Software Developer ( ASP.NET / WCAG Accessibility / Application Modernization)

We are seeking an experienced Software Developer / Web Application Engineer for an initial 3-6-month contract engagement focused on the WCAG 2.1 Level AA remediation of two existing public-facing web applications built on the Microsoft platform.

The initial phase of the project requires working within an established legacy application stack to identify, remediate, test, and document accessibility issues while preserving existing application functionality and business workflows.

Following successful completion of the accessibility phase, this position has the potential to extend into a 12-24-month application modernization and re-engineering project. The second phase will involve redesigning and rebuilding the existing applications using the current Microsoft .NET / Core web application stack.

This is an excellent opportunity for a developer who is comfortable working in both worlds: maintaining and improving an established production system today while helping architect its replacement for tomorrow.

Phase 1 - WCAG 2.1 Level AA Remediation

The initial 3-6-month engagement will focus primarily on accessibility remediation of two production, public-facing web applications.

Responsibilities will include:

• Review existing web applications for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance issues.
• Remediate accessibility issues throughout the user interface while minimizing changes to existing business functionality.
• Correct HTML structure, forms, labels, navigation, tables, dialogs, validation messages, and interactive controls.
• Implement proper ARIA attributes and accessible markup where appropriate.
• Improve keyboard navigation, tab order, focus management, and visible focus behavior.
• Address color contrast, responsive layout, text scaling, and other accessibility requirements.
• Improve compatibility with screen readers and assistive technologies.
• Remediate accessibility issues involving third-party UI components, including Kendo UI.
• Work with existing JavaScript and AngularJS components without unnecessarily destabilizing the production application.
• Perform regression testing to ensure accessibility changes do not impact existing functionality.
• Assist with accessibility testing using automated and manual testing techniques.
• Document remediation changes, technical limitations, and any remaining accessibility exceptions.
• Work directly with the existing development team to troubleshoot and resolve application issues.

Existing Technology Stack, Candidates who successfully complete the initial remediation project may be offered an additional 12-24 month contract to participate in the complete re-engineering of the two applications.

The modernization effort is expected to include:

• Re-engineering legacy applications onto the current Microsoft .NET LTS platform.
• Development using modern Core architecture.
• Migration of legacy business logic and application functionality.
• Modernization of the front-end architecture and user experience.
• Replacement of legacy AngularJS and Bootstrap components with a modern supported front-end framework and component architecture.
• Development of RESTful APIs and service-oriented application components.
• Modern authentication and authorization.
• Integration with Microsoft Azure services where appropriate.
• Improved application security, maintainability, performance, scalability, and deployment.
• Accessibility designed into the new application architecture rather than added afterward.
• Preservation and validation of existing business rules during migration.
• Participation in technical design, architecture, development, testing, and production deployment., Experience with any of the following is a significant plus:
• WCAG 2.1 AA remediation
• Government or public-sector web applications
• MVC
• AngularJS
• Telerik Kendo UI
• Bootstrap 3.x
• Modern Core
• Current .NET LTS releases
• Entity Framework / Entity Framework Core
• Microsoft SQL Server
• Azure SQL
• Microsoft Azure
• Azure App Service
• Azure DevOps
• Git
• CI/CD pipelines
• Application migration from .NET Framework to modern .NET
• Modern JavaScript or TypeScript frameworks

Candidates should have hands-on experience with several of the following technologies:

• Microsoft / .NET Framework 4.5+
• C#
• MVC
• HTML5
• CSS / CSS3
• JavaScript
• jQuery
• AngularJS
• Telerik / Kendo UI
• Bootstrap 3.x
• AJAX
• REST / Web APIs
• Microsoft Visual Studio
• Git or equivalent source-control systems

Experience maintaining and modifying legacy production applications is particularly important.

Accessibility Experience

Strong knowledge of web accessibility is highly desirable, including experience with:

• WCAG 2.1 Level AA
• WAI-ARIA
• Semantic HTML
• Keyboard-only navigation
• Focus management
• Accessible forms and validation
• Screen-reader compatibility
• Color contrast requirements
• Responsive and zoom-compatible interfaces
• Accessibility testing tools such as Axe, WAVE, Lighthouse, Accessibility Insights, or similar tools

Experience performing accessibility remediation on complex data-driven web applications, rather than only static websites, is strongly preferred., * 5+ years of professional software development experience preferred.

• Strong C# and Microsoft development experience.
• Strong HTML, CSS, and JavaScript skills.
• Experience troubleshooting and modifying existing production web applications.
• Understanding of browser developer tools and front-end debugging.
• Ability to work within an existing codebase before proposing major architectural changes.
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills.
• Ability to independently analyze technical issues and implement production-quality solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to document technical changes and development decisions.