Lead Front-End Tech

Job Title: Front-End Tech Lead
Location: Des Moines, IA 50319 (Remote)
Contract Duration: 6-12 months with the possibility of extension

Need a local candidate

Job Overview

Client is seeking a dedicated Front-End Tech Lead to support and lead the development of Staff MIUI screens within IWD. This is a senior-level position responsible for front-end technical direction, engineering standards, accessibility compliance, and CI/CD improvements. The role combines hands-on front-end development with technical leadership, mentoring, and architectural decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the front-end codebase using Angular, SASS, and HTML, establishing architecture, technical direction, and coding standards.
• Develop, review, and maintain high-quality front-end code for Staff MIUI screens.
• Implement and maintain the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and State Design System.
• Lead accessibility strategy and ensure compliance with WCAG 2.2 AA, Section 508, Title I, and Title II requirements.
• Perform accessibility testing using automated tools, screen readers (JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver), and manual keyboard navigation.
• Lead code reviews and design reviews, mentor front-end developers, and promote engineering best practices.
• Improve and maintain front-end CI/CD processes and deployment pipelines.
• Identify architectural gaps and define the front-end technical roadmap.
• Collaborate with Java backend teams to integrate APIs and services. Java development is not required.
• Prepare technical documentation, decision records, and process documentation.
• Apply secure development practices in accordance with government security and sensitive data-handling requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Formal accessibility certification such as CPACC, WAS, or an equivalent certification.
• Proven experience as a Front-End Tech Lead or senior-level front-end engineer.
• Expert knowledge of Angular, SASS, and HTML.
• Experience implementing design systems; USWDS experience is strongly preferred.
• Hands-on accessibility testing experience using automated tools, screen readers, and manual navigation.
• Strong understanding of CI/CD and front-end deployment workflows.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Java backend teams.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and engineering best-practice implementation experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation.
• Understanding of government security and sensitive data-handling requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Section 508 and Title I/Title II accessibility compliance.
• Previous experience working in government or public-sector environments.
• Experience defining engineering standards and leading process improvements.
• Familiarity with enterprise-scale front-end architectures and component libraries.
• Experience writing technical documentation, runbooks, or engineering process guides.

Experience Requirements

The following qualifications require 8 years of experience, as specified in the provided skills matrix:

• Front-end technical leadership or senior-level front-end engineering.
• Angular, SASS, and HTML.
• Design system implementation.
• Accessibility testing using automated tools, screen readers, and manual navigation.
• CI/CD and front-end deployment workflows.
• Collaboration with Java backend teams.
• Technical leadership, mentoring, and engineering best practices.
• Written and verbal communication, including documentation.