Contribute to high-impact government services by supporting critical workflows, improving system reliability, and advancing automation efforts
Code for America software engineers are involved in every stage of our products’ lifecycle, from prototyping and design, to developing features in response to user feedback, to operating technical systems at scale.
Support organization-wide technical efforts and strengthen our software engineering teams as internal champions and subject matter experts for specific technology domains, tools, and processes.
Report to the Senior Director of Engineering and is expected to travel no more than 10% of the time.
Every Staff Engineer at Code for America has a specialty area for which they act as a Subject Matter Expert in contexts and conversations across the organization.
Craft new features that help users more easily navigate government services and receive a dignified experience.
Write automated tests and develop monitoring strategies to ensure a high level of service quality.
Implement minimal features to maximize learning, and then harden features to scale when we know they work.
Support Engineering’s culture of writing by producing quality documentation and learning materials for internal and external audiences.
Be a friendly face, eager collaborator, and mentor for other software engineers in your particular area of expertise.

Requirements

10+ years of full-stack web development experience, with strong expertise in system architecture, data modeling, and API design
6+ years of experience developing and supporting multilingual web applications
6+ years working with Agile Software Development models like Scrum, XP, TDD, or BDD
Demonstrable expert-level skills in applied computer science and web fundamentals, including data structures, design patterns, and application architecture
Eager for collaboration with peers, and providing technical and professional mentorship.
Truly excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
Expert understanding and experience communicating with cross-functional peers, and in translating those conversations into actionable tasks
This specific Staff Software Engineer should have specialized expertise in:
Javascript / Typescript/ Web-based software engineering with an emphasis on browser experiences.
Experience with JavaScript and its derivatives, including both modern frameworks (React, Vue, etc) and ‘vanilla’ patterns and tools.
Solid Understanding of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
Proven experience conducting experience evaluations or audits for accessibility
Understanding of UX patterns and principles, and in translating product and UX requirements into actionable tasks.
Evaluating, investigating, and optimizing client experience and code performance in front-end code.

Benefits

Leadership and teammates who share a strong work ethic and values, and who respect and care for one another
A collaborative, cross-functional, hardworking, and joyful environment
Laptop provided
A one-time $700 payment for remote environment setup; $200 stipend (in first paycheck) and up to $500 reimbursement, in accordance with our equipment policy
Cell phone and/or internet reimbursement of $50 per month
$500 annual (per calendar year) stipend towards professional development; prorated at time of hire
Up to $500 of professional development funds can be rolled over each year, up to a maximum of $1000
Training / guidance for staff required to utilize AI as part of their role, plus opportunities for employees to gain AI-related skills to support job and career growth
Employees receive a 100% employer match on the first 3% of contributions.
Employees with 3+ years of service receive an additional 50% match on contributions between 3% and 5%, for a maximum employer contribution of 5%
At least one no cost health insurance option for full-time employees for employee-only coverage
A minimum of 80% of the cost of dependent coverage
Code for America employees may work remotely across the US
Code for America employees main residence must be within the US
Full-time employees work 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday
Collaborative working hours: we aim to hold all internal meetings between 10 AM - 3 PM PT. We expect all Code for America staff to be available during these set working hours
Open personal time off (subject to manager approval), a minimum of 14 paid holidays, and an org-wide closure from Christmas Day through New Year's Day
Paid sick time; up to 96 hours annually
17 weeks of paid parental and family leave
3 weeks of paid sabbatical after 5 years of service

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

full-stack web developmentsystem architecturedata modelingAPI designAgile Software DevelopmentScrumXPTDDBDDJavaScript

Soft Skills

collaborationmentorshipwritten communicationverbal communicationcross-functional communicationactionable task translationeager collaborationuser experience evaluationdocumentation productionteam support