Senior Software Engineer

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 [email protected]. Messages from other sources may be fraudulent, and you should exercise care to avoid any links or attachments included. If you experience any challenges with your submission, please contact us at [email protected]. We're here to help!

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About Us:

Bixal is a consulting company based 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.

This role can work remotely from anywhere in the USA. You must be legally authorized to work in the US. Bixal does not provide visa sponsorship.

We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer to support the Secure, Performant, Reliable, and User-Centered Experiences (SPRUCE) IDIQ contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This role will play a key part in enhancing the Veteran Transition Experience, ensuring that transitioning service members (TSMs) and recently separated Veterans (RSVs) can seamlessly access VA and cross-agency benefits. The Senior Software Engineer will contribute to designing, developing, and maintaining secure, scalable, and accessible digital solutions that improve the user experience for Veterans and their families.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain secure, high-performance web applications and services to support VA’s Transition Experience initiatives.
• Architect scalable, cloud-based solutions that integrate with VA systems, APIs, and data sources.
• Ensure software solutions adhere to VA’s Technical Reference Model (TRM), Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), and other compliance standards.
• Implement automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, and DevSecOps best practices to ensure robust and resilient software delivery.
• Work closely with Product Managers, UX Designers, Data Scientists, and Government Stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solutions.
• Lead Agile development teams in two-week sprint cycles, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality software.
• Advocate for best practices in software development, security, and accessibility (Section 508 compliance).
• Participate in peer code reviews, technical documentation, and knowledge sharing across teams.
• Develop and optimize integrations with VA Master Person Index (MPI) and other authoritative data sources.
• Ensure seamless API connectivity between VA and external systems (DoD, DoL, SBA, OPM) to enhance Veteran services.
• Work with structured and unstructured data, ensuring secure handling, transformation, and retrieval.
• Implement security best practices, including identity management, encryption, and authentication protocols (PIV, CAC, SAML, OAuth, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with OMB, NIST, and VA cybersecurity policies, maintaining data integrity and security.
• Support Federal Identity, Credential, and Access Management (FICAM) and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) principles.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, plus at least five years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Expertise in modern programming languages such as JavaScript (Node.js, React), Python, Java, or Go.
• Experience with cloud-based architectures (AWS, Azure, or GCP), including containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Strong background in API development, RESTful services, and microservices architecture.
• Knowledge of federal IT regulations, cybersecurity best practices, and DevSecOps principles.
• Proficiency in database design and management (SQL, NoSQL, PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, etc.).
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: Ability to diagnose technical challenges and implement scalable solutions.
• Collaboration & Communication: Work effectively in cross-functional teams, translating technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
• Leadership & Initiative: Drive engineering best practices, mentor junior developers, and contribute to a culture of continuous learning.
• Adaptability & Resilience: Proven ability to thrive in a complex government environment, balancing competing priorities and constraints.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance. 

Nice to haves

• Experience working with VA, government agencies, or federal health IT systems.
• Familiarity with VA.gov development guidelines, VA Design System, and Digital Services Playbook.
• Background in machine learning, data analytics, or AI-driven solutions for government services.

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

Generous PTO

11 Paid holidays

Professional development opportunities

Please note that candidates selected may undergo a background investigation and, if applicable, meet eligibility requirements for suitability.

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.