Ruby on Rails Developer (Remote)

GovCIO is seeking a Ruby on Rails Backend Developer to design, build, and maintain backend services for VA.gov. This role is primarily focused on Ruby/Rails backend engineering, API development, system reliability, and integration work. You'll collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and contribute to AI-enabled enhancements where they provide clear user value.

This is a fully remote position open to candidates within the Continental United States (CONUS).

Responsibilities

Backend Development

• Build and maintain backend components using Ruby on Rails, JSON controllers, Sidekiq, and other server-side tools.

• Develop and optimize RESTful APIs and backend integrations.

• Ensure performance, reliability, security, and compliance across all backend services.

• Conduct system analysis to clarify requirements, data flows, program intent, and technical constraints.

AI-Enabled Enhancements

• Integrate AI capabilities into existing workflows with proper safeguards, observability, and monitoring.

• Support operationalizing AI solutions within AWS, including Amazon Bedrock (model selection, latency, IAM, cost management, and logging).

• Contribute to RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) implementation, including embedding strategy, vector search, relevance tuning, and guardrails.

Collaboration & Delivery

• Work closely with developers, product teams, and platform partners to deliver features for veteran-facing services.

• Participate in Agile ceremonies, sprint planning, and code reviews.

• Assist in defining system requirements, creating user stories, and estimating project timelines.

Quality, Documentation & Testing

• Prepare documentation such as reports, operational procedures, and maintenance manuals.

• Participate in integration testing and ensure seamless system functionality.

• Maintain proactive communication with internal and external stakeholders.

• Ensure all deliverables meet contract, quality, and security standards.

• Bachelor's (or commensurate experience)

• 5-8 years of professional software development experience.

• Proven experience developing with Ruby on Rails and managing backend systems.

• Strong analytical skills and experience with RSpec.

• Ability to work independently in a remote environment.

• Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies.

• Knowledge of the software development lifecycle and version-control/project tools (Jira, GitHub, Confluence, etc.).

• AI integration experience (LLM-powered workflows, agents, automations).

• RAG experience (chunking, embeddings, vector search, relevance evaluation).

• MCP (Model Context Protocol) or equivalent tool/agent integration experience.

• AWS Bedrock experience (model operations, prompt management, security, monitoring).

• Must be a U.S. citizen or legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Clearance Required

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Suitability/Public Trust

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience working with the VA or other federal agencies.

• Familiarity with VA.gov, its ecosystem, and federal processes.

• Experience with government cloud hosting.

• Expertise in managing APIs within VA networks.

• Experience with systems such as CorpDB, MPI, BDN, VBMS.

• Experience deploying AI features in privacy/compliance-heavy environments (PII handling, redaction, rate limiting, incident response).

• Exposure to modernization or replatforming efforts.

• General awareness of responsible automation and VA modernization priorities, including emerging AI-supported development tools.

• Interest in learning or leveraging modern development accelerators, including AI-assisted tooling where appropriate.

The posted pay range, if referenced, reflects the range expected for this position at the commencement of employment, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, and internal equity. The total compensation package for this position may also include other compensation elements, to be discussed during the hiring process. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the GovCIO reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, GovCIO or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

GovCIO is a team of transformers--people who are passionate about transforming government IT. Every day, we make a positive impact by delivering innovative IT services and solutions that improve how government agencies operate and serve our citizens. But we can't do it alone. We need great people to help us do great things - for our customers, our culture, and our ability to attract other great people. We are changing the face of government IT and building a workforce that fuels this mission. Are you ready to be a transformer?