Application Development Lead

Vickers and Nolan Enterprises (VNE) is an engineering company that provides Government projects and programs with experienced and dedicated system architects, engineers, subject matter experts (in tactical intelligence), and program managers. VNE also develops training courses and tools to prepare warfighters to effectively employ tactical intelligence systems and provide management guidance to the Government organizations that develop these systems.

VNE has earned a reputation for exceptional performance, innovation, agility, and responsiveness in the Intelligence Community (IC). We attack our mission with a comprehensive understanding of the data available and required; skilled research, design, development, integration, and testing of systems and software solutions; expertise in cybersecurity/information assurance and technology; programmatic, acquisition, and logistics support know-how; and our own unique training curricula that enables students to excel at intelligence operations across all levels of the community.

VNE is devoted to improving tactical operations at home and abroad by enabling the seamless transition of data across the intelligence community and developing/integrating solutions to unify operations and intelligence.

VNE is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) founded in 2004 in Stafford, VA.

VNE, LLC is looking for a TS/SCI Cleared Application Development Lead

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: 

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or related technical discipline. 

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience leading complex software development programs. 

• 5+ years of experience serving as a development lead, solution architect, or technical lead on enterprise-scale systems. 

• Experience with cloud-native application architectures, microservices, API development, and secure software engineering. 

• Demonstrated experience implementing Agile and DevSecOps methodologies. 

• Experience integrating AI/ML capabilities into operational applications. 

• Active TS/SCI clearance or eligibility to obtain and maintain TS/SCI access.

• Desired Qualifications 

• Experience supporting USSOCOM, Geographic Combatant Commands, Joint Staff organizations, or defense intelligence programs. 

• Experience developing command-and-control, mission planning, operational assessment, or decision-support systems. 

• Knowledge of military planning processes, campaign assessment methodologies, and operational workflow modernization. 

• Experience with graph-based data models, knowledge management systems, and AI-enabled analytics platforms. 

• Familiarity with data governance, interoperability frameworks, and enterprise integration patterns within DoD environments. 

• Key Performance Indicators 

• On-time delivery of software increments and releases. 

• Reduction in manual workflow steps and reporting burden. 

• Successful integration of data sources and mission applications. 

• User adoption and operational effectiveness of delivered applications. 

• Compliance with cybersecurity, interoperability, and performance requirements. 

• Successful support of operational decision-making through AI-enabled capabilities.  

Job Description:

The Application Development Lead will oversee the architecture, design, development, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment of an AI-enabled software ecosystem. This individual serves as the principal software engineering authority, ensuring that all applications, workflows, analytics capabilities, and user interfaces are delivered in alignment with mission objectives, security requirements, interoperability standards, and user operational needs. The role is central to transforming manual, fragmented reporting processes into modern, integrated digital workflows that provide commanders and staff with real-time operational awareness and decision-quality insights.  

Primary Responsibilities 

• Lead the end-to-end software development lifecycle for all application components supporting campaign management, operational planning, assessment, and workflow automation capabilities. 

• Define and maintain the technical architecture for AI-enabled applications, workflow services, APIs, user interfaces, analytics dashboards, and decision-support tools. 

• Direct Agile and spiral-development activities to iteratively deliver capabilities, incorporate user feedback, and mature operational functionality throughout the period of performance. 

• Collaborate with data engineers, AI/ML engineers, UX designers, mission analysts, and government stakeholders to implement mission-focused solutions. 

• Establish software development standards, DevSecOps practices, coding guidelines, automated testing frameworks, and configuration management processes. 

• Oversee integration of operational, personnel, mission, and assessment data into unified application services and visualization environments. 

• Ensure development efforts comply with DoD cybersecurity, information assurance, and TS/SCI operational requirements. 

• Guide the implementation of interoperable services supporting governance, data standards, and enterprise integration objectives. 

• Manage technical risk, development schedules, software quality, and release readiness across all application workstreams. 

• Support demonstrations, user evaluations, operational assessments, and prototype transition activities. 

Expected Outcomes 

The Application Development Lead will deliver: 

• AI-enabled workflow applications that standardize SOCCENT staff processes. 

• Operational dashboards and common operational picture capabilities supporting real-time situational awareness. 

• Campaign assessment and management applications supporting objective tracking and decision-making. 

• Partner force management and assessment tools. 

• Operational planning applications incorporating analytics, modeling, and simulation capabilities. 

• Secure and scalable software services aligned with SOCCENT interoperability and data-governance requirements. 

Essential Duties of the Job:

• Ability to communicate task requirement information to client in a clear and concise manner.
• Must be able to sit and stand for prolonged periods of time, as well as lead and participate in meetings and working groups.
• Requires visual acuity to use a keyboard.
• Must be able to attend work each day, during scheduled hours, unless on travel or approved time off.
• Ability to work on computer for long periods, and communicate with individuals by telephone, email and face-to-face

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.
• Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• May be exposed to chemicals related to office equipment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate (i.e. general office environment).

Benefits:

• 401 (K) w/ up to 3.5% Company Match
• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Gym Membership (varies by location)
• Corporate-Sponsored Events