Lead Application Developer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $8,275.00 - $11,134.00 Monthly
Location : Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-06235
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: FTAA
Opening Date: 07/29/2026
Closing Date: 8/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Finance, Technology & Analytics Administration (FTAA) Lead Application Developer
Supports DSHS's Division of Child Support (DCS)
The Division of Child Support helps families by delivering reliable child support services that millions of people depend on each year. Behind those services are complex applications that must be secure, dependable, and ready to evolve as technology changes. Your work will help modernize the tools and processes that keep these critical systems running.
You will join a collaborative team that values knowledge sharing, respectful communication, curiosity, and continuous learning. Your ideas will help shape how applications are built and modernized, and your expertise will support developers across the DCS as they deliver reliable technology for Washington families.
As a Lead Application Developer, you will serve as a trusted technical resource across multiple development teams. You will help shape how software is built, tested, integrated, and delivered by improving automation, modernizing source control practices, and guiding application integration efforts. While this is not a supervisory role, you will provide technical leadership, share your expertise, and help teams adopt consistent, efficient development practices.
This opportunity offers statewide teleworking within Washington. You'll collaborate with talented technology professionals while helping improve services that make a meaningful difference for Washington families.
Some of what you will do

• Design, build, and maintain automated build pipelines, deployment processes, and supporting scripts that improve software delivery across multiple development teams.
• Modernize source control practices, including repository migration, branching strategies, and automation that improve reliability and consistency.
• Design application integration approaches that connect existing and modernized systems across multiple technology platforms.
• Reduce manual work by identifying opportunities to automate development and deployment processes.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues involving build automation, integration, and development tools.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, and knowledge sharing that helps development teams adopt consistent coding, automation, and source control practices.
• Evaluate new technologies, tools, and development approaches, and provide recommendations that support future modernization efforts.
• Contribute technical expertise for long-range planning, procurement, disaster recovery, legislative changes, and enterprise technology decisions while helping protect highly sensitive data.

Who should apply
We're looking for someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, improving how software is delivered, and helping others succeed.
Your success will depend on your experience in:

• Designing, developing, and supporting enterprise software across multiple technology platforms.
• Creating and maintaining build automation, continuous integration and delivery pipelines, deployment processes, and automation scripts.
• Working with source control systems such as Git and Subversion, including repository migration and branching strategies.
• Designing application integration approaches and working with interconnected systems.
• Using technologies such as PowerShell, Bash, Jenkins, GitHub Actions, .NET, Java, COBOL, Visual Basic, or similar development tools.
• Reviewing application architecture, dependencies, and technical approaches to support modernization efforts.
• Explaining technical concepts to people with different backgrounds and helping teams adopt new tools and practices.
• Working independently while contributing to large, complex technology efforts.
• Supporting secure application development and protecting sensitive information.
• Applying software development lifecycle practices and technology standards throughout the development process.

This role requires ten or more years of senior-level experience creating CI/CD software solutions. You may meet the requirements through several experience and education pathways, but the core requirement is extensive, practical experience supporting continuous integration and delivery for multiple platforms.
Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Providing IT support across highly regulated, compliance-driven environments including government and private-sector programs.
• Familiarity with IRS Pub 1075 or comparable regulatory frameworks for safeguarding sensitive data.
• Experience coaching or mentoring technical staff.
• Development of secure applications that protect confidential information.
• Modern software development practices across cloud, web, client/server, and mainframe environments.
• A continuous improvement mindset and a willingness to explore new technologies that improve quality, security, and efficiency.

This job is classified as IT Application Development-Senior/Specialist. Another Division of Information Technology .
DSHS partners with people to access support, care, and resources. Questions? Please contact Recruiter, Jenny, at or 360-725-5810 and reference #06235. Learn more about
The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vac