Lead Software Engineer – Full Stack Tech Lead

Job Title: Lead Software Engineer – Full Stack Tech Lead Location: McLean, VA (On-site) Employment Type: W2 with ZipStaff 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 12+ 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. Pay: $82.00 - $85.00 per hour Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Paid time off Referral program Application Question(s): Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? Will you now or in the future require employer sponsorship for employment authorization? Do you have at least 12 years of software engineering experience, including 2+ years of technical leadership or people leadership experience guiding engineering teams or multiple agile squads? Have you led the delivery of full-stack solutions involving Java/Spring Boot microservices, REST APIs, and front-end applications (Angular or React)? Do you have strong hands-on experience with Java, Spring Boot, microservices architecture, and AWS? Do you have hands-on experience with Angular or React in a production environment? Do you have experience working in the financial services industry? Work Location: In person