Back End Python Developer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

COMPANY OVERVIEW

XCEL Engineering, Inc. is an award-winning small business that provides trusted information technology, engineering, consulting and project management solutions and services to federal agencies and organizations. Originally founded in 1971 by professional engineers at the University of Tennessee, XCEL was acquired in 2003 by U.S. Army and Navy veterans and in 2023 became a MartinFed company.

XCEL Engineering is a part of IT Lab Partners (ITLP) which was created to support Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in recruiting the best and the brightest technical talent to East Tennessee region. ORNL delivers scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs needed to realize energy and national security solutions and provides economic benefit to the nation. This premier research institution near Knoxville in Oak Ridge, TN, addresses national needs through impactful research and world-leading research centers.

Considering joining our impressive team supporting ORNL today!

JOB OVERVIEW

XCEL Engineering is seeking a versatile Full Stack Software Engineer to support multiple concurrent software projects within a Department of Energy (DOE) Research & Development environment. This role requires an on-site presence and close collaboration with technical teams, stakeholders, and government clients. The ideal candidate is comfortable working across the entire development lifecycle from gathering client requirements and translating concepts into technical designs, through development, testing, deployment, and long-term support. Candidates must be adaptable, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a structured, security-focused environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborate with government clients and internal stakeholders to gather, analyze, and refine technical and functional requirements.
  
• Design, architect, and develop full-stack applications from concept to completion.
  
• Work on multiple simultaneous projects with varying timelines and technical scopes.
  
• Develop scalable backend services and APIs.
  
• Build responsive, user-friendly front-end interfaces aligned with UI/UX best practices.
  
• Participate in code reviews, testing, debugging, and performance optimization.
  
• Maintain documentation for system architecture, code, and processes.
  
• Ensure compliance with security, privacy, and operational standards required in a federal R&D environment.
  
• Provide ongoing maintenance, enhancements, and technical support for deployed applications.
  

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific field or equivalent combination of education and experience coupled with 8 years of software development experience.
• Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 3+ years of professional full-stack development experience
  • JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, SQL
  • Backend Frameworks-Fast API
  • Frontend FrameworksVue.js 2 & Vue.js 3
  • State Management-Pinia
  • UI Libraries-Vuetify
  • Databases-PostgreSQL
  • Other Technologies-GraphQL
• Demonstrated experience delivering production-ready applications end-to-end.
• Strong communication skills and ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required facility clearances or background checks.
• Work Environment On-site presence is required due to the secure nature of the facility.
• Collaborative, mission-driven R&D atmosphere.
• Opportunity to contribute to projects with national-level impact and long-term technical value.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Java development experience
• Experience working in government, national laboratory, or regulated environments
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
• Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)Experience with automated testing frameworks

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• Inside office environment.
• Working on a computer for long periods of time.
• May involve long period of sitting at a desk.
• The work environment is fast-paced and sometimes involves extreme deadline pressures.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Xcel Engineering is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, protected Veteran Status, genetics or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Xcel Engineering's current openings as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by calling 855.212.1810. Thank you for your interest in Xcel Engineering.

All positions at Xcel Engineering, Inc. are contingent upon passing both a background check and drug screening prior to a start date and are subject to random drug screenings during the employment period. In addition, Xcel Engineering is an E-Verify employer.