Senior Full Stack Web Developer

draper; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Draper’s Full-Stack Group is seeking a senior full‑stack software engineer to design and deliver mission‑critical web apps for government and commercial customers in a hybrid Tampa setting. You will translate high‑level strategy into reliable, maintainable code and influence technical direction on multi‑million‑dollar programs.

You’ll mentor engineers, participate in architectural discussions, and ensure robust testing and secure APIs.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of full-stack development experience.
• Active Secret clearance (TS preferred; sponsorship possible).
• Proficiency with React + TypeScript, and a modern back-end language (Node.js, Python, or Java).
• Experience with REST/GraphQL APIs and OAuth/OIDC authentication.
• Familiarity with Jira, Git, and CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI).
• BA/BS in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement end-to-end features for mission-critical web apps.
• Contribute to architectural discussions and turn guidance into designs.
• Write high-quality, test-driven code (React + TS; Node.js/Python/Java).
• Conduct code reviews and mentor junior teammates.
• Partner with product managers and principal architects to deliver regular releases.
• Participate in client demos and program reviews as a technical SME.

Skills

React

TypeScript

REST/GraphQL

Mentoring

Software design

Communication

Jira

Git

CI/CD

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Node.js

Python

Java

Docker

Kubernetes

AWS/Azure/GCP

GitHub Actions

GitLab CI

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 (3 days on‑site, 2 days remote).

About Draper

Draper's Full‑Stack Group builds mission‑critical 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 It Matters

At the senior level you translate high‑level strategy into reliable, maintainable code and help shape the technical direction of multi‑million‑dollar programs. Your work directly influences delivery speed, quality, and the confidence our government partners place in Draper's solutions.

Core Responsibilities

• Design and implement end‑to‑end features for mission‑critical web apps.
• Contribute to architectural discussions and turn senior‑level guidance into concrete designs.
• Write high‑quality, test‑driven code (React + TypeScript, Node.js/Java/Python).
• Conduct code reviews, enforce standards, and mentor junior teammates.
• Partner with product managers and principal architects to deliver regular releases.
• Participate in client demos and program reviews as a technical subject‑matter expert.

Required Qualifications

• 5‑7 years full‑stack development experience (front‑end & back‑end).
• Active Secret clearance (TS preferred; sponsorship possible for the right candidate).
• Proficiency in React + TypeScript, a modern back‑end language (Node.js, Python, or Java), and REST/GraphQL APIs.
• Experience with authentication standards (OAuth/OIDC).
• Hands‑on use of Jira (or similar), Git, and CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI).
• BA/BS in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Docker containers and basic Kubernetes concepts.
• Deployments on AWS, Azure, or GCP; familiarity with CI/CD automation in the cloud.
• Proven experience mentoring junior engineers or leading a small scrum team.

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

The description below provides further information on Draper's view of its senior staff members.

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.
• Drives solutions to complex problems, actively participate in requirements development, propose ways forward, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements.
• Contributes to system architecture decisions and leads the architecture of sub‑systems.
• Provides insight and suggest adaptations or modifications to processes and/or applications based on quantitative data or results.
• Identifies project technical risks and develops and executes mitigation strategies.
• Actively mentors less experienced staff and provides thoughtful, constructive feedback.
• Lead a small team of software developers on projects.

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.

Education

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

Experience

5-10 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 is preferred.

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