NLM Software Engineer II

Lexical Intelligence, LLC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Software Engineer II 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 II to work within the National Library of Medicine (NLM), Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC), Bethesda, MD. The Software Engineer II will have experience in full-stack software development, cloud-based application deployment, and biomedical informatics technology solutions. The Software Engineer II will have a firm understanding of advanced programming languages and frameworks, software architecture design, AI/ML integration, and federal security compliance requirements. The Software Engineer II shall be able to work well within a team of multidisciplinary researchers, DevOps engineers, data scientists, clinical informaticists, and biomedical informatics professionals. The selected applicant will be subject to a pre-employment background and reference check.

Requirements

5+ 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
Demonstrated proficiency in multiple programming languages including Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, R, or SQL, with experience developing in Linux environments
Hands-on experience with full software development lifecycle (SDLC) activities including inception, analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance
Experience with web-based and user interface development, including responsive design, RESTful APIs, and user-centered design techniques
Working knowledge of cloud computing platforms such as Google Cloud (GC), Amazon Web Services (AWS), or Microsoft Azure, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS configurations
Experience implementing secure coding best practices in accordance with US-CERT standards and OWASP guidelines
Familiarity with Agile and Scrum project management frameworks and associated tools such as JIRA and Confluence
Experience with version control systems such as Git, GitHub, or GitLab
Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to document technical work clearly for internal and external 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 AI, Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Natural Language Processing (NLP), or Image Processing (IP) development and integration
Proficiency with additional programming tools and environments including Matlab, SAS, ETL, MySQL, MongoDB, Jupyter Notebooks, shell scripting, ChatGPT, or GitHub Copilot
Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes
Familiarity with CI/CD pipeline implementation and administration using tools such as GitLab, GitHub Actions, or equivalent platforms
Experience with managed cloud services including container orchestration, object and document stores, SQL databases, message brokers, and search engines
Experience developing applications for multiple operating environments including Windows, MacOS, Android, and mobile/handheld platforms
Familiarity with Section 508 accessibility compliance standards and WCAG 2.0 Level A and AA success criteria
Experience supporting federal IT security frameworks including FISMA and NIST SP 800-53 or NIST SP 800-171
Experience with biomedical, clinical, or health informatics projects or research environments
Familiarity with FISMA-moderate information systems and secure handling of PII, PHI, and other sensitive health-related data

Responsibilities

Lead and participate in all phases of the software development lifecycle, including inception, analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance of software applications, tools, and platforms
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 and solutions using programming languages and environments including C++, Python, Java, JavaScript, R, Matlab, SAS, ETL, SQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and Jupyter Notebooks, adopting additional languages as the technical landscape and programmatic needs evolve
Lead 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 adhere to relevant design standards such as Responsive and RESTful design principles
Collaborate closely 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 are compliant with applicable security policies
Design and ensure that system architectures are secure, extensible, and capable of integrating with existing internal or external systems
Ensure that all developed software is comprehensively documented for internal and external users and for 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 effectively, including container orchestration, object and document stores, SQL databases, message brokers, and search engines
Conduct and lead software testing and quality control activities employing automated testing environments and configuration management best practices
Provide technical expertise and support for projects spanning disciplines including clinical research, biology, computational biology, data and computer science, AI, ML, DL, NLP, and program management
Contribute to the design and implementation of AI and other technology projects for the Center for Clinical Observational Investigations, including developing and integrating ML, DL, and NLP models into production systems
Document technical project requirements, define and track development timelines, and identify and coordinate internal and external dependencies
Generate and present status updates for upper management, keeping stakeholders informed of progress, project plan changes, and potential issues through appropriate communication channels
Create and manage action plans for product development, translating user feedback into business requirements and development plans
Prepare materials to publicize product features to the user community, solicit feedback, and incorporate findings into development planning
Participate actively as a team member in resource analysis, design, estimation, development, testing, and maintenance activities
Apply Agile and Scrum project management frameworks to ensure project deliverables are met within defined timelines, including effective use of JIRA, Confluence Wiki, and related tools
Implement and enforce 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, testing all relevant updates and patches prior to installation in the HHS environment
Protect sensitive information including PII, PHI, and proprietary data in accordance with FIPS 140-2/140-3 validated encryption standards, ensuring no sensitive data is used during software testing
Conduct research and applied research activities using modern methodologies, including user surveys, stakeholder interviews, and usability tests; create and deliver records and notes collected while executing tasks
Ensure outputs are compliant with HHS, NIH, NLM, and LHNCBC security and operational policies throughout all phases of development and delivery
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