Full Stack Developer

Job Title: Full Stack Developer

Job Description

This Full Stack Developer role focuses on designing, building, and modernizing mission-critical software systems that support unmanned aerial and surface vehicle platforms. You will work across the full technology stack—embedded components, backend services, and modern web front ends—to deliver secure, scalable, and production-ready solutions. The position combines hands-on software development, system architecture, containerization, and DevSecOps practices in a fast-paced, well-funded environment that values engineering judgment, technical ownership, and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain mission software and distributed systems that support UAV and USV platforms, including real-time data processing, system orchestration, and web-based control interfaces.
• Develop embedded software components and integrate them with higher-level distributed services and system control architectures.
• Build backend services, APIs, and user interfaces that support command, control, monitoring, and data visualization capabilities.
• Collaborate closely with Systems Engineering and software engineers to implement software architectures that fully trace to customer requirements and specifications.
• Develop responsive web-based user interfaces using modern front-end frameworks such as React, Angular, Vue, or similar JavaScript technologies.
• Generate use cases, define interfaces, contribute to software design, and analyze and develop software requirements for full-stack solutions.
• Containerize legacy software applications and associated services using modern container technologies to enable migration from hardware-dependent deployments to scalable, server-based infrastructures.
• Lead efforts to port legacy hardware-bound or monolithic applications into modular, containerized architectures suitable for secure on-premises or cloud-hosted environments.
• Support modernization initiatives that transition legacy systems into secure, maintainable, and production-ready containerized environments.
• Design, develop, and maintain relational and NoSQL databases, including schema design, data modeling, SQL queries, migrations, and performance optimization.
• Support deployment and testing activities in secure Linux-based environments while ensuring compliance with applicable cybersecurity and STIG requirements.
• Assist in automating build, deployment, and monitoring pipelines using modern DevSecOps practices to enable secure and repeatable software releases.
• Contribute to the implementation of Infrastructure as Code strategies for development, test, and production environments.
• Support accreditation activities by contributing to documentation and remediation required for Government system approval processes.
• Develop secure, production-ready software by applying secure coding practices and implementing role-based access control, audit logging, dependency scanning, and vulnerability identification and remediation throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot complex distributed, containerized, or embedded systems and provide effective resolutions to technical issues.
• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary integrated product team environment to support hardware and software integration.
• Communicate technical status, risks, and progress clearly to engineering leadership and Government stakeholders.
• Adapt to changing program priorities and support rapid prototyping and iterative development cycles within an Agile/Scrum environment.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 3–12 years of professional experience developing distributed, embedded, or mission-critical software systems.
• Hands-on full stack development experience covering front-end and back-end software, including understanding of data flow and basic database query development.
• Experience modernizing legacy software systems or migrating applications to containerized or server-based environments.
• Experience working in Linux-based environments and supporting secure system deployments.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker or similar platforms.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code tools and approaches.
• Proficiency with Java or similar backend technologies for building services and APIs.
• Proficiency with JavaScript and modern front-end frameworks such as React, Angular, or Vue for building responsive user interfaces.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with demonstrated experience troubleshooting complex distributed, containerized, or embedded systems.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment that supports hardware and software integration.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to brief technical status to engineering leadership and Government stakeholders.
• Ability to independently develop and deliver assigned software features and components while working under established technical direction.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and support rapid prototyping and iterative development within Agile/Scrum environments.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally and obtain a passport.
• U.S. citizenship, as required by applicable federal contract requirements for this position.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with DevSecOps practices, including automated build, deployment, and monitoring pipelines.
• Familiarity with DoD cybersecurity requirements, STIG remediation, or secure system hardening.
• Experience implementing secure coding practices, role-based access control, audit logging, dependency scanning, and vulnerability remediation.
• Exposure to embedded systems, signal processing, or hardware/software integration.
• Experience designing and maintaining relational and NoSQL databases, including schema design, data modeling, and performance tuning.
• Experience contributing to accreditation support activities and compliance documentation for Government systems.
• Experience working in fast-paced, agile engineering environments that emphasize rapid prototyping and iterative delivery.

Work Environment

The role operates in a fast-paced, scrappy, startup-style environment that is well-funded and highly mission-focused. Engineers work on mission-critical, nationally significant programs and are trusted with substantial technical ownership and creative freedom. The culture values engineering judgment over bureaucracy, allowing teams to move quickly and innovate without constant external oversight. You will have direct access to advanced tools and technologies, with the ability to secure resources rapidly and avoid typical supply-chain delays. Work is highly visible and impactful, enabling you to see the real-world results of your contributions while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams across software, hardware, and systems engineering.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of California, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $53.00 - $86.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in California,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 15, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.