Senior Full Stack Engineer

Peraton; Chantilly (VA); Remote; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Peraton is seeking a Senior Full Stack Engineer to support the USGS Volcano Hazards Program (VHP). You will be an embedded technical contributor, designing, developing, and deploying a cloud-ready database and data-visualization tools for M&E workflows.

You will enable scientists and program managers across observatories to visualize hazard data, track performance, and produce evidence-based reports through modern web apps and APIs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of professional experience or higher education equivalents.
• Citizenship and US work eligibility; ability to obtain Public Trust clearance.
• Designing, implementing, and optimizing relational databases with spatial data types.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a relational database (PostgreSQL/PostGIS) for M&E data.
• Develop RESTful APIs using Python (FastAPI or Flask) to expose database functionality.
• Create web/mobile data entry interfaces with React/TypeScript and build dashboards for M&E analysis.
• Develop GIS-enabled visualization tools and integrate geospatial data.
• Ensure cloud-readiness and security compliance per USGS standards.

Skills

Python Backend Development

JavaScript/TypeScript

React

RESTful APIs

Data ingestion/ETL

Git/GitLab

Web accessibility (WCAG)

Communication & Collaboration

Cloud-ready architectures

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Associates degree

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

PostgreSQL / PostGIS

ArcGIS / ArcPy / GDAL/OGR

FastAPI / Flask

ESRI JavaScript API / Leaflet / Mapbox

GitLab workflows

Docker / Kubernetes

Job description

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree and 8 years professional experience, or a Masters degree and 6 years professional experience, or an Associates degree and 10 years professional experience; or a high school diploma/equivalent and 12 years' professional experience.
• U.S. Citizenship required; must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance; all work must be performed within the United States.
• PostgreSQL / PostGIS — Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and optimizing relational databases with spatial data types, indexing strategies, and complex query development.
• Python Backend Development — Proficiency building RESTful APIs using FastAPI or Flask; experience with data ingestion, ETL workflows, and scripting for automation.
• JavaScript / TypeScript & React — Strong front-end development skills using modern JavaScript frameworks; ability to build responsive, accessible, interactive web applications.
• GIS / Geospatial Development — Hands-on experience with ArcGIS, ArcPy, GDAL/OGR, PostGIS, and at least one web mapping library (ESRI JavaScript API, Leaflet, or Mapbox).
• API Design & Integration — Experience designing, documenting, and consuming RESTful APIs; understanding of API security, versioning, and documentation best practices.
• Data Modeling & Metadata Management — Ability to design logical and physical data models, entity-relationship diagrams, and comprehensive data dictionaries aligned with federal metadata standards.
• Cloud-Ready Architecture — Experience designing portable, maintainable systems for cloud or hybrid deployment; familiarity with containerization and cloud-native design patterns.
• Git / GitLab Version Control — Proficiency with Git-based workflows including branching, merging, code review, and repository management.
• Section 508 / WCAG 2.0 Accessibility — Working knowledge of web accessibility standards (Level A and Level AA); experience implementing semantic HTML, ARIA attributes, keyboard navigation, and color contrast compliance.
• Federal IT Security Compliance — Familiarity with FISMA, NIST SP 800-53, and federal Certification & Accreditation (C&A) processes.
• Technical Documentation — Demonstrated ability to produce clear, complete technical documentation including user guides, API references, system schemas, and deployment guides.
• Communication & Collaboration — Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience working in cross-functional teams with government stakeholders; ability to provide clear status updates and integrate iterative feedback.

Preferred Qualifications:

• USGS or DOI Experience — Prior experience supporting USGS, Department of the Interior, or other federal science agencies.
• Volcano or Natural Hazards Data — Familiarity with volcano monitoring data, natural hazards datasets, or environmental science data systems.
• R Programming — Experience using R for statistical analysis, data visualization, or geospatial data processing.
• ESRI / ArcGIS Web Services — Experience consuming or publishing geospatial web services in enterprise environments.
• Mobile-Responsive Development — Experience building mobile-friendly, responsive web interfaces for field or remote use.
• Content Management System (CMS) Development — Experience designing editable frameworks that allow non-technical users to manage content and workflows.
• NIST Security Frameworks — Deep familiarity with NIST SP 800-37, 800-18, 800-30, 800-64, 800-34, FIPS 199, and FIPS 200.
• DOI System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) — Experience working within the DOI SDLC and Security Integration Guide.
• Agile / Iterative Development — Experience in milestone-driven or sprint-based iterative development methodologies with government review cycles.

Peraton is seeking a Senior Full Stack Engineer to support the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program (VHP). In this role, you will serve as an embedded technical contributor within the VHP government team, designing, developing, documenting, and deploying a modern, cloud-ready database and associated data visualization tools that support the program’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) workflows. Your work will directly enable scientists, program managers, and stakeholders across the five U.S. volcano observatories and the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) to track performance, visualize geospatial hazard data, and produce evidence-based reports.

Work Location: Remote

Day to Day Roles and Responsibilities:

• Database Design & Development — Analyze government-furnished M&E plans and existing VDAP M&E database code; design and implement a relational database (PostgreSQL/PostGIS) supporting VHP monitoring and evaluation data; develop stored procedures, views, data validation logic, and comprehensive data dictionaries; architect the database for mobile device accessibility.
• API & Backend Development — Design and implement RESTful APIs in Python (FastAPI or Flask) to expose database functionality; develop data ingestion tools and ETL workflows to load M&E data from existing sources; implement metadata management aligned with USGS standards; conduct unit and integration testing of all backend components.
• Front-End & Visualization Development — Develop a web-based and mobile-friendly data entry and reporting interface using JavaScript/TypeScript and React; create an easily editable content management tool allowing VHP staff to update the M&E framework without developer intervention; build interactive dashboards and visualization modules for M&E analysis and reporting with filtering, drill-down, and export capabilities.
• GIS & Geospatial Visualization — Develop GIS-enabled tools for spatial visualization of volcano data tied to M&E evaluation criteria; implement interactive web mapping using ESRI JavaScript API, Leaflet, or Mapbox; integrate geospatial layers with the database backend via RESTful APIs; leverage ArcGIS, ArcPy, GDAL/OGR, and PostGIS spatial functions.
• Cloud Readiness & Architecture — Architect all systems to be cloud-ready, portable, and maintainable, aligned with USGS approved architecture and security baselines; document deployment configurations for future migration to CHS-supported cloud and hybrid environments.
• Documentation — Produce and maintain all required documentation including user guides, data dictionaries, API references, system schemas, and deployment guides; follow USGS coding and documentation standards throughout.
• Security & Compliance — Complete required DOI security awareness training; adhere to FISMA, NIST, and DOI security requirements; support Certification and Accreditation (C&A) activities; confirm all web-based applications include USGS-approved logon banners; report any computer security incidents per DOI procedures.
• Section 508 Accessibility — Validate all web-based interfaces against WCAG 2.0 Level A and Level AA success criteria; apply universal design principles including semantic HTML, keyboard navigation, color contrast, and screen reader compatibility; remediate any non-conforming features.
• Collaboration & Communication — Attend and actively participate in weekly check-in meetings with VHP staff and the volcano-hazards software development team; provide written progress updates (work completed, planned, issues, risks); integrate feedback from the VHP Coordinator and COR; coordinate with teams across the five U.S. volcano observatories to maintain system interoperability.
• Travel — Travel to Natural Hazards Mission Area offices for up to three (3) on-site visits during the 12-month period of performance (3-5 business days each) for onboarding, system integration meetings, or collaborative working sessions.