Senior Backend Software Engineer / Technical Lead - Public Sector

About this role

Job Title: Senior Backend Software Engineer / Technical Lead – Public Sector
Expected commitment: approximately 40 hours per week
Duration: approximately 6 months, with potential extension
Contract: 1099
Location: Remote, United States only
Availability: Eastern Time business hours
Rate: $120/hour

### About Us

We are Friends From The City, a design and technology company focused on public impact and equity. Our mission is to make digital interactions with the government simple, intuitive, and accessible. That means removing barriers like confusing user flows, inaccessible content, or language limitations that prevent people from getting what they need.

We use human-centered design, thoughtful research, and well-crafted, reliable code to build digital products that work for everyone.

### About the Role

Friends is seeking a Senior Backend Software Engineer / Technical Lead for an anticipated public-sector digital services engagement. This is a contingent position, dependent on Friends From The City being awarded a pending government contract. Employment will begin only upon contract award.

You will lead the architecture and development of a production backend service that integrates with multiple existing systems and external data sources. The work involves modernizing complex government services while maintaining reliability, security, and continuity with existing systems.

This role is particularly well suited for an experienced engineer who has built and operated production APIs in AWS, worked with sensitive or regulated data, and is comfortable integrating modern services with complex legacy environments.

This is an anticipated 1099 contract engagement for approximately six months, with the potential to continue through subsequent option periods. Work is primarily remote within the United States and requires availability during Eastern Time business hours.

### Requirements

**What you'll achie...