NLM Software Engineer I

Lexical Intelligence, LLC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Lexical Intelligence provides software and services related to processing large-scale biomedical information sources. Our Natural Language Processing (NLP) and analytics software is used by policy and decision makers to evaluate and prioritize current and emerging areas of research. We are looking for a Software Engineer I to work within the National Library of Medicine (NLM), Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC), Bethesda, MD. The Software Engineer I will have experience in software development, application design and testing, and web-based interface development. The Software Engineer I will have a firm understanding of modern programming languages, software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies, and secure coding practices. The Software Engineer I shall be able to work well within a team of multidisciplinary researchers, DevOps engineers, data scientists, and biomedical informatics professionals. The selected applicant will be subject to a pre-employment background and reference check.

Requirements

2+ years of relevant software development or engineering experience
Bachelor's degree or other degree(s) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or related fields
Proficiency in one or more programming languages including Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, R, or SQL
Familiarity with software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies, including design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance
Experience with or exposure to web-based application development, including responsive and RESTful design principles
Basic understanding of secure coding best practices as directed by US-CERT standards and OWASP guidelines
Familiarity with version control systems such as Git, GitHub, or GitLab
Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences
Must be authorized to work in the United States and able to obtain a Public Trust background investigation clearance

Nice To Haves

Experience with additional programming languages or environments including Matlab, SAS, ETL, MySQL, MongoDB, Jupyter Notebooks, or shell scripting
Familiarity with AI, Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Natural Language Processing (NLP), or Image Processing (IP) concepts and tools
Exposure to cloud computing platforms such as Google Cloud (GC), Amazon Web Services (AWS), or Microsoft Azure, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS configurations
Experience with containerization and orchestration tools such as Docker or Kubernetes
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing environments
Experience with Section 508 accessibility compliance standards and web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.0)
Familiarity with Agile and Scrum project management frameworks
Experience developing applications for Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, or mobile/handheld environments
Exposure to emerging AI tools such as ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot
Familiarity with federal IT security frameworks including FISMA and NIST standards

Responsibilities

Participate in all phases of the software development lifecycle, including inception, analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance of software applications and tools
Perform software analysis, design, development, testing, and maintenance primarily in Linux environments, with work also spanning Windows, MacOS, Android, web-based, and mobile platforms
Develop applications using programming languages and environments including C++, Python, Java, JavaScript, R, Matlab, SAS, ETL, SQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and Jupyter Notebooks, with openness to adopting additional languages as the technical landscape evolves
Contribute to the design and development of web-based and user interfaces based on user needs analyses, design prototyping, and evaluation using graphic design, data visualization, and user-centered design techniques
Ensure all developed interfaces meet Section 508 compliance requirements and relevant design standards such as Responsive and RESTful design
Collaborate with NLM's Research Computing and Data Science Support teams, including the Office of Computer and Communications Systems (OCCS) and LHNCBC's Scientific Computing Branch (SCB), to ensure systems comply with security policies
Ensure developed system architectures are secure, extensible, and able to integrate with existing internal or external systems
Ensure that all developed software is thoroughly documented for internal and external users and future maintenance purposes
Leverage commercial cloud computing services (GC, AWS, Azure) to make tools publicly available, working across IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and CI/CD configurations
Utilize managed cloud services including container orchestration, object and document stores, SQL databases, message brokers, and search engines
Conduct software testing and quality control employing automated testing environments and configuration management best practices
Provide support for projects and initiatives across disciplines including clinical research, biology, computational biology, data and computer science, AI, ML, DL, NLP, and program management
Assist in the design and implementation of AI and other technology projects for the Center for Clinical Observational Investigations
Document technical project requirements and track development timelines, identifying and coordinating internal and external dependencies
Assist in generating status updates for management, keeping stakeholders informed of progress, changes to project plans, and potential issues using appropriate communication channels
Participate as a team member in resource analysis, design, estimation, development, testing, and maintenance activities
Utilize Agile and Scrum project management frameworks to ensure project deliverables are met within defined timelines, including use of tools such as JIRA and Confluence Wiki
Follow secure coding best practices as directed by US-CERT standards and OWASP guidelines to limit system software vulnerability exploits
Ensure IT applications are designed and developed to run in standard user context without requiring elevated administrative privileges
Ensure all developed software is fully functional and operates correctly on systems configured in accordance with government policy and federal configuration standards, including testing with all relevant updates and patches prior to installation in the HHS environment
Comply with all HHS/NIH information security policies, including completing mandatory annual security awareness, privacy, and records management training
Adhere to HHS Rules of Behavior and the NLM Policy on Health-Related Data About Individuals, including signing required non-disclosure agreements prior to performing work
Report all suspected or confirmed information security incidents or breaches to the NIH Incident Response Team within one (1) hour of discovery
Protect sensitive information including PII, PHI, and proprietary data in accordance with FIPS 140-2/140-3 validated encryption standards