Full Stack Developer – Wagtail CMS

Black Canyon Consulting; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Black Canyon Consulting (BCC) is seeking a Full Stack Developer with strong Wagtail CMS backend and modern frontend skills. You will work on CMS-driven, accessible, scalable public-facing web platforms using Wagtail, Django/Python, React, Next.js, GraphQL APIs, Headless CMS, and the NCBI Web Design System.

You will join NCBI’s team of web developers and software engineers to build robust, flexible web applications, APIs, and services.

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Science.
• 3+ years of Full stack Web applications development, using Django, React, and Next.js.
• Experience with Wagtail CMS, Django, and Python.
• Experience with GraphQL APIs, REST APIs, and headless CMS integration.
• Understanding of Wagtail content modeling, StreamField, snippets, workflows, and multisite setup.
• Experience implementing components from a Web Design System or component library.
• Strong understanding of accessibility, including Section 508 and WCAG.
• Familiarity with PostgreSQL, Git, CI/CD, testing, and modern development workflows.
• Ability to work collaboratively across technical and non-technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Wagtail CMS features using Django and Python.
• Support the adoption of Wagtail CMS at NCBI by following established architecture, standards, documentation, and best practices.
• Support the adoption of the NCBI Web Design System by implementing reusable components, patterns, and design standards.
• Integrate front-end applications with headless CMS APIs, including GraphQL and REST.
• Create and manage Wagtail page models, StreamField blocks, snippets, workflows, and admin customizations.
• Support multisite Wagtail implementations and structured content delivery.
• Collaborate with UX, content, backend, DevOps, product, and stakeholder teams.
• Optimize websites for accessibility, performance, SEO, scalability, and maintainability.
• Participate in troubleshooting, code reviews, testing, documentation, release planning, and production support.

Skills

Full stack development

Accessibility

Collaboration

Government/science familiarity

Education

BS in Computer Science

Tools

Django

Python

Wagtail CMS

GraphQL

REST APIs

React

Next.js

PostgreSQL

Git

CI/CD

Docker

Job description

Black Canyon Consulting (BCC) is searching for a Full Stack Developer with experience in Wagtail CMS backend development and modern front-end development. This role will support the development, adoption, and delivery of CMS-driven, accessible, and scalable public-facing web platforms using Wagtail, Django/Python, React, Next.js, GraphQL APIs, Headless CMS, and the NCBI Web Design System.

You will join NCBI’s team of web developers and software engineers to build robust, flexible web applications, APIs, and services. This role calls for an expert web developer – with knowledge and experience in modern web development, testing, UI design and usability principles, and ability to work effectively with user researchers, designers, product managers, scientists, security and DevOps engineers.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain Wagtail CMS features using Django and Python.
• Support the adoption of Wagtail CMS at NCBI by following established architecture, standards, documentation, and best practices.
• Support the adoption of the NCBI Web Design System by implementing reusable components, patterns, and design standards.
• Integrate front-end applications with headless CMS APIs, including GraphQL and REST.
• Create and manage Wagtail page models, StreamField blocks, snippets, workflows, and admin customizations.
• Support multisite Wagtail implementations and structured content delivery.
• Collaborate with UX, content, backend, DevOps, product, and stakeholder teams.
• Optimize websites for accessibility, performance, SEO, scalability, and maintainability.
• Participate in troubleshooting, code reviews, testing, documentation, release planning, and production support.

Required qualifications:

• BS in Computer Science
• 3+ years of Full stack Web applications development, using Django, React, and Next.js.
• Experience with Wagtail CMS, Django, and Python.
• Experience with GraphQL APIs, REST APIs, and headless CMS integration.
• Understanding of Wagtail content modeling, StreamField, snippets, workflows, and multisite setup.
• Experience implementing components from a Web Design System or component library.
• Strong understanding of accessibility, including Section 508 and WCAG.
• Familiarity with PostgreSQL, Git, CI/CD, testing, and modern development workflows.
• Ability to work collaboratively across technical and non-technical teams.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with public-facing government, scientific, biomedical, or research websites.
• Familiarity with U.S. Web Design System or similar design systems.
• Experience with Wagtail in a headless or hybrid architecture.
• Familiarity with Docker, cloud hosting, CDN configuration, search integration, SEO, analytics, and automated testing.
• Experience supporting CMS or design system adoption across teams or products.
• Experience developing Django web applications and services.

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. If you enjoy being a part of a high performing, professional service and technology focused organization, please apply today!