Senior Software Engineer

Skyward IT Solutions • Rockville, MD

5d

About The Position

Skyward is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to support CMS modernization by building scalable, AI-enabled enterprise systems that reduce manual effort, improve data accuracy, and enhance transparency. The role involves developing full-stack applications and intelligent services, with a focus on reliable, secure, and human-centered solutions that modernize how a large healthcare agency serves the public.

The engineer will lead backend development and contribute to architecture, technical roadmaps, and engineering practices. They will work closely with Human-Centered Design specialists and cross-functional product, customer experience, data science, and DevOps teams to align implementation with mission outcomes. The position emphasizes performance, observability, accessibility, automated quality practices, and identifying practical automation opportunities.

Skyward describes itself as a people-centered, collaborative civic technology business guided by integrity, compassion, inquisitiveness, unconventional thinking, and authenticity. It offers flexible working hours and remote opportunities. Employment offers are contingent on acceptable background investigation results, and applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 10+ years of progressive software engineering experience building and scaling production-grade applications.
• Strong backend expertise in Python and modern API frameworks such as FastAPI, Flask, or Django.
• Solid frontend experience with React or comparable modern JavaScript frameworks and component-driven development.
• Experience designing RESTful APIs and working with microservices architectures.
• Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines such as Jenkins, automated testing frameworks, and secure code deployment practices.
• Familiarity with AWS cloud environments and cloud-native development patterns.
• Experience integrating or supporting AI/ML-driven capabilities such as NLP, LLMs, or chatbots.
• Strong understanding of software design principles, clean architecture, and secure coding practices.
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proactive mindset, with initiative to identify and pursue improvements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance; employment is contingent upon acceptable background investigation results.

Nice To Haves

• Experience building or supporting AI-powered enterprise applications in regulated environments such as federal government or healthcare.
• Familiarity with MLOps workflows or integrating model APIs into production systems.
• Experience modernizing legacy enterprise systems into scalable cloud-native architectures.
• Knowledge of ethical AI considerations and regulatory requirements.
• Previous experience supporting CMS or other HHS agencies.

Responsibilities

• Support CMS modernization efforts by developing scalable, AI-enabled enterprise systems that reduce manual effort, improve data accuracy, and enhance transparency.
• Design, build, and scale full-stack applications using modern backend frameworks such as Python/FastAPI and frontend technologies such as React.
• Architect and implement RESTful APIs and microservices that support intelligent features using NLP and large language models.
• Collaborate with Human-Centered Design experts to deliver intuitive, responsive, and accessible user experiences.
• Lead backend development focused on performance optimization, observability, reliability, and clean architecture.
• Build and enhance CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, code quality enforcement, and secure deployments in cloud-native environments.
• Troubleshoot complex system issues, debug test failures, improve test coverage, and promote engineering quality across the team.
• Identify automation opportunities that reduce operational burden for end users and stakeholders.
• Contribute to architectural decisions, technical roadmaps, and engineering best practices.
• Partner with product, customer experience, data science, and DevOps teams to align technical implementation with mission outcomes.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 15 days of paid leave.
• 7 days of sick leave.
• 2 days of bereavement leave.
• 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Up to 40 hours for jury duty.
• 401(k) with a 4% employer contribution and no vesting period.
• Up to 4 weeks of paid paternity and maternity leave.
• Company-provided laptop.
• $5,000 per year for professional development.
• $600 per year for technical supplies and equipment.
• $2,000 referral bonus.
• Life and disability insurance.
• HSA and FSA.
• Legal Shield and ID Shield.
• Voluntary benefits.
• Flexible working hours and remote opportunities.
• Collaborative, motivated team focused on modernizing government services.

What This Job Offers

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