Lead Software Engineer - Full Stack Tech Lead

Job Description

Job DescriptionJob Title: Lead Software Engineer – Full Stack Tech Lead Location: McLean, VA (On-site) Employment Type: W2
About the Opportunity:ZipStaff is seeking a Full Stack Tech Lead to lead multiple agile squads at a major financial services organization in McLean, VA.This is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for delivering modern full-stack capabilities — including user-facing applications, APIs, microservices, integration services, and platform modernization. You will provide strong technical direction across the stack while mentoring engineers and driving high-quality delivery in a regulated financial services environment.
What You’ll Do:

• Lead multiple agile squads delivering end-to-end full-stack solutions (front-end, APIs, microservices, and integrations).
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance across Java/Spring Boot microservices, REST APIs, and modern front-end applications (Angular or React).
• Drive solution design, code quality, scalability, security, and operational readiness across the full technology stack.
• Partner with Product Owners, architects, and business stakeholders to align priorities, manage dependencies, and deliver business outcomes.
• Design and implement cloud-native solutions on AWS, including microservices, APIs, and supporting infrastructure.
• Establish and enforce engineering standards for scalable design, automated testing, CI/CD, peer reviews, and production readiness.
• Create proofs of concept and prototypes (including AI-assisted engineering practices) to validate new approaches and accelerate delivery.
• Oversee production support, incident response, root-cause analysis, observability, and continuous reliability improvements.
• Mentor and develop engineers, support hiring, and build high-performing full-stack teams.
• Foster a culture of ownership, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of software engineering experience with strong full-stack delivery background.
• At least 2+ years of technical leadership / people leadership experience (leading teams or multiple squads).
• Proven hands-on expertise with:
  • Java & Spring Boot
  • Microservices architecture & REST APIs
  • AWS (cloud-native application development)
  • Angular or React
  • SQL / relational databases.
  • CI/CD pipelines and automated testing.
• Mandatory: Financial services industry experience.
• Strong experience establishing engineering standards, code quality practices, and production readiness.
• Ability to provide clear technical direction, evaluate design trade-offs, and guide implementation decisions.
• Experience with Agile delivery and cross-functional collaboration.
• Some hands-on use of AI tools in software engineering practices.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field (or equivalent experience).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Mortgage industry experience (strongly preferred).
• Experience leading platform modernization or large-scale digital transformation initiatives.
• Familiarity with containerization, event-driven architectures, or advanced AWS services.
• Prior experience mentoring engineers and raising the technical bar across teams.

About ZipStaff:ZipStaff partners with leading organizations to connect skilled technology leaders with high-impact contract opportunities. We focus on quality matches and long-term success.
To apply, please submit your resume highlighting your full-stack technical leadership experience, Java/Spring Boot/AWS/Angular or React background, and financial services work.