Junior Web Developer/Engineer

Junior Web Developer/Engineer - Contingent

Aretum · McLean, United States (Remote) · Full-time · Posted 2026-11-13

Workplace: remote

Department: Content Management System

Description

Public Trust Eligibility Required

This is a contingent position, meaning employment is dependent upon the successful award of the associated contract to Aretum and completion of any required background investigation or security clearance verification. 

About Aretum

Aretum is a mission-driven organization committed to delivering innovative, technology-enabled solutions to our customers across defense, civilian, and homeland security sectors. Our teams work at the intersection of strategy, technology, and transformation, helping agencies solve their most critical challenges. We believe in investing in our people and creating a culture where collaboration, inclusion, and professional growth are at the forefront. 

Job Summary

Aretum is looking for a skilled web developer to develop, maintain, and update a number of client websites and applications. The ideal candidate has extensive experience developing database-driven web applications using PHP and MySQL in a Linux environment, with intermediate to advanced skills in HTML/CSS, JavaScript/jQuery/AJAX, SQL, shell scripting, and PHP. This role requires the ability to navigate Linux, including shell commands and using vi, emacs, or something similar. Additional responsibilities include database management, security patching, monitoring applications, working with containers, and automation using tools like Jenkins, GitLab runners, and CI/CD.  

Due to the nature of our work as a federal consulting organization, employees may be expected to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and must adhere to applicable safeguarding and compliance requirements.  

Responsibilities

• Support a portfolio of 25+ PHP websites and several database-driven web applications, mainly MySQL, and possibly Oracle and Postgres databases
• Maintain, enhance, and rewrite existing code
• Write clean, modular, and efficient server-side PHP code to power application features, business logic, and dynamic web pages
• Design, create, upgrade, and manage relational databases (such as MySQL or PostgreSQL), write optimized SQL queries, and maintain data integrity and schemas; ensure passwords are updated and secure
• Design, develop, and consume RESTful APIs, work with modern PHP frameworks (such as Laravel, Symfony, or Yii), and integrate third-party web services
• Connect server-side logic with client-side elements by writing or integrating HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript
• Deploy sites and applications to web servers (like Apache or NGINX), manage version control via Git, and provide ongoing updates, bug fixes, and legacy code refactoring
• Assist with automating CI/CD pipelines leveraging tools like Jenkins/Ansible/Terraform/Docker
• Debug existing code, perform unit and integration testing, and resolve application or performance bottlenecks
• Handle user authentication, authorization, data validation, and protect applications against common web vulnerabilities (like SQL injection, XSS, and CSRF), ensure IT security compliance, and remediate security scans
• Implement and enhance monitoring of web applications using Prometheus and Grafana
• Support, maintain, and enhance the current Solr Search platform
• Assist the team in improving and maintaining server content management and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) applications

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• 3 years of development experience with OOP 
• 2 years of experience with PHP or Python programming  
• 2 years of experience managing relational DBMSs such as MySQL/MariaDB/POSTGREL/Oracle 
• Experience with modern web application architecture (frontend, backend, APIs) 
• Expertise in creating cross-browser-compatible HTML web pages using modern techniques and technologies 
• Experience with PHP frameworks (CodeIgniter, Laravel, Zend, or similar) 
• Expertise in troubleshooting and debugging issues across various applications and tech stacks 
• Experience with containers (Docker) and automation using tools like Jenkins, GitLab runners, and CI/CD
• Experience with IT security best practices for web development, such as preventing SQL Injection remediation and Cross-Site Scripting
• Experience with implementing input Sanitization, Transport Layer Security, Dependency Management, hot fixes, and patching 
• Proficiency with Smarty template engine or similar 
• Familiarity with modern JS frameworks (jQuery, AngularJS, ReactJS, etc.) 
• Familiarity with libraries such as Bootstrap, Material Design 
• Proficient understanding of code versioning tools, such as Git, GitLab 
• Understanding of W3C standards and UI/UX design 

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to write clean code (formatting, comments, standards) 
• Ability to work with existing code and knowledge of web application optimization techniques
• Experience with Linux server administration, e.g., Apache config files, MySQL configuration, and general system admin tasks for regular Linux servers and Docker containers
• Experience with developing or managing enterprise search technologies like SOLR or Elasticsearch 
• Experience implementing Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment strategies / Kubernetes

Travel Requirements

This is a remote position; however, occasional travel may be required based on project needs, client meetings, team collaboration events, or training sessions. Travel is expected to be less than 10% and will be communicated in advance whenever possible. 

EEO Statement  

Aretum is committed to fostering a workplace rooted in excellence, integrity, and equal opportunity for all. We adhere to merit-based hiring practices, ensuring that all employment decisions are made based on qualifications, skills, and ability to perform the job, without preference or consideration of factors unrelated to job performance. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Aretum complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. 

We are proud to support our nation’s veterans and military families, providing career opportunities that honor their service and experience. 

If you require reasonable accommodation during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact [email protected] for assistance. 

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled 

U.S. Work Authorization

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. This position supports a federal government contract and requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or Suitability Determination, depending on the agency’s background investigation requirements. Sponsorship is not available.

Benefits

• Salary Range: $75,000–$100,000 annually. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including education, experience, qualifications, skills, and applicable contract requirements.  

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)   

• Retirement Plan (401k)  

• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)   

• Paid Time Off  

• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)   

• Short Term & Long-Term Disability   

• Training & Development

Apply

Apply at Aretum

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