Senior Application Developer (Python/Database)

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Application Developer (Python/Database) Washington, DC - onsite Per Federal contract U.S. Citizenship Required Must be able to pass enhanced background screen (criminal, financial, drug) for Public Trust clearance W-2 or C2C Application Deadline: 7/24/2026 The Industrial Output (IO) section within the Federal Reserve Board’s Division of Research and Statistics (R&S) seeks a Senior Applications Developer to assist with a critical technical infrastructure modernization project for the Board's monthly G.17 statistical release on industrial production and capacity utilization (IP/CU). This role offers an exciting opportunity to develop robust new infrastructure that exceeds current capabilities. The IO section is a dynamic team of roughly 20 professionals, including economists, research assistants, data engineers, and analysts who publish the G.17 release, produce industrial sector forecasts, pioneer novel data source applications, and conduct mission-relevant research on economic measurement, productivity, trade, and business dynamics. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the IO team and a group of outside contractors in modernizing the IP/CU data and code infrastructure, reporting to the group manager. Currently, the G.17 relies heavily on legacy FAME software for programming and database storage, requiring careful, ambitious work over an extended period to transition to modern technologies while ensuring robust monthly production. The position demands the candidate develop strong FAME coding skills alongside proficiency in modern languages (R, Python, etc.) and database systems (SQL-based systems, DuckDB, etc.). The ideal candidate will embrace emerging technologies—including AI and coding assistants—while prioritizing system robustness and reliability. Beyond technical development, the role includes managing organizational tasks such as coordinating with Board IT and the Public Information Office on file transfers and validation. The successful contractor will demonstrate strong coding interest, exceptional work ethic, collaborative spirit, and unwavering reliability, mirroring the G.17 release's consistent monthly delivery. Experience with R, Python, or FAME software is highly valued. Technical Skills: • A bachelor's degree in computer science, physics, economics, or a related field with at least seven years of demonstrated programmer/analyst experience developing software according to software development lifecycles (SDLCs). • Strong programming skills. Significant experience with R, or Python; FAME experience is a plus. • Strong verbal and written communication skills • Reliability and an ability to work efficiently on time-sensitive projects. • Ability to work independently and to collaborate with others in a team environment and quickly understand data structures and idiosyncrasies. • Analyzes and studies complex system requirements. • Demonstrated strong analytical skills. • Designs software tools and subsystems to support software reuse and domain analyses and manages their implementation. • Manages software development and support using formal specifications, data flow diagrams, other accepted design techniques and Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools. • Reviews existing programs and assists in making refinements, reducing operating time and improving current techniques. • Supervises software configuration management. • Analyzes functional business applications and design specifications for functional activities, with experience developing block diagrams and logic flow charts. • Translates detailed design into computer software. • Tests, debugs and refines the computer software to produce the required product. Prepares required documentation, including both program-level and user-level documentation. • Experience in analysis and design of systems. • Knowledge of a Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Place of Performance: On-site at FRB locations, Washington, DC (Note: There is some allowance for situational telework if needed)