Peraton

Runs and secures technology for federal agencies

Lead Application Developer

Backend EngineeringPosted on Nov 9

Full-timeSuitland-Silver Hill, MD, USA

About the Job

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree and 12 years of experience, an Associate's degree and 14 years of experience, or a high school diploma/equivalent and 16 years of experience are required.
U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a Public Trust are required.
At least 12 years of experience in software development, application engineering, or enterprise application modernization is required.
Experience leading application development teams supporting large-scale federal IT modernization or transformation initiatives is required.
Experience designing, developing, and modernizing enterprise-grade cloud-native applications is required.
Experience modernizing legacy or commercial off-the-shelf applications into open-source, microservices-based architectures is required.
Experience with APIs, distributed integrations, event-driven architectures, and messaging systems is required.
Experience implementing DevSecOps practices and continuous integration/continuous delivery pipelines within secure environments is required.
Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies, including Docker and Kubernetes, is required.
Experience with data integration, ingestion, extract-transform-load pipelines, data transformation, and dissemination workflows is required.
Experience with infrastructure automation and Infrastructure as Code, including Terraform, is required.
Working knowledge of federal security and compliance requirements, including NIST, FedRAMP, FISMA, Zero Trust, multi-factor authentication, and Authority to Operate processes, is required.
Experience supporting highly available, scalable, and resilient applications, including performance optimization, is required.
Experience working in Agile/Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework development environments is required.

Responsibilities

Lead development and modernization of enterprise applications within a cloud-native ecosystem.
Refactor legacy and commercial off-the-shelf applications into modular, microservices-based architectures using open-source technologies.
Design, develop, and integrate APIs, event-driven services, and messaging-based systems.
Develop secure, scalable, and highly available applications supporting high-volume and near-real-time processing.
Contribute to artificial intelligence and machine learning-enabled application workflows, including model integration and deployment support.
Build and maintain continuous integration/continuous delivery pipelines supporting automated testing, deployment, and security validation.
Implement DevSecOps best practices, including secure software development lifecycle practices, automated scanning, and compliance validation.
Support system-of-systems integration across multiple applications, contractors, and technical teams.
Ensure applications align with federal security and compliance requirements, including NIST, FedRAMP, FISMA, Zero Trust, multi-factor authentication, and Authority to Operate support processes.
Design and support data ingestion, extract-transform-load pipelines, transformation, analytics, and dissemination capabilities.
Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues across application, infrastructure, integration, and data layers.
Lead code reviews, mentor developers, and enforce engineering standards and best practices.
Collaborate within Agile/Scrum and Scaled Agile Framework delivery environments to support consistent execution and delivery quality.

Desired Qualifications

Experience supporting large-scale federal statistical, Census, or other mission-critical modernization programs.
Cloud certifications in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
Experience integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities into enterprise applications.
Experience with Apache Kafka or other large-scale event-streaming technologies.
Experience supporting complex system-of-systems integration initiatives.

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Responsibilities

Peraton is looking for a Lead Application Developer to join our team of qualified and diverse individuals. This person will lead the design, development, modernization, and integration of enterprise applications supporting mission-critical federal operations.

This role requires a technically hands-on leader who can drive delivery across modern cloud-native environments while working closely with architects, engineers, product teams, and external partners. You will contribute directly to application development, modernization strategy, DevSecOps adoption, and system integration efforts.

You are expected to move beyond feature delivery—ensuring applications are scalable, secure, resilient, and aligned to evolving mission and compliance requirements.

Location: Suitland, MD (Hybrid)

Day to Day Roles and Responsibilities:

Lead development and modernization of enterprise applications within a cloud-native ecosystem

Refactor legacy and COTS applications into modular, microservices-based architectures using open-source technologies

Design, develop, and integrate APIs, event-driven services, and messaging-based systems

Develop secure, scalable, and highly available applications supporting high-volume and near real-time processing

Contribute to AI/ML-enabled application workflows, including model integration and deployment support

Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines supporting automated testing, deployment, and security validation

Implement DevSecOps best practices, including secure SDLC, automated scanning, and compliance validation

Support system-of-systems integration across multiple applications, contractors, and technical teams

Ensure applications align with federal security and compliance requirements, including NIST, FedRAMP, FISMA, Zero Trust, MFA, and ATO support processes

Design and support data ingestion, ETL pipelines, transformation, analytics, and dissemination capabilities

Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues across application, infrastructure, integration, and data layers

Lead code reviews, mentor developers, and enforce engineering standards and best practices

Collaborate within Agile/Scrum and SAFe delivery environments to ensure consistent execution and delivery quality

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelors degree and 12 years of experience or an Associates degree and 14 years of experience or a High School diploma/equivalent and 16 years of experience.
Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a Public Trust
12+ years of experience in software development, application engineering, or enterprise application modernization.
Demonstrated experience leading application development teams supporting large-scale federal IT modernization or transformation initiatives.
Proven experience designing, developing, and modernizing enterprise-grade, cloud-native applications.
Experience modernizing legacy or COTS applications into open-source, microservices-based architectures.
Experience with APIs, distributed integrations, event-driven architectures, and messaging systems.
Experience implementing DevSecOps practices and CI/CD pipelines within secure environments.
Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies, including Docker and Kubernetes.
Experience with data integration, ingestion, ETL pipelines, data transformation, and dissemination workflows.
Experience with infrastructure automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC), including Terraform.
Working knowledge of federal security and compliance requirements, including NIST, FedRAMP, FISMA, Zero Trust, MFA, and Authority to Operate (ATO) processes.
Experience supporting highly available, scalable, and resilient applications, including performance optimization.
Experience working in Agile/Scrum and SAFe development environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience supporting large-scale federal statistical, Census, or other mission-critical modernization programs.
Cloud certifications in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
Experience integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning capabilities into enterprise applications.
Experience with Apache Kafka or other large-scale event-streaming technologies.
Experience supporting complex system-of-systems integration initiatives.

Target Salary Range

$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
Benefits Statement

Peraton offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, health savings account, short/long term disability, EAP, parental leave, 401(k), paid time off (PTO) for vacation, and company paid holidays. A full listing of available benefits can be viewed at https://www.careers.peraton.com/benefits.

Application Statements

The application period for the job is estimated to be 30 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in the role and the Company. During the review of your application, you may be required to participate in an on-camera interview, as well as participate in a process to verify your identity.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools of any kind during Peraton interviews is strictly prohibited unless the candidate has obtained prior written authorization. All interview responses must be the candidate’s own.

EEO

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.

About the Company

Peraton

Runs and secures technology for federal agencies

Peraton builds and runs secure technology for American defense, intelligence, space, and civilian agencies, from military networks to satellite ground stations. In 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration chose it to manage the overhaul of the nation's air traffic control system, replacing copper wiring with fiber and upgrading radar and radios. Its engineers, many holding security clearances, run and defend agency networks and data centers, write mission software, and operate space and communications systems, and agencies pay for this work through multiyear contracts. Peraton was formed in 2017, when private-equity firm Veritas Capital bought Harris Corporation's government IT business, and is based in Reston, Virginia.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: Grant
Total funding: $60M
Headquarters: Reston, VA
Founded: 2017

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