Lead Software Developer / System Architect

Location: Gaithersburg, Maryland (On-site)

Clearance: Must be eligible for a NIST site badge; U.S. Citizenship or permanent residency required

Job Type: Full-time

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Software Developer / System Architect to support the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) NanoFab in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This role provides critical software development, system architecture, and technical leadership for the CNST's suite of in-house laboratory management and research applications, including NEMO, SPM, and the Nanolithography Toolbox.

The ideal candidate is a senior-level software engineer with deep expertise in Python, Django, Java, and modern web frameworks, combined with a proven track record of leading complex development projects in a federal or research laboratory environment. This position requires strong technical leadership skills, the ability to architect scalable solutions, and experience managing the full software development lifecycle.

This is a non-personal services contract position. The contractor employee reports directly to the Prime Contractor for all human resources, disciplinary, and administrative matters, while receiving work direction and prioritization from CNST NanoFab management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of the NEMO laboratory logistics web application (Python, Django, Gunicorn)

• Oversee development and maintenance of the System for Project Management (SPM) (Java, Kotlin, Spring, JSP)

• Architect and guide the Nanolithography Toolbox (NT) development (Java, JavaFX)

• Design and implement new features and modules across all CNST applications

• Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code; implement unit and integration tests

• Conduct code reviews and ensure adherence to best practices and coding standards

• Package applications using Docker container infrastructure

• Architect and maintain REST APIs for system integration

• Ensure seamless integration between NEMO, SPM, NBS, Virtual Database, and other CNST systems

• Lead the technical direction of all software development activities

• Mentor and guide junior developers on the project team

• Participate in bi-weekly progress review meetings with CNST management

• Develop and maintain Project Plans using GitLab project management software

• Ensure deliverables are completed on schedule and meet quality standards

• Document all application changes and code updates in GitLab

• Implement and enforce code quality standards using SonarQube infrastructure

• Ensure all software meets NIST and DoC IT Security Policies (NIST SP 800-53 Moderate Impact controls)

• Maintain open-source GitHub and GitLab repositories; manage release versions and documentation

• Monitor community feedback from the NEMO Google Group

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)

• Minimum fifteen (15) years of software development and server administration experience

• Minimum five (5) years of specific experience in NEMO development; documented history of developing plugins and contributing to official or community edition NEMO repositories

• U.S. Citizenship or permanent residency required

• Must be able to obtain a NIST site badge; must pass criminal background check and fingerprinting

• Proficiency in Python, Java, Kotlin, HTML5, CSS, JS, XML, SQL

• Proficiency in Django, Flask, Java Spring Framework, JavaFX, JSP, Gunicorn

• Proficiency in Docker, Docker-Compose, Git, GitLab CI/CD, Ansible

• Proficiency in Oracle RDBMS, PostgreSQL; SQLDeveloper

• Proficiency in Maven, EclipseLink, Activiti Workflow, Birt Reports, Jetty Server

• Proficiency in SonarQube, Unit Testing, Integration Testing

• Proficiency in Linux (Rocky 8, Ubuntu)

• Exceptional communication and leadership skills; ability to work with cross-functional teams

• Ability to exercise sound technical judgment and independently plan and accomplish goals

Schedule & Work Conditions

• Hours: Monday through Friday, standard NIST business hours (typically 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM access window)

• Location: NIST Gaithersburg Campus, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

• Federal Holidays Off: All federal holidays as observed by NIST

• On-site Requirement: All work must be performed on-site unless otherwise agreed in advance by the Government

• Travel: May be required to represent the CNST at up to two conferences per contract year (travel budget provided)

Security Requirements

• Must obtain a NIST site badge; requires proof of identity, citizenship/visa status, fingerprinting, and criminal background check (processing takes approximately 4 weeks)

• IT Risk Level: Moderate Risk - access to NIST IT systems with elevated, limited access rights

• Must comply with all NIST and DoC IT Security Policies for Moderate Impact (Confidentiality and Integrity) systems

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.