Senior/Staff Software Engineer (ACF)

Skylight

40d•$150,000 - $203,000•Remote

About The Position

At Skylight, software engineers design, implement, and maintain software systems to improve government services for users. This software is built to meet the needs of regular users of government services as well as Skylight’s partners in government. In this role, you’ll work closely with Skylight and ACF teammates — including designers, researchers, product managers, and engineers — to build modern web applications that improve public services. You’ll create secure, data-driven systems, integrate emerging technologies where appropriate, and help ACF develop the skills, practices, and tools needed to sustain its digital transformation.

Requirements

Experience developing modern web applications using React, Vue, or Svelte with component-driven design
Experience building and maintaining backend systems using Python, .NET, Java, or Ruby
Proficiency in JavaScript/TypeScript, CSS, and modern frontend architectures
Understanding of state management, asynchronous data fetching, and API integration (REST or GraphQL)
Experience working in cloud environments such as AWS (e.g., S3, CloudFront, API Gateway)
Familiarity with event-driven or service-based architectures
Ability to design and implement interactive, data-rich UIs (e.g., filters, tagging, dashboards)
Experience integrating AI- or ML-driven features such as search, summarization, or text tagging
Knowledge of secure software development practices and mitigating common vulnerabilities
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines (e.g., AWS Amplify or similar)
Strong collaboration skills with cross-functional teams (design, research, product, and engineering)
Ability to work successfully within a professional services environment (e.g., can communicate effectively with clients)
Passionate about creating better public outcomes through great government services
A mindset and work approach that aligns with our core values
Ability to travel for work from time to time
All work must be conducted within the U.S., excluding U.S. territories.
Some federal contracts require U.S. citizenship to be eligible for employment.
You must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. now and in the future without sponsorship.
As a government contractor, you will be required to obtain a Tier 4 public trust or security clearance.
You may be required to complete a company background check successfully.
Some of our available roles are on federal contracts that require a degree or additional years of experience as a substitute.

Nice To Haves

Experience using AWS hosting and build services such as CloudFront, S3, Amplify, or Cognito
Familiarity with data visualization frameworks (e.g., D3.js, Plotly, Chart.js)
Experience designing natural language interfaces (e.g., search, tagging, annotation tools)
Experience contributing to accessibility-first or government digital service projects
Understanding of performance optimization, observability, and continuous delivery best practices
Familiarity with role-based authentication and identity management
Prior experience working in the civic tech space
Experience working in a remote-team environment

Responsibilities

Build and maintain modern web applications that help ACF deliver high-impact digital services
Collaborate with cross-functional teams — including designers, researchers, and product managers — to translate user and business needs into scalable technical solutions
Develop robust backend systems and APIs while delivering dynamic, accessible, and performant frontend interfaces
Integrate AI and ML capabilities where they enhance usability or automation
Apply lean-agile engineering principles such as API-first design, version control, automated testing, and continuous integration
Identify and address technical debt, performance issues, and opportunities for improvement
Choose the right tools, frameworks, and technologies for the job, with a preference for open-source solutions
Support maintainable, secure, and compliant development practices through documentation, code review, and knowledge sharing

Benefits

Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance
Short-term and long-term disability insurance
Life and AD&D insurance
Dependent care FSA, healthcare FSA, health savings account
Dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match up to 10% of your salary with no vesting period
Flexible paid time-off-policy (generally around 25 days per year), plus 11 paid federal holidays
Up to 12 weeks paid-time-off for all eligible new birth, adoption, or foster parents
Performance rewards, including annual salary increase, annual performance bonus, spot bonuses, and stock options
Business development / sales bonuses
Referral bonuses
Annual $2,000 allowance for professional development
Annual $750 allowance for tech-related purchases
Annual swag budget of $100 to display your Skylight pride with some merchandise (hoodies, hats, and more)
Dollar-for-dollar charity donation matching, up to $500 per year
Flexible, remote-friendly work environment
An environment that empowers you to unleash your superpowers for public good