legacy applications to designing migration strategies, validating replacement systems, and developing tools that accelerate modernization efforts. This role is ideal for a full-stack engineer who enjoys solving difficult technical problems, rapidly prototyping new ideas, and exploring how emerging technologies can be applied to real-world modernization challenges. You do not need to be a generative AI expert, but you should be excited to learn and experiment in a fast-moving space.

Requirements

Ability to quickly learn new technologies, patterns, and concepts
Strong knowledge of legacy system modernization and migration patterns
Experience integrating with, modernizing, or migrating legacy systems
Experience refactoring, maintaining, or extending complex full-stack applications using a variety of frameworks and technologies
Proven ability to rapidly prototype concepts to validate technical feasibility and identify implementation risks
Ability to work independently and turn loosely defined ideas into functional software solutions
Strong problem-solving skills and comfort navigating ambiguity
Ability to influence stakeholders and build alignment within large organizations
Experience balancing experimentation with delivery of reliable, maintainable solutions
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Legal authorization to work in the United States
Ability to meet any other requirements for government contracts for which candidates are hired
Work authorization that doesn’t require visa sponsorship, now or in the future
May be subject to a government background check or security clearance, depending on the contract
This role requires you to work from the contiguous United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience applying generative AI technologies, agentic workflows, prompt engineering, or context management strategies
Familiarity with foundational concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning
Experience with Domain-Driven Design (DDD) concepts and patterns
Experience working on software for government agencies or other highly regulated environments
Experience applying Human-Centered Design (HCD) principles to software development
Familiarity with cloud-native architectures, APIs, event-driven systems, and modern software delivery practices

Responsibilities

Survey the technical landscape to identify the right tools, platforms, and technologies to accomplish modernization objectives
Develop solutions that leverage generative AI and traditional engineering approaches to understand legacy systems and their business rules
Build proofs of concept, prototypes, and demonstration applications that showcase modernization capabilities
Design and implement approaches for translating legacy systems into modern architectures and technology stacks
Develop solutions that reduce modernization risk by validating replacement applications and ensuring functional parity
Brainstorm and evaluate multiple approaches to complex technical problems, identifying trade-offs and risks
Experiment with new technologies and methodologies to rapidly identify successful patterns and limitations
Collaborate with engineering teams, subject matter experts, and government stakeholders to understand constraints and build support for modernization strategies
Create reusable patterns, playbooks, and processes that help teams modernize legacy systems more effectively
Support modernization efforts by applying tools and approaches to real-world client challenges

Benefits

Health coverage — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to support your overall health needs
Insurance coverage — Nava provides disability, life, and accidental death insurance at no cost
Time off — vacation, holidays (including Juneteenth), and floating holidays to rest and recharge
Company holidays — enjoy 12 paid federal holidays each year on top of your regular PTO
Annual bonus — when Nava meets its goals, eligible employees receive a performance-based annual bonus
Parental leave — paid time off for new parents, plus weekly meals delivered to your home
Wellness program — full platform offering physical, mental, & emotional health resources & support tools
Virtual care — see doctors online with no copay through UnitedHealthcare’s virtual visit program
Sabbatical leave — earn extended unpaid leave after continuous service for personal growth or rest
401(k) match — Nava matches 4% of your salary to support your retirement savings plan
Flexible work — remote-first environment with flexibility built around your schedule and responsibilities
Home office setup — company laptop & setup assistance provided via Staples for remote work needs
Utility support — monthly reimbursement to help offset eligible home office utility expenses
Learning opportunities — internal training programs and resources to help grow your professional skills
Development opportunities — LinkedIn Learning access & an annual allowance for courses, tuition, & certs
Referral bonus — get rewarded when you refer great people who join the Nava team
Commuter benefits — pre-tax commuter programs to support in-office travel when applicable
Supportive culture — A collaborative and remote-friendly team environment where people genuinely care