Software Engineer (Full Stack)

Important Notice For Applicants

At Bixal, we want to ensure a transparent and secure application process for all candidates. Official communication will come from an email address ending in @bixal.com or from @bixal.na.teamtailor-mail.com. Messages from other sources may be fraudulent, and you should exercise care to avoid any links or attachments included.

Bixal will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Need Assistance or a Reasonable Accommodation?

If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation to complete your application, we're here to help. Please reach out to us at talent@bixal.com and let us know how we can support you. You do not need to share personal details or disclose the nature of your request. You can expect a response from a team member within 24 hours during the regular work week and on the next operating day during the weekend or holidays.

Why Bixal?

Bixal is a consulting company headquartered in Fairfax, VA, working alongside governments and organizations to help them deliver better services and experiences to the communities they serve. Using evidence-based knowledge and technology, Bixal empowers clients to deliver on their missions more effectively by fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

Our Values

• People-First: Emphasizing the importance of people in all aspects of work.
• Collaboration and Transparency: Valuing teamwork and open communication.
• Growth Mindset: Encouraging innovation and continuous improvement.
• Creating Lasting Impact: Focusing on meaningful outcomes and positive change.

About The Role

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.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $85,000 – $105,000. In the spirit of transparency, most offers tend to land near the midpoint of the range. We make compensation decisions thoughtfully, considering your experience, the skills you bring, and our commitment to internal equity. Fairness and transparency are core to how we operate.

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.

Qualifications

• 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 Have Skills And Experience

• 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.

How We Support Our Team

• Flex hours
• 401K with matching incentive
• Parental Leave
• Medical/dental/vision benefits
• Flex Spending Account
• Company provided short-term disability and life insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Paid holidays

Our company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all individuals and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

We leverage technology, communications, data, and human-centered design to help governments and leading organizations be more efficient, effective, and impactful.