External Title Senior Full Stack Engineer

Peraton is seeking a Senior Full Stack Engineer to support the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program (VHP). In this role, you will serve as an embedded technical contributor within the VHP government team, designing, developing, documenting, and deploying a modern, cloud-ready database and associated data visualization tools that support the program’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) workflows. Your work will directly enable scientists, program managers, and stakeholders across the five U.S. volcano observatories and the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) to track performance, visualize geospatial hazard data, and produce evidence-based reports.

Work Location
:
Remote

Day to Day

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Database Design & Development — Analyze government-furnished M&E plans and existing VDAP M&E database code; design and implement a relational database (PostgreSQL/PostGIS) supporting VHP monitoring and evaluation data; develop stored procedures, views, data validation logic, and comprehensive data dictionaries; architect the database for mobile device accessibility.
• API & Backend Development — Design and implement RESTful APIs in Python (FastAPI or Flask) to expose database functionality; develop data ingestion tools and ETL workflows to load M&E data from existing sources; implement metadata management aligned with USGS standards; conduct unit and integration testing of all backend components.
• Front-End & Visualization Development — Develop a web-based and mobile-friendly data entry and reporting interface using JavaScript/Type Script and React; create an easily editable content management tool allowing VHP staff to update the M&E framework without developer intervention; build interactive dashboards and visualization modules for M&E analysis and reporting with filtering, drill-down, and export capabilities.
• GIS & Geospatial Visualization — Develop GIS-enabled tools for spatial visualization of volcano data tied to M&E evaluation criteria; implement interactive web mapping using ESRI JavaScript API, Leaflet, or Mapbox; integrate geospatial layers with the database backend via RESTful APIs; leverage ArcGIS, Arc Py, GDAL/OGR, and PostGIS spatial functions.
• Cloud Readiness & Architecture — Architect all systems to be cloud-ready, portable, and maintainable, aligned with USGS approved architecture and security baselines; document deployment configurations for future migration to CHS-supported cloud and hybrid environments.
• Documentation — Produce and maintain all required documentation including user guides, data dictionaries, API references, system schemas, and deployment guides; follow USGS coding and documentation standards throughout.
• Security & Compliance — Complete required DOI security awareness training; adhere to FISMA, NIST, and DOI security requirements; support Certification and Accreditation (C&A) activities; confirm all web-based applications include USGS-approved logon banners; report any computer security incidents per DOI procedures.
• Section 508 Accessibility — Validate all web-based interfaces against WCAG 2.0 Level A and Level AA success criteria; apply universal design principles including semantic HTML, keyboard navigation, color contrast, and screen reader compatibility; remediate any non-conforming features.
• Collaboration & Communication — Attend and actively participate in weekly check-in meetings with VHP staff and the volcano-hazards software development team; provide written progress updates (work completed, planned, issues, risks); integrate feedback from the VHP Coordinator and COR; coordinate with teams across the five U.S. volcano observatories to maintain system interoperability.
• Travel — Travel to Natural Hazards Mission Area…