Senior Software Engineer

As a Senior Software Engineer at Aquia Inc., your primary responsibilities will include designing, developing, and maintaining backend systems using Ruby on Rails and Java. You’ll take part in agile sprints and contribute to front-end development as well, using React and JavaScript where necessary. Your role involves leading technical design sessions, ensuring compliance with VA integration standards, and actively monitoring system health. You’ll also mentor junior engineers and collaborate closely with product managers and designers to bring features to life, all while promoting accessibility and security best practices.

To be a successful Senior Software Engineer at Aquia Inc., you should have at least 5 years of software engineering experience, with 2 years in a senior role. Proficiency in Ruby on Rails and Java is essential, along with familiarity in React and modern JavaScript frameworks for contributing to frontend projects. Experience in deploying containerized applications using Docker and Kubernetes, solid understanding of RESTful APIs, and commitment to best practices in accessibility and security will also be crucial in fulfilling the responsibilities of the role.

The work environment at Aquia Inc. for a Senior Software Engineer is dynamic and collaborative, primarily remote, allowing you to work from anywhere in the U.S. You’ll be part of a mission-driven team that emphasizes agile practices, continuous improvement, and shared knowledge. Regular engagement with cross-functional teams involving product managers, designers, and other engineers creates a supportive atmosphere focused on developing scalable solutions for the U.S. government. This setup fosters innovation and allows you to have a direct impact on improving the digital experience for veterans.

At Aquia Inc., a Senior Software Engineer will work on pivotal projects such as modernizing the digital disability benefits experience on VA.gov. You’ll contribute to building and maintaining systems that enhance the accessibility and accuracy of claims processing for veterans. This role involves integrating with essential VA services and ensuring compliance with federal standards, all while utilizing cutting-edge technology solutions and practices to achieve impactful outcomes in the realm of public service.

Aquia Inc. values its employees and offers a comprehensive benefits package for Senior Software Engineers. This includes premium health care plans with 90% employer-paid health coverage, a robust employee stock plan, and a 100% 401k match up to the annual IRS maximum. They also provide a generous PTO package and a personal training and development budget to foster continuous learning and growth. These benefits reflect the commitment Aquia has to its team members, ensuring a supportive and rewarding work environment.

When responding, highlight specific projects where you utilized Ruby on Rails, discussing how you designed, developed, and implemented scalable backend systems. Mention any challenges you faced and how you overcame them, showcasing your problem-solving skills and technical knowledge.

Discuss the observability tools and dashboards you prefer for monitoring systems, emphasizing proactive measures you take to identify issues before they affect users. Mention past experiences where your troubleshooting led to significant improvements in system reliability.

In your response, elucidate the specific frameworks and standards you adhere to, such as WCAG for accessibility or FIPS 140-2 for security. Share examples of how you integrated these standards into your software development lifecycle and their impact on user experience.

Provide details about the session, including the objectives, the team composition, and the outcomes. Discuss your approach to facilitating discussions and garnering feedback, and how the session contributed to the project’s success.

Explain your mentoring philosophy, including techniques you use to foster learning and growth. Share examples of how you've supported junior engineers in their career development and the positive outcomes from your mentoring efforts.

Discuss your experience with agile sprints and how you prioritize tasks within those timelines. Describe any tools or methods you employ for time management and collaboration to ensure that deadlines are met without compromising quality.

Share specific challenges you encountered, such as communication or collaboration issues, and detail the strategies you implemented to overcome them. Highlight how this experience has made you a stronger team player in a remote setting.

Talk about your commitment to continuous learning, including sources such as online courses, tech blogs, or conferences. Share how you’ve applied new knowledge in your projects and the benefits of staying informed about industry trends.

Detail your experience with Docker for containerization and Kubernetes for orchestration, sharing specific projects or tasks where you utilized these technologies. Highlight the benefits these tools brought to your development and deployment processes.

Reflect on the unique challenges and rewards of contributing to government projects, particularly those affecting veterans or public services. Highlight your passion for making an impact through technology and how it drives your work as a Senior Software Engineer at Aquia Inc.