Backend Technical Lead - Wagtail CMS

BCC-NIH; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and vision coverage

401k with employer contribution

Paid holidays and vacation

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Black Canyon Consulting (BCC) seeks a Backend Technical Lead to architect and deliver a scalable Wagtail CMS solution for NCBI’s public web platforms. You will guide architecture and development in Django/Python, GraphQL APIs, and multisite deployments, collaborating with frontend, UX, content, and DevOps teams in a security-minded environment.

The role is on-site in Bethesda/Rockville, MD, with a competitive benefits package and salary commensurate with experience and location.

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science or equivalent.
• 5+ years of full-stack web development with Wagtail CMS and Django.
• Experience implementing or supporting Headless CMS and GraphQL APIs.
• Experience with multisite Wagtail architecture.
• Familiarity with modern web security, caching, testing, and deployment workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and implementation of Wagtail CMS solutions using Django and Python.
• Drive adoption of Wagtail CMS at NCBI, including strategy, standards, and documentation.
• Design and support headless CMS capabilities for frontend apps.
• Oversee GraphQL API development for content delivery.
• Lead multisite Wagtail setup across websites and workflows.

Skills

Wagtail CMS

Django

Python

GraphQL APIs

Headless CMS

Multisite architecture

PostgreSQL

CI/CD

Git

Security

Education

BS in Computer Science

Tools

Docker

CI/CD tools

REST APIs

Job description

Black Canyon Consulting (BCC) is currently searching for a Backend Technical Lead with strong experience inWagtail CMS,Django/Python,GraphQLAPIs,Headless CMS architecture, andmultisite implementation. This role will lead the technical design, development, adoption, and delivery of scalable Wagtail CMS solution for NCBI’s public-facing web platforms.

BCC is an exciting growth oriented company, dedicated to providing mission critical scientific and technical services to the Federal Government. We have a distinguished history of supporting government agencies. If you enjoy being a part of a high performing, professional service and technology focused organization, this opportunity is full-time with BCC and it is on-site in Bethesda/Rockville, Maryland.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead architecture and implementation of Wagtail CMS solutions usingDjangoandPython.
• Drive theadoption of Wagtail CMS at NCBI, including technical strategy, implementation guidance, standards, documentation, and best practices.
• Design and support headless CMScapabilities for modern frontend applications.
• Oversee GraphQLAPIdevelopment for structured content delivery.
• Lead multisite Wagtailsetup for multiple websites, content areas, and publishing workflows.
• Define content models, StreamField structures, snippets, permissions, workflows, and admin customizations.
• Establish coding standards, architecture patterns, documentation, and review processes.
• Mentor developers and provide technical guidance across CMS and backend work.
• Collaborate with frontend, UX, content, product, DevOps, and stakeholder teams.
• Ensure solutions are secure, scalable, accessible, maintainable, and performant.
• Support troubleshooting, testing, deployment, release planning, and production support.

Requirements:

• Strong experience withWagtail CMS,Django, andPython.
• Proven technical leadership experience on CMS or web platform projects.
• Hands-on experience with GraphQLAPIsand headless CMS implementation.
• Experience with multisite Wagtail architecture.
• Experience supporting CMS adoption, governance, standards, and best practices across teams or organizations.
• Deep understanding of Wagtail content modeling, StreamField, snippets, workflows, permissions, preview, and admin customization.
• Experience with PostgreSQL, API design, caching, security, testing, Git, CI/CD, and deployment workflows.
• Strong communication, mentoring, documentation, and stakeholder collaboration skills

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science
• 5+ years of Full stack Web applications development, using Wagtail CMS and Django.
• Experience implementing, extending, migrating or supporting adoption of aContent Management System across teams or products.
• Experience developing and integrating with Headless CMS platformsand consumingGraphQLor REST APIs.
• Experience with public-facing government, scientific, biomedical, or research websites.
• Familiarity with Section 508,WCAGandU.S. Web Design System
• Experience with search integrations, CMS migrations, Docker, cloud hosting, CDN configuration, SEO, metadata, and analytics.
• Experience working in Agile or cross-functional product teams.

Benefits and Salary

We attract the best people in the business with our competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k plan with employer contribution, paid holidays, vacation, and tuition reimbursement.

We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience and location.