Principal Full Stack Web Developer

Draper Labs; Saint Petersburg (FL); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper Labs in St. Petersburg, FL, is seeking a senior software leader to architect and deliver complex web platforms. You will mentor engineers, drive architecture choices, and partner with program officers to meet roadmap milestones. Expect hybrid onsite 3 days, remote 2 days, with US base salary range detailed in the posting.

The role requires deep frontend and backend expertise, cloud-native patterns, and experience with CI/CD tooling. A security-cleared environment is common for this team.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of fullstack development with 2+ years leading architecture decisions
• Proven track record delivering production-grade web apps at scale
• Strong frontend (React, TypeScript, CSS-in-JS) and backend (Node.js/Express, Python, Java)
• Deep understanding of REST/GraphQL APIs, OAuth/OIDC, and cloud-native patterns
• Issues tracking and CI/CD tools experience (Jira, GitLab, GitHub Actions)
• Bachelor's in CS/Engineering or equivalent; Master's a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture decisions for new and existing web platforms
• Write production-ready, test-driven code in modern stacks
• Mentor engineers and set engineering standards
• Define roadmaps with program officers and product owners
• Represent the team in reviews, stakeholder meetings, and demos
• Drive performance, security, and operational excellence

Skills

Fullstack development

Architecture leadership

React/TypeScript

Node.js/Express

Python/Java

REST/GraphQL APIs

OAuth/OIDC authentication

Jira/GitLab/GitHub Actions

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS/GCP/Azure

Job description

Overview:

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation. For more information about Draper, visit www.draper.com.

Job Description Summary:

Location
South Tampa, FL - Hybrid (3days onsite, 2days remote).

About Draper

Draper's FullStack Group builds missioncritical web applications for military, government, and commercial customers. We operate like an incubator, giving engineers space to experiment, iterate, and deliver software that protects lives and advances the national interest.

Why This Role Matters

You'll play a primary role in developing and executing the technical vision for complex, highimpact web solutions that directly enable our customers' missions. Your work will shape products that are deployed, operational, and trusted by governments and agencies worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead architecture decisions for new and existing web platforms (microservices, data pipelines, UI/UX).
• Write productionready, testdriven code in modern stacks (React+TypeScript, Node.js, GraphQL, PostgreSQL, etc.).
• Mentor senior engineers and set engineering standards (code reviews, CI/CD, automated testing).
• Partner with program officers, product owners, and other technical leads to define roadmaps and delivery milestones.
• Represent the team in program reviews, weekly/quarterly stakeholder meetings, and client demos.
• Drive continuous improvement: performance tuning, security hardening, and operational excellence.

Required Qualifications

• 7+years of fullstack development experience, with at least 2years leading architecture decisions. 10+ years in the field is a bonus.
• Proven track record delivering productiongrade web applications at scale.
• Strong proficiency in modern frontend (React, TypeScript, CSSinJS) and backend (Node.js/Express, Python, Java) technologies.
• Deep understanding of REST/GraphQL APIs, authentication/authorization (OAuth, OIDC), and cloudnative patterns.
• Experience with issuetracking and CI/CD tools (Jira, GitLab, GitHub Actions).
• BA/BS in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience (Master's a plus).

Preferred Qualifications

• Handson experience with Docker and Kubernetes (EKS, GKE, AKS).
• Deployments on AWS, GCP, or Azure; familiarity with IaC (Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Knowledge of serverless architectures and eventdriven designs.
• Experience with highavailability, multitenant SaaS platforms.

About You

• Insatiable appetite to learn new technologies and share knowledge.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and forging clear paths to success.
• Passionate about building products you'd proudly use yourself.
• Thrives in a team that pushes each other to excel daily.

Job Description:

Duties/Responsibilities

• Independently execute task assignments.
• Designs algorithms using modern theory and proven techniques, adheres to software best practices.
• Analyzes designs to demonstrate performance and functionality.
• Develops and executes software tests to check compliance with requirements.
• Prepares technical data, procedures, reports, drawings, manuals, and other required documentation.
• Communicates with customers and stakeholders to establish requirements and describe the design and deliverables.
• Independently drive solutions to complex problems, develop requirements, propose ways forward when customer requirements are unclear or incomplete, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in their discipline.
• Identify program/system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies.
• Leads the design of system architecture, delegating tasks and collecting feedback on designs as needed.
• Lead a medium size team of engineers across multiple disciplines.

Skills/Abilities

• Curiosity-driven approach to solving complex, customer-driven problems as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate an ability to learn new programming languages and technologies quickly.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively and openly with multi-disciplinary program team members, program leadership, and non-technical personnel.
• A team player able to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to balance multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Demonstrate strong organization, planning, and time management skills to achieve program goals

Education

Requires a bachelor's in Computer Science or other related field. Master's degree is preferred.

Experience

10+ years experience in Software Engineering or related field.

Additional Job Description:

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance. Secret clearance is desired, Top Secret clearance is preferred.

Job Location - City:

St. Petersburg

Job Location - State:

Florida

Job Location - Postal Code:

33716

The US base salary range for this full-time position is

$95,000.00 - $245,000.00

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location . The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations.

Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Union ranges will be in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement's approved rates by location and role.

Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and does not include bonuses or benefits.

Our work is very important to us, but so is our life outside of work. Draper supports many programs to improve work-life balance including workplace flexibility, employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga, health and finance workshops, off site social events and discounts to local museums and cultural activities. If this specific job opportunity and the chance to work at a nationally renowned R&D innovation company appeals to you,

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. We understand the value of inclusivity and its impact on a high-performance culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact [e-mail].