Senior Software Engineer (Ruby on Rails) - VA

IronArch Technology; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental and vision coverage

401(k) matching

PTO 20 days

Job summary

IronArch Technology is seeking a skilled Ruby on Rails Developer to design and implement production APIs that connect VA systems and external consumers. You will work hands-on on core services, review code with the tech lead, and ensure security, compatibility, and clear documentation throughout the API lifecycle.

You will participate in Tier 1/2 on-call rotations, monitor performance, and collaborate with VA stakeholders in an Agile environment to deliver robust, scalable solutions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Ruby on Rails development experience.
• Experience designing, building, and maintaining APIs that other systems depend on.
• Experience with relational DBs (PostgreSQL/MySQL).
• Strong communication and ability to lead while remaining hands-on.

Responsibilities

• Design and build APIs (REST/GraphQL) and data models.
• Write production-grade Ruby on Rails code for core services.
• Maintain API versioning and backward compatibility.
• Write and maintain RSpec test coverage; ensure security and governance.

Skills

Ruby on Rails

REST API design

GraphQL API design

Security best practices

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

PostgreSQL

MySQL

RSpec

Git

OAuth

Job description

Who We Are

IronArch is known for being a Best Place to Work and a People First company, IronArch Technology is an award-winning Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) specializing in delivering innovative technology solutions and world-class services to Federal Government clients.

Our employees have voted us as a Best Place to Work nine times, and IronArch is an INC 5000 recipient recognized as one of the fastest-growing businesses in the United States.

Our Values:

Deliver Outcomes with Speed | Own the Work and the Results | Respect People. Speak Directly. | Stay Curious. Enjoy the Journey.

What You'll Do

IronArch Technology is seeking a Ruby Developer to support the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). You will work on a VA program that modernizes access to VA data and services through secure, reliable, scalable application programming interfaces (APIs), improving how Veterans, partners, and internal VA teams reach the information they depend on.

You will join a small technical team of three to four developers that owns a set of production APIs end to end: design, development, integration, documentation, and ongoing maintenance. This is a hands-on engineering role. You will write production-grade Ruby on Rails code in the core services, review code with the technical lead, and work with the engineering lead and API architect on solution design. The APIs you build connect VA systems to each other and to external consumers, so security, backward compatibility, and clear documentation are part of the job, not an afterthought.

The team runs what it builds. You will take part in Tier 1 and Tier 2 on-call rotations, troubleshoot production issues, and keep the services healthy as they evolve.

Responsibilities

API Design & Development

• Design and build APIs, including specifications, endpoints, data models, and protocols such as REST and GraphQL.
• Contribute production-grade Ruby on Rails code for core services, staying hands-on in the codebase.
• Manage API versioning and preserve backward compatibility as services evolve.
• Implement enhancements based on stakeholder and consumer feedback.

Code Quality & Security

• Work with the technical lead on code reviews that hold the line on quality, maintainability, and security.
• Write and maintain RSpec test coverage alongside production code.
• Implement and uphold security best practices, including authentication, authorization, and encryption.
• Support the program's continuous Authority to Operate (cATO) posture by keeping services aligned with technical standards, governance, and compliance obligations.

Integration & Interoperability

• Ensure seamless integration of APIs with internal VA systems, external applications, and third-party services.
• Interface with external engineering teams to stay aligned on technical standards and integration patterns.
• Partner with the engineering lead and API architect to review solution designs and deliver robust, scalable services.

Operations & Support

• Monitor and optimize API performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Participate in Tier 1 and Tier 2 on-call operations.
• Troubleshoot production issues and see them through to root cause and resolution.

Documentation & Collaboration

• Create and maintain clear, comprehensive API documentation for consumers, including usage guidance and best practices.
• Promote the effective use of AI-enabled tools across the API development lifecycle to improve productivity and code quality.
• Work in an Agile delivery environment with product, engineering, and VA stakeholders.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of strong, hands-on Ruby on Rails development experience.
• Experience with relational databases such as PostgreSQL or MySQL.
• Experience with the RSpec testing framework.
• Strong experience designing, building, and maintaining APIs that other teams and systems depend on.
• Ability to provide technical leadership to engineering teammates while remaining hands-on with development.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain technical decisions to non-engineers.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

Technical Skills

• Ruby and Ruby on Rails
• REST and GraphQL API design and implementation
• PostgreSQL or MySQL, including schema design and query performance
• RSpec and test-driven development practices
• Git version control and pull-request-based workflows
• Authentication and authorization patterns, including OAuth

AI Capabilities

• Comfortable using AI coding assistants such as GitHub Copilot as a working tool for code generation, refactoring, test writing, and documentation.
• Able to set an example for the team on where AI tools help and where they do not.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with asynchronous job processing (for example, Sidekiq).
• Familiarity with Docker, Kubernetes, and Helm.
• Familiarity with application security principles and secure development practices.
• Experience with Java and Spring Boot.
• Experience deploying and operating services on AWS.
• Experience supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs or other Federal agencies.
• Experience operating services under a continuous Authority to Operate (cATO) or similar Federal compliance model.
• Experience working in a complex multi-vendor Federal program.

Clearance Requirements

• Public Trust Clearance or higher (ability to obtain and maintain, required background check).

Why IronArch Technology?

• Awarded Best Place to Work 9 times!
• Competitive compensation and market-leading bonus opportunities.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits with a significant portion of premiums subsidized by IronArch.
• Company-provided healthcare concierge assistance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching and immediate vesting.
• 20 days of PTO accrued annually.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Bereavement, jury duty, parental, and military leave.
• Sabbatical programs.
• Company-paid short-and long-term disability insurance.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Voluntary supplemental insurance options.
• Professional development reimbursement.
• Health club reimbursement.
• Matching charitable donation program and annual philanthropic activities.
• Pet insurance.
• And more!

$135,000 - $145,000

Equal Opportunity Employer

IronArch Technology is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law.

In alignment with applicable state and local pay transparency laws, IronArch includes a salary range in our job descriptions to support equity and transparency in our hiring process. The compensation range provided reflects what we reasonably expect to offer for this role, with the final offer determined by a variety of factors including skills, experience, and scope of responsibilities.