Application-Development Expert

Introduction

Maryland Benefits (MD Benefits) is a dynamic, cloud-based platform. This enterprise-wide digital service allows organizations to build, test, host, operate, and integrate mission-driven applications, data, and emerging technologies. MD Benefits offers cloud-based Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) capabilities, a shared data architecture, and product development services, all developed by the State of Maryland to help multiple agencies deliver and manage health, human, and social service benefits and programs. On July 1, 2025, the operation of the MD Benefits shared platform and statewide applications transitioned from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to the Department of Information Technology (DoIT).

***This is a contractual position, with limited benefits***

***All hires need to be eligible to work in the U.S., either as a U.S. Citizen or those who have a Permanent Resident or green card, as the state of Maryland does not have the ability to sponsor employees***

***Applicants are required to submit an up-to-date and accurate resume.***

Main Purpose

The Applications Development Expert provides design recommendations based on long-term IT organization strategy. The position shall use a variety of platforms to provide automated systems applications to customers. This individual will be viewed both internally and externally as a technical expert and critical technical resource across multiple disciplines.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of an Application-Development Expert include, but are not limited to the following duties:

• Design, develop, and implement enterprise-level applications and custom integration solutions, including major enhancements, interfaces, features, and functions.
• Provide expert guidance on application integration across various business systems and platforms.
• Analyze requirements, then plan, design, and develop highly complex and mission-critical software solutions using established software engineering practices—both independently and within project teams.
• Address and resolve the most complex technical support challenges.
• Define and enforce programming standards, development procedures, and reusable software architectures to promote consistency and efficiency.
• Apply modern application development methodologies consistently throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and evaluate their potential application to business needs.
• Serve as an internal consultant, technical mentor, advocate for best practices, and a driver of organizational change.
• Strong ability to design, develop, and deploy complex solutions using Java technologies and associated frameworks.
• Experience supporting and integrating system components across distributed environments.
• Skilled in translating business and technical requirements into scalable web-based solutions using recommended technologies and frameworks.
• Proficient in integrating application components using Web Services (REST, SOAP), EJB, and other industry-standard techniques.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• A Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field or equivalent work experience. (Note: A Master’s degree is preferred.)

General Experience:

• The proposed candidate must have at least seven (7) years of IT and business/industry work experience.

Specialized Experience:

• The proposed candidate must have at least three (3) years as a technical expert in an IT organization. This individual coaches and mentors the junior technical staff. The position will also provide technical input into the most complex and high impact IT decisions. This individual will be accountable for the most complex enterprise-wide applications and issues, translating highly complex concepts for peers and customers. The position must have in-depth knowledge of state-of-the art programming languages and object-oriented approach in designing, coding, testing and debugging programs.
• At least 8 years of experience in designing and developing applications in Java, scripting languages such as Python, JavaScript and web technologies such as Node.js and Angular.
• At least 3 years of experience in developing and consuming RESTful APIs.
• Experience in Java/J2EE, REST web services, JPA and unit testing code coverage.
• Extensive experience in Framework such as spring, Hibernate.
• Experience in building front-end applications using JavaScript, Angular JS, JSON, jQuery.
• Experience in building back-end application code that interfaces with other systems, services and APIs/RESTful APIs.
• Knowledge in developing shell scripting.
• Knowledge in application servers such as JBOSS/Tomcat.
• Experience in build and integration tools such as Maven and Jenkins etc. and source control tools like Git.
• Experience writing business rules and business logic.
• Must have knowledge in building applications with concurrency.
• Must have knowledge of Spring Components and Spring Framework.
• Experience in Child Support programs, Integrated Eligibility and/or Health & Human Services domain.
• Experience working in cloud platforms and services such as Amazon Web Services, DevOps and containerized cloud environments is preferred.
• Experience with code reviews and continuous test-driven development.