Data Science & AI Branch Full Stack Developer

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division (JOID) provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.

SPA's NATO Allied Command Transformation Group, within JOID, provides capability development, portfolio management, program management, quality management, cost estimation analysis, standardization, reporting, software solutions and information management, and capability management support. We also provide an improved capability requirements capture process, including the generation, documentation and tracing of user requirements, with appropriate technical scrutiny, over the entire lifecycle of the requirements from capability definition through capability realization and capability usage.

We have a near-term need for a Data Science & AI Branch Full Stack Developer to provide onsite support in Norfolk, VA.

The Data Science & AI Branch Full Stack Developer will design, develop, and maintain secure, scalable, and high-performance front-end and back-end systems to support AI applications, using existing applications as a reference models. Build and maintain web-based user interfaces (UI) and dashboards for secure interaction with AI capabilities, tailored for classified environments. Develop and optimise server-side logic, APIs, and services to integrate AI functionalities seamlessly across workflows and systems. Implement authentication and access control mechanisms to ensure secure and compliant use of systems, aligning with data sovereignty policies. Design and develop containerised application environments (e.g., Docker) and integrate them with orchestration tools (e.g., Kubernetes) to ensure scalability and high availability. Collaborate with data engineers and AI engineers to integrate data pipelines, inference mechanisms, and AI model outputs into front-end and back-end systems. Develop robust error handling, logging, and performance monitoring solutions across the application stack to ensure reliable operation of platforms. Ensure compliance with security and privacy standards by implementing secure coding practices at all stages of development. Build automated testing frameworks to validate the stability, security, and performance of full-stack systems. Improve the scalability and flexibility of architectures by designing modular and reusable components across the stack. Provide support for the deployment, maintenance, and troubleshooting of systems in classified operational environments. Participate in the development of Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and prototypes, assisting in delivering innovative solutions for mission objectives. Produce and maintain detailed documentation of development workflows, APIs, system architectures, and configurations to ensure knowledge continuity and operational transparency. Stay current with emerging tools and methods for full-stack development, enabling enhanced functionality and secure deployment. Support internal training efforts related to full-stack development, secure coding practices, and application management.

Required:

• Citizenship of one of the NATO member countries.
• Active NATO Secret-level security clearance or valid national Secret clearance.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related discipline OR 4+ years of professional experience in full-stack development within the last 6 years.
• Proven experience in full-stack development roles, including the design, development, and deployment of secure and scalable web applications within the last four years.
• Expertise in front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and modern frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.
• Proficiency in server-side programming with languages like Python, Node.js, Java, or .NET for building secure and high-performance back-end systems.
• Experience designing and consuming RESTful and GraphQL APIs, ensuring efficient and secure interaction with components.
• Strong understanding of database technologies, including relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL) and NoSQL options (e.g., MongoDB, DynamoDB).
• Knowledge of containerization and orchestration technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) to support scalable and resilient full-stack deployments.
• Familiarity with secure software development practices and frameworks, including OWASP guidance and security standards for sensitive systems.
• Demonstrated ability to implement automated testing frameworks (e.g., Jest, Selenium, or Cypress) to ensure system reliability and security.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to document workflows and collaborate across software development, AI engineering, and operations teams.
• Experience working within NATO environments or demonstrated familiarity with NATO processes, workflows, and organizational structures.
• Able to work fully onsite based on client needs.

Desired:

• Experience integrating AI/ML model outputs into web applications, including optimising model-driven UI/UX elements for real-time interaction.
• Working knowledge of cloud services such as Microsoft Azure or AWS for deploying secure front-end/back-end systems.
• Familiarity with visualisation tools and libraries (e.g., D3.js, Chart.js, Plotly, ggplot2) for presenting actionable insights.
• Experience with agile methods and DevSecOps workflows to optimise team collaboration and secure deployment practices.
• Familiarity with classified networks and regulations concerning authentication, access control, and cybersecurity.
• Capability to create intuitive visual interfaces and dashboards catering to both technical and non-technical users.
• Eligibility and prior experience working with security clearances to operate classified or sensitive systems.