Ascension is seeking a capable and solution-oriented Application Developer / Software Engineer to design, develop, configure, test, document, integrate, and maintain software applications supporting Montgomery County Public Schools.

The selected professional will help MCPS modernize applications, improve system interoperability, automate business processes, and maintain reliable software solutions across its enterprise technology environment. The role supports MCPS’s broader need for custom development, system integration, application modernization, and staff augmentation across the full System Development Life Cycle.

The ideal candidate combines hands-on programming skills with disciplined software engineering practices. This individual should be able to understand business and technical requirements, translate them into maintainable software, troubleshoot complex issues, and work effectively with analysts, architects, testers, security personnel, and customer stakeholders.

The position is well suited for a developer who:

• Works independently while remaining collaborative and responsive.
• Produces clear, reusable, and well-documented code.
• Can operate effectively when requirements evolve.
• Anticipates technical risks and proposes practical solutions.
• Balances development speed with security, accessibility, quality, and maintainability.
• Can communicate technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

Summary of the Contractor Role

The Application Developer will support the development and maintenance of applications, interfaces, APIs, database components, and reusable software modules. The position may support new application development, legacy system modernization, software integration, database-driven applications, web applications, workflow automation, and production maintenance.

MCPS identifies Engineering and Modernization as a primary functional area covering the full development lifecycle for custom applications. Examples include legacy-system modernization, microservices and API design, CI/CD pipeline implementation, and deployment using Agile, Scrum, and DevOps methodologies in environments such as Python, Java, and .NET.

The developer may be assigned through a Statement of Work or Request for Resumes after award of the Master Agreement. Therefore, the exact technology stack, schedule, work location, and project duration will depend on the applicable task order.

The contractor will be expected to help MCPS:

• Convert functional and technical requirements into working software.
• Integrate cloud-based, on-premises, and enterprise applications.
• Improve the maintainability and reusability of existing systems.
• Resolve software defects and application performance issues.
• Support controlled application releases.
• Maintain accurate technical and system documentation.
• Apply software quality, data privacy, security, and accessibility standards.
• Protect student, employee, and institutional information.

Anticipated Day-to-Day Activities

• Analyze business requirements, technical specifications, workflows, interfaces, and existing application architecture.
• Design software components, database structures, APIs, interfaces, services, and reusable application modules.
• Develop secure, maintainable, and scalable applications using the programming languages and frameworks specified by the task order.
• Configure application settings, development environments, integrations, and supporting database components.
• Write SQL queries, stored procedures, data-access logic, scripts, and database transactions.
• Build integrations between cloud-based, on-premises, and third-party enterprise systems.
• Develop RESTful APIs, web services, microservices, or other interface components when required.
• Modernize legacy applications by refactoring code, replacing outdated components, and improving system architecture.
• Review system specifications and evaluate existing subsystems and software components for reuse.
• Create unit tests, test scripts, test data, and automated testing routines.
• Execute unit, integration, regression, accessibility, performance, and user-acceptance support activities.
• Diagnose software defects, interface failures, data issues, performance bottlenecks, and production incidents.
• Resolve defects and document root causes, corrective actions, workarounds, and preventive measures.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, daily stand-ups, demonstrations, and retrospectives.
• Maintain source code, version histories, development branches, release notes, and configuration records.
• Support CI/CD pipelines, code deployment, release management, and environment promotion activities.
• Conduct peer code reviews and incorporate technical and quality-review comments.
• Document application architecture, source code, interfaces, database structures, installation procedures, configuration requirements, and support processes.
• Apply MCPS security, data privacy, records-management, and source-code requirements.
• Ensure applications and deliverables comply with ADA Section 508 and applicable Non-Visual Access requirements.
• Collaborate with product owners, project managers, business analysts, database specialists, cybersecurity personnel, testers, trainers, and technical writers.
• Prepare weekly productivity reports documenting completed work, current tasks, issues, deliverables, and labor hours.
• Provide technical demonstrations, knowledge-transfer sessions, and implementation support to MCPS personnel.
• Protect MCPS data in accordance with FERPA, COPPA, the Maryland Student Privacy Act, and applicable MCPS policies.