Technical Lead / Full Stack Engineer

Description

Potomac Haven is committed to empowering the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS) on its trajectory to modernize the technical infrastructure, systems, and applications required to successfully manage, monitor, and provide oversight of OHS grant recipient organizations and program operations. We are seeking a highly experienced and civic-minded Project Director to lead a dynamic technical team as it optimizes OHS's Aligned Monitoring System 2.0 Digital Services (IT-AMS) platform, a data management system designed to help OHS program staff to monitor performance, compliance, and effective use of federal funds for grants at the local, state, regional, and national levels.

Requirements

The Full Stack Engineer is the heart of our OHS technical group, pumping specialized skills and support to our dynamic development team and keeping pulse of its progress. The Technical Lead/Full Stack Engineer is responsible for providing full-stack technical leadership for the design, development, enhancement, and maintenance of the IT-AMS platform, which supports nationwide monitoring and oversight for the Office of Head Start. This individual will lead a team of developers across front-end and back-end domains, ensuring that all technical solutions are scalable, secure, accessible, and aligned with agile delivery principles and federal compliance requirements. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader with deep expertise in modern web technologies, DevSecOps practices, cloud-based deployment, and integration with external systems. 

Responsibilities:

• Provide architectural leadership across both front-end and back-end systems, ensuring reliable performance, maintainability, and security of the IT-AMS platform 
• Oversee development of user interfaces using React and the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS), ensuring responsive, accessible, and user-centered design implementation 
• Lead API development, data integration, and service-layer implementation using Java, Node.js, and PostgreSQL 
• Collaborate with product managers, designers, and analysts to translate user needs and functional requirements into technical solutions 
• Ensure compliance with FISMA Low security controls and support continuous Authority to Operate (ATO) documentation and processes 
• Manage CI/CD pipelines, containerization, cloud deployment (e.g., Cloud.gov or AWS), and infrastructure as code 
• Conduct code reviews, mentor development team members, and establish engineering best practices 
• Ensure front-end and back-end systems work seamlessly to support integrated workflows, dashboards, and performance reporting tools 
• Monitor application performance and reliability, implementing monitoring tools and performance optimizations 
• Participate in agile ceremonies including sprint planning, retrospectives, and backlog grooming  
• Perform these and other reasonable tasks as assigned by management in support of BCT’s goals and objectives. 

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a technical related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in full-stack web development, including at least 3 years in a technical leadership or architectural role 
• 2 years of experience in leading teams, including both direct and indirect reports, with a track record of fostering collaboration and ensuring compliance with established guidelines and approaches. 
• Proficient in modern front-end technologies including React, JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3 
• Proficient in back-end development using Java and/or Node.js, with expertise in building and maintaining RESTful APIs 
• Strong experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL and understanding of data modeling principles 
• Familiarity with accessibility and usability standards, including WCAG 2.1 and Section 508 compliance 
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Git-based version control, Docker, and infrastructure-as-code tools 
• Knowledge of secure coding practices and compliance with federal IT standards including FISMA 
• Experience with monitoring and logging tools (e.g., ELK Stack, Prometheus, or similar) 
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in agile, cross-functional development teams 
• Experience with federal system integration (e.g., HSES, IRIS) and platforms requiring ATO is preferred 
• Familiarity with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and DevSecOps principles is a plus  
• Proven ability to effectively communicate to various audiences when speaking and in writing. 
• Good technical understanding of web hosting and re-hosting, infrastructure support, communication, network interfaces, and data backup and recovery.
• Proficiency with computer, Internet, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); experience with SharePoint and Monday.com desirable. 
• Experience with video meetings/conferencing (e.g., Zoom, Adobe, MS Teams). 
• Ability to adapt quickly to new applications.
• Proven ability to supervise a project team, collaborate with staff to get a job done, and cultivate team spirit and synergy.
• Strong understanding of Agile methodologies and user-centered design principles.
• Experience in Generative AI a plus.
• Must be able to demonstrate ability to communicate risks, obstacles or issues as early as possible.
• Must be able to demonstrate experience of coordination and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure alignment of product work with user needs and business goals of the organization.
• Preference given to candidates with experience working within the federal sector, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Administration for Children and Families.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a public trust clearance.
• Preferred Spanish language skills.

Work Schedule:

• 8-hour shift between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm, Monday - Friday

Work Location:

• McLean, VA

Our Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Simple IRA and corporate match
• Paid leave (three weeks)

More about Potomac Haven:

Potomac Haven is dedicated to enhancing government efficiency and promoting economic growth at the grassroots -- one community at a time. We offer a comprehensive suite of information technology services to support various missions including national security and defense, economic stability, and innovation. We are committed to supporting agencies to align with key national priorities, delivering excellence, and supporting our nation’s goals.