Contractual Python Django Developer Jobs in Washington, DC

Job Family:

Software Development & Support (Digital)

Travel Required:

None

Clearance Required:

Ability to Obtain Public Trust

We are seeking a highly skilled Full Stack & DevOps Engineer to support the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Office of Computer and Communications Systems (OCCS) projects. The role involves building and modernizing web applications, enabling interoperability across NIH systems, and operating secure, automated cloud infrastructure. The ideal candidate has deep hands-on experience across Python/Django, Java (Spring Boot), Node.js (Express/NestJS), modern JavaScript frameworks, Angular, AWS, MongoDB, and Selenium-based test automation, combined with mature DevOps practices.

What You Will Do

• Design, build, and maintain backend services in Python/Django, Java Spring Boot, and Node.js, exposing secure REST/GraphQL APIs.

• Develop responsive frontends using React or Angular aligned with USWDS and accessibility standards.

• Implement automated test suites with Selenium/WebDriver; maintain cross-browser and regression testing coverage.

• Operate and evolve AWS-hosted environments; implement IaC for repeatable, compliant deployments.

• Build CI/CD pipelines; enforce code quality, security scans, and automated packaging/deployment.

• Administer MongoDB clusters; optimize queries, indexes, and backups; manage relational databases as needed.

• Monitor and troubleshoot services using CloudWatch/ELK/OpenSearch; drive performance tuning and resilience.

• Collaborate with and cross-functional teams to deliver interoperable solutions and shared components.

• Document architecture, runbooks, and SOPs; mentor junior engineers and contribute to standards and governance.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.

• Minimum of FIVE (5) years of full-stack engineering experience across backend and frontend.

• Strong understanding of RESTful API design and integration.

• Strong programming skills in Python (Django/FastAPI), Java (Spring Boot/Quarkus), and Node.js (Express/NestJS).

• Frontend development with modern JavaScript/TypeScript frameworks (React or Angular) and core web technologies (HTML, CSS, JS).

• Hands-on experience with AWS services (EC2, S3, RDS/Aurora, Lambda, CloudFront, IAM).

• Database expertise including MongoDB (schema design, indexing, performance tuning) and relational databases (PostgreSQL/Oracle/MySQL).

• Test automation using Selenium/WebDriver, including cross-browser testing and Selenium Grid.

• DevOps: CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI/GitHub Actions/Jenkins), containerization (Docker), orchestration (Kubernetes), and artifact management.

• Infrastructure as Code (Terraform or AWS CloudFormation).

• Secure authentication/authorization (OAuth2.0, SSO), Zero Trust-aligned practices, and adherence to NIH security requirements.

• Accessibility compliance with Section 508/USWDS for federal UI standards.

• Proficiency in Git-based version control and collaborative development.

• Strong troubleshooting skills across Linux, networking, performance, and observability.

• Must be eligible for a Public Trust clearance and complete federal background screening.

What Would Be Nice to Have

• Experience integrating with ServiceNow or similar workflow automation tools.

• Elasticsearch/OpenSearch, Redis, and message queues (SQS/SNS/Kafka).

• Advanced Kubernetes (Helm, operators) and service mesh (Istio).

• Security automation, secrets management, and compliance tooling.

• Exposure to NIH/NLM applications (e.g., MedlinePlus, DOCLINE, DiscoverWHR).

The annual salary range for this position is $98,000.00-$163,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays

• Parental Leave

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Group Term Life and Travel Assistance

• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance

• Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

• Transit and Parking Commuter Benefits

• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development, Certifications & Learning Opportunities

• Employee Referral Program

• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach

• Care.com annual membership

• Employee Assistance Program

• Supplemental Benefits via Corestream (Critical Care, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance and ID theft protection, etc.)

• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer-Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@guidehouse.com. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or guidehouse@myworkday.com. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse's Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact recruiting@guidehouse.com. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant's dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.