Job Description

Software Engineer I

Lexical Intelligence provides software and services related to processing large-scale biomedical information sources. Our Natural Language Processing (NLP) and analytics software is used by policy and decision makers to evaluate and prioritize current and emerging areas of research.

We are looking for a Software Engineer I to work within the National Library of Medicine (NLM), Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC), Bethesda, MD. The Software Engineer I will have experience in software development, application design and testing, and web-based interface development. The Software Engineer I will have a firm understanding of modern programming languages, software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies, and secure coding practices. The Software Engineer I shall be able to work well within a team of multidisciplinary researchers, DevOps engineers, data scientists, and biomedical informatics professionals. The selected applicant will be subject to a pre-employment background and reference check.

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of relevant software development or engineering experience


• Bachelor's degree or other degree(s) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or related fields


• Proficiency in one or more programming languages including Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, R, or SQL


• Familiarity with software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies, including design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance


• Experience with or exposure to web-based application development, including responsive and RESTful design principles


• Basic understanding of secure coding best practices as directed by US-CERT standards and OWASP guidelines


• Familiarity with version control systems such as Git, GitHub, or GitLab


• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences


• Must be authorized to work in the United States and able to obtain a Public Trust background investigation clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with additional programming languages or environments including Matlab, SAS, ETL, MySQL, MongoDB, Jupyter Notebooks, or shell scripting


• Familiarity with AI, Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Natural Language Processing (NLP), or Image Processing (IP) concepts and tools


• Exposure to cloud computing platforms such as Google Cloud (GC), Amazon Web Services (AWS), or Microsoft Azure, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS configurations


• Experience with containerization and orchestration tools such as Docker or Kubernetes


• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing environments


• Experience with Section 508 accessibility compliance standards and web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.0)


• Familiarity with Agile and Scrum project management frameworks


• Experience developing applications for Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, or mobile/handheld environments


• Exposure to emerging AI tools such as ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot


• Familiarity with federal IT security frameworks including FISMA and NIST standards

Responsibilities

• Participate in all phases of the software development lifecycle, including inception, analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance of software applications and tools


• Perform software analysis, design, development, testing, and maintenance primarily in Linux environments, with work also spanning Windows, MacOS, Android, web-based, and mobile platforms


• Develop applications using programming languages and environments including C++, Python, Java, JavaScript, R, Matlab, SAS, ETL, SQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and Jupyter Notebooks, with openness to adopting additional languages as the technical landscape evolves


• Contribute to the design and development of web-based and user interfaces based on user needs analyses, design prototyping, and evaluation using graphic design, data visualization, and user-centered design techniques


• Ensure all developed interfaces meet Section 508 compliance requirements and relevant design standards such as Responsive and RESTful design


• Collaborate with NLM's Research Computing and Data Science Support teams, including the Office of Computer and Communications Systems (OCCS) and LHNCBC's Scientific Computing Branch (SCB), to ensure systems comply with security policies


• Ensure developed system architectures are secure, extensible, and able to integrate with existing internal or external systems


• Ensure that all developed software is thoroughly documented for internal and external users and future maintenance purposes


• Leverage commercial cloud computing services (GC, AWS, Azure) to make tools publicly available, working across IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and CI/CD configurations


• Utilize managed cloud services including container orchestration, object and document stores, SQL databases, message brokers, and search engines


• Conduct software testing and quality control employing automated testing environments and configuration management best practices


• Provide support for projects and initiatives across disciplines including clinical research, biology, computational biology, data and computer science, AI, ML, DL, NLP, and program management


• Assist in the design and implementation of AI and other technology projects for the Center for Clinical Observational Investigations


• Document technical project requirements and track development timelines, identifying and coordinating internal and external dependencies


• Assist in generating status updates for management, keeping stakeholders informed of progress, changes to project plans, and potential issues using appropriate communication channels


• Participate as a team member in resource analysis, design, estimation, development, testing, and maintenance activities


• Utilize Agile and Scrum project management frameworks to ensure project deliverables are met within defined timelines, including use of tools such as JIRA and Confluence Wiki


• Follow secure coding best practices as directed by US-CERT standards and OWASP guidelines to limit system software vulnerability exploits


• Ensure IT applications are designed and developed to run in standard user context without requiring elevated administrative privileges


• Ensure all developed software is fully functional and operates correctly on systems configured in accordance with government policy and federal configuration standards, including testing with all relevant updates and patches prior to installation in the HHS environment


• Comply with all HHS/NIH information security policies, including completing mandatory annual security awareness, privacy, and records management training


• Adhere to HHS Rules of Behavior and the NLM Policy on Health-Related Data About Individuals, including signing required non-disclosure agreements prior to performing work


• Report all suspected or confirmed information security incidents or breaches to the NIH Incident Response Team within one (1) hour of discovery


• Protect sensitive information including PII, PHI, and proprietary data in accordance with FIPS 140-2/140-3 validated encryption standards

Salary and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary and a generous benefits package, including at no cost: full health and dental for you and your dependents, retirement and HSA accounts, short- and long-term disability insurance, life and accident insurance, paid time off, and 11 federal holidays.

Location

Bethesda, MD (NIH Campus, Building 38A) 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Lexical Intelligence, LLC, provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Lexical Intelligence, LLC | 2001 Veirs Mill Rd #546 | Rockville, MD 20851

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