Lead IT Specialist (Applications Software)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Lakeland, FL, seeks a Lead IT Specialist (Applications Software) to plan, develop, and implement architecture for web apps and APIs supporting data acquisition and cloud workflows. You will guide cross-disciplinary teams to resolve aircraft system issues and ensure secure, reliable software services.

This senior role leads design, coding, testing, and maintenance, aligning with policy requirements and mission objectives, and ensures

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, and implement application architecture including web-based applications and APIs.
• Work with science and engineering project teams to create solutions for data collection from AOC navigation and remote sensing systems.
• Advise on and develop solutions to aircraft system issues and improve operational efficiency and risk management.
• Lead design, coding, testing, and upgrading of systems and code.
• Ensure software quality and cybersecurity policy adherence across application services.
• Distribute workload among team members and provide guidance on methodologies and procedures.

Job description

Open: September 4, 2026 — Closes: September 10, 2026

Summary

This position is located in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), Marine and Aviation Cyber Center (MACC), with 1 vacancy in Lakeland, FL. This position is also announced under vacancy number OMAO-26-13053107-ST, which is open to Status Candidates. You must apply to both announcements if you want to be considered for both.

Major Duties

As a Lead IT Specialist (Applications Software), you will perform the following duties: Plan, develop, and implement application architecture including web-based applications and application program interfaces (APIs), related to data acquisition, digital workflows, and cloud applications. Work with science and engineering project teams to create solutions in support of the collection of Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) navigation and remote sensing systems data. Advise on and develop solutions to aircraft system issues. Recommend system improvements, optimization and maintenance for operational efficiency, risk management and contingency planning for mission applications. Ensure software and system quality and functionality and integrate components. Lead the design, coding and testing of systems and upgrade code. Serve as a senior expert and consultant to ensure the rigorous application of cybersecurity policies, standards, guidelines, and regulatory requirements to deliver application systems and software services. Develop new plans, techniques, or policies to include playing a lead role in drafting new policies, processes and procedures. Perform a full range of Team Leader functions, ensuring that the office's strategic plan, mission, vision and values are communicated and integrated into the strategies, objectives, work plans and work products and services. Provide advice on work methods, practices and procedures, and assist in identifying the parameters of a viable solution. Identify, distribute and balance workload and tasks among employees in accordance with established skill level.