Software Engineer (DEA) - Java Developer & Pega Integration

hatch I.T.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

hatch I.T. partners with Expression to identify a DevOps Engineer who will support the DEA Investigative Case and Data Ecosystem modernisation. You will design, build, test, and maintain Java-based applications in a mission-critical, secure environment.

You will collaborate with software developers, Pega teammates, QA, and DevOps, contribute to CI/CD, monitoring, testing, and ensure alignment with federal cybersecurity requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and 2+ years of professional experience.
• 2+ years of professional experience in software development, DevSecOps, or related field.
• Strong proficiency in Java development for production-ready applications.
• Experience with Pega or integrating Java with Pega-based workflows/services/APIs.
• Familiarity with Git and modern version-control workflows (branching, PRs, code review).
• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines, automated builds, and Agile development methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain Java-based applications with a focus on scalability and maintainability.
• Analyze requirements and translate them into technical solutions for a DEA Investigative Case ecosystem.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Pega, QA, DevOps, and product owners to deliver software features.
• Support Agile development activities, CI/CD, and iterative sprint cycles.
• Debug, troubleshoot, and optimize applications to improve reliability and performance.
• Participate in peer code reviews and contribute to coding standards and best practices.
• Support deployment activities across development, testing, and production environments.
• Work with QA to validate functionality and resolve defects; support security and interoperability testing.
• Utilize monitoring and logging to identify performance issues and bottlenecks.
• Assist with API integrations and secure software-development practices aligned with cybersecurity requirements.

Skills

Java development

DevOps practices

CI/CD pipelines

Collaborative teamwork

Security/compliance awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Tools

Git

Pega

REST APIs

Docker/Kubernetes

Job description

hatch I.T. is partnering with Expression to find a Software Engineer. See details below:

About The Role:

Expression is seeking a DevOps Engineer to support the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Investigative Case and Data Ecosystem (ICDE) modernization effort. This program is focused on modernizing DEA's case management capabilities and creating a centralized, secure, scalable ecosystem supporting law enforcement, investigative, forensic, and intelligence missions.

The DevOps Engineer will support the development, integration, testing, deployment, and maintenance of Java-based applications within this mission‑critical environment. The engineer will collaborate with software developers, Pega developers, QA engineers, DevOps personnel, and product stakeholders to deliver secure, maintainable, and high‑performing capabilities.

Location and Clearance:

• Location: Arlington, VA. The program is primarily onsite at DEA Headquarters.

About the Company:

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Washington DC, Expression provides data fusion, data analytics, software engineering, information technology, and electromagnetic spectrum management solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State, and national security community. Expression’s “Perpetual Innovation” culture focuses on creating immediate and sustainable value for their clients via agile delivery of tailored solutions built through constant engagement with their clients. Expression was ranked #1 on the Washington Technology 2018's Fast 50 list of fastest growing small business Government contractors and a Top 20 Big Data Solutions Provider by CIO Review.

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, test, and maintain Java-based applications, delivering high-quality, scalable, and maintainable code.
• Analyze user, business, and system requirements and translate them into effective technical solutions supporting DEA's investigative case-management ecosystem.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including Pega developers, QA engineers, DevOps personnel, product owners, and other technical stakeholders, to deliver scalable and high‑performing software features.
• Support Agile development activities, including iterative sprint execution, continuous integration and deployment, demonstrations, reviews, and incorporation of stakeholder feedback. The SOO establishes Agile development and regular sprint cycles as part of the program's delivery approach.
• Debug, troubleshoot, and optimize applications to improve system reliability, availability, performance, and maintainability.
• Participate in peer code reviews and contribute to coding standards, development best practices, and technical and architectural discussions.
• Support application build, integration, release, and deployment activities across development, testing, and production environments.
• Work closely with QA teams to validate functionality, reproduce reported issues, resolve defects, and support rigorous functionality, security, reliability, and interoperability testing.
• Utilize application monitoring, logging, and related observability tools to identify system performance issues, failures, and bottlenecks.
• Support CI/CD pipelines, automated builds, testing, configuration management, and repeatable software deployment processes.
• Assist with application integrations and APIs supporting interoperability with Pega and other enterprise or federal systems.
• Contribute to secure software-development and deployment practices consistent with the program's federal cybersecurity requirements, including FISMA, NIST, FedRAMP High, CJIS, continuous monitoring, and Zero Trust principles.
• Support technical documentation, configuration documentation, run instructions, change logs, and other software lifecycle artifacts as required by the program.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree on STEM fields and 2+ years of professional experience.
• 2+ years of professional experience in software development, DevSecOps, application engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Strong proficiency in Java development, including experience building production-ready applications.
• Experience with Pega or integrating Java applications with Pega-based workflows, services, or APIs.
• Ability to develop high-quality, scalable, maintainable code using established software engineering practices.
• Familiarity with Git and modern version-control workflows, including branching, pull requests, code review, and collaborative development.
• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines, automated builds, software deployment practices, and Agile development methodologies.
• Understanding of software testing, debugging, troubleshooting, and defect-resolution practices.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional technical teams and communicate technical concepts clearly.
• Ability to support work in an environment with stringent security, privacy, auditing, and system-reliability requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with Pega PRPC (Pega Rules Process Commander).
• Knowledge of Pega BPM concepts, including case management, rule sets, and workflow design.
• Hands‑on experience integrating Pega applications using REST or SOAP APIs.
• Pega certifications such as Certified System Architect (CSA) or Certified Senior System Architect (CSSA).
• Exposure to DevOps/DevSecOps practices and automated software delivery.
• Experience or exposure to cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure.
• Experience with containerized environments and technologies such as Docker or Kubernetes.
• Exposure to application monitoring, centralized logging, automated testing, or continuous‑monitoring solutions.
• Experience supporting Federal Government applications or environments with formal cybersecurity and compliance requirements.