Software Engineer (Full Stack)

Bixal•Fairfax, VA

3d•$85,000 - $105,000

About The Position

Bixal is seeking a skilled and collaborative Full-Stack Software Engineer to support the development and maintenance of a digital services platform for a federal government client. In this role, you will contribute to a mission-driven effort to modernize and improve how government delivers services to the public, working across the full stack with a primary focus on Python-based backend development using Django and Wagtail, while also supporting frontend work and automated testing. You will work closely with a tech lead, product manager, and fellow engineers in an Agile delivery environment, bringing strong technical judgment, a commitment to code quality, and a collaborative spirit to every sprint. This is a full-time position contingent on contract award by our client, with a defined performance period of one year with two one-year option periods. 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

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, plus at least 3 years of professional software development experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience (6 years without degree).
Proficiency in Python and hands-on experience building applications with Django, including ORM usage, middleware, and RESTful API development.
Experience with Wagtail CMS, including content modeling, page types, stream fields, and admin customization.
Working knowledge of frontend technologies including JavaScript (ES6+), CSS, and Sass/SCSS.
Experience writing and maintaining automated tests, with familiarity with Cypress or a comparable end-to-end testing framework.
Expertise with version control using Git and collaborative development workflows (pull requests, branching strategies, code review).
Understanding of web accessibility standards (Section 508, WCAG 2.1) and experience developing accessible web applications.
Experience working in Agile/Scrum delivery teams, with comfort operating in iterative, fast-paced project environments.
Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to write clean, maintainable code.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, with experience collaborating across cross-functional teams.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing applications for federal government clients or in a federal consulting environment.
Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Cloud.gov) and containerization tools such as Docker or Kubernetes.
Experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices in government or compliance-driven environments.
Knowledge of FISMA compliance, FedRAMP, or other federal security frameworks.
Exposure to Section 508 testing tools (e.g., WAVE, ANDI) and assistive technologies.

Responsibilities

Backend Development
Design, develop, and maintain backend features using Python, Django, and Wagtail CMS
Build maintainable features using Django’s model-view-template architecture and Stimulus controllers to support interactive form and admin workflows.
Build and maintain RESTful APIs and data models that power the platform's core services.
Write clean, testable, and well-documented code in accordance with team standards and government security requirements.
Participate in code reviews and contribute to architectural decisions and technical documentation.
Identify and resolve performance bottlenecks, bugs, and technical debt.
Frontend Support
Implement accessible, responsive user interfaces using JavaScript, Angular/Typescript, StimulusJS, Sass/SCSS.
Ensure frontend implementations comply with accessibility standards (Section 508, WCAG 2.1).
Contribute to a shared component library and maintain design-to-code consistency across the platform.
Testing & Quality Assurance
Support and contribute to the automated end-to-end testing suite built with Cypress.
Write and maintain unit and integration tests as part of the development workflow.
Participate in QA activities including defect triage, regression testing, peer code reviews, and release validation.
Support package security management by reviewing dependency updates, monitoring automated security scans, and maintaining a secure, up-to-date application.
Collaboration & Delivery
Participate actively in Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, standups, retrospectives, and backlog grooming.
Collaborate cross-functionally with product owners, developers, and stakeholders to deliver high-quality digital services.
Communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders and contribute to project documentation.
Other relevant duties as assigned, as trained and qualified to perform.