Kearney Activate - Senior Full Stack Developer at Kearney · Washington

About the Role

As a Seniorr Full Stack Developer at Kearney Activate, you build across the stack, with real strength on the front end — you build dashboards, interfaces, and application logic that are genuinely usable, not just functional. This is a UI-focused role, not a UX design role: you're not expected to run wireframe workshops or own design work — a separate design capability that handles that elsewhere. You are not a front-end specialist who avoids the back end, though: you're expected to be genuinely versatile, comfortable building APIs and data services when the pod needs it. You carry only minor data engineering familiarity — enough to coordinate with our dedicated data architecture team, not to own pipeline work yourself. Forge pods are small, so you'll also work directly with client stakeholders on interface and workflow requirements, and think about the business problem, not just the ticket in front of you.

What you'll do

• Design and build front-end features in React/TypeScript, with real ownership of UI quality — dashboards, interfaces, and application logic that make information clear and usable

• Build and maintain back-end services and APIs (Python-based) when the work calls for it, keeping true full-stack range

• Apply secure coding practices, including familiarity with DoD STIGs (Security Technical Implementation Guides) or similar secure-coding standards

• Coordinate with our dedicated data architecture team on pipeline and schema questions as they arise — light coordination, not pipeline ownership

• Work within a modern collaborative SDLC: Git branching and pull requests, peer code review, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing

• Deploy and troubleshoot in secure cloud environments

• Partner with the data scientist, architect (where present), and product owner to translate requirements into working, well-built features

• Engage directly with client stakeholders on interface and workflow requirements — this is requirements-and-delivery-facing, not a design-led conversation

• Participate fully in agile delivery: sprint planning, backlog refinement, estimation, testing, and release

• Apply modern AI/GenAI tools as a real part of your development workflow — coding assistants, accelerated prototyping, and similar

Who you are

After nearly 100 years, we know this business is fundamentally about making connections — between facts, technologies, and above all, people. We look for collaborative, inquisitive problem-solvers who don't accept the first thing in front of them, who are always unapologetically themselves, and who can build something a client is proud to show off, not just something that works.

In addition, we look for individuals with the following experience or qualities:

• 4-7 years of professional software development experience (we'll consider strong candidates down to about 3 years), with genuine strength on the front end and solid working range across the back end

• A UI builder, not a UX designer — comfortable owning interface quality and interaction logic without expecting to run design workshops

• Minor data engineering familiarity — enough to coordinate credibly with our dedicated data architecture team, not to own that function

• Strong engineering fundamentals and an instinct for versatility over narrow specialization

• Real business acumen expressed through delivery judgment: comfortable engaging a client stakeholder directly on interface and workflow requirements. Forge pods are small, and every person on them needs to be able to represent the work

• Exposure to aerospace & defense, large-scale/heavy construction, manufacturing, or supply chain environments is a plus — helpful context, not a filter

• Familiarity with DoD security practices (e.g., STIGs) or similar secure-coding standards is a plus

• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, iterative delivery with cross-functional and client-facing teams

• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

• Genuine, practical fluency using modern AI/GenAI tools in your own workflow

Required qualifications

• Ability to obtain, or current possession of, a U.S. Secret security clearance is required; an active or prior clearance is a strong plus

• Full-time employment

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field — or equivalent demonstrated experience (bootcamp, military technical training, or professional portfolio)

Technical skills and tools

Core (expected):

• React, JavaScript/TypeScript — strong UI craft, not UX/design

• Python and a modern API framework (e.g., FastAPI)

• REST API design and integration

• SQL and relational data modeling fundamentals

• Git-based version control, CI/CD, and automated testing

• AWS fundamentals (or equivalent experience with another major cloud / hyperscaling, e.g., Azure or Google Cloud)

• Familiarity with DoD STIGs (Security Technical Implementation Guides) or similar secure-coding standards

Preferred / a plus:

• Docker/containerization

• Data visualization or BI tooling (e.g., Power BI or similar) beyond basic charting

• Experience deploying to cloud environments with elevated security or compliance requirements

• Prior consulting or client-facing delivery experience

Location

• Washington, D.C. or Arlington preferred.
• Boston and other East Coast hubs will be considered.
• Must be able to work closely with the team and travel to client delivery sites as required.
• U.S.-based only.

What we can offer you

Every day, our people work to be the difference for our clients, our communities, and our colleagues. Helping them make an impact, they are sustained by a competitive remuneration package plus comprehensive benefits and perks, including but not limited to:

• Generous retirement and pension savings contributions.
• Comprehensive medical insurance for employees and immediate family.
• Gym membership discounts.
• Non-partner equity-based awards for consulting managers and above.
• Structured and on-the-job learning and development opportunities.
• Personalized opportunities including talent mobility, flexible work programs, and externships to help you chart a unique career journey.

Compensation Range: $100k-$150k : It is important to note that at Kearney, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role. Individual salaries within each range are determined through a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and skills. Kearney reviews compensation regularly and may adjust base salaries to reflect market competitiveness. In addition to salary, individuals may be eligible for a discretionary performance bonus. Our full suite of benefits includes paid time off, 401(k) match and profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, healthcare concierge, backup child/adult care, annual employer HSA contribution, home office stipend, subsidized Gympass, annual wellness programming, and leaves of absence when needed to support employees’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Read more about our benefits and careers at Kearney Benefits and Kearney Careers.

Equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination

Kearney prides itself on providing a culture that allows employees to bring their best selves to work every day. Our people can feel comfortable, confident, and joyful to do great things for our firm, our colleagues, and our clients. Kearney aims to build diverse capabilities to help our clients solve their most mission critical problems. Kearney is committed to building a diverse, unbiased, and inclusive workforce. Kearney is an equal opportunity employer; we recruit, hire, train, promote, develop, and provide other conditions of employment without regard to a person’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences consistent with applicable laws. This includes providing reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. Members of communities historically underrepresented in consulting are encouraged to apply.