Accessibility Engineer

By Light Professional IT Services LLC is seeking an experienced Accessibility Engineer to ensure the highest standards of accessibility in our digital products and services. This role is vital to supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in delivering accessible, user-friendly digital experiences. The ideal candidate will possess advanced coding skills and accessibility expertise, enabling them to guide and collaborate with developers on the technical aspects of accessibility. We are seeking an Accessibility Engineer that is passionate about accessibility and forward thinking beyond just 508 compliance.

Advise Veteran-facing service (VFS) developers on VA.gov coding standards and best practices for accessibility, including automated scanning and build systems.
• Contribute to the VA Design System by suggesting and implementing bug fixes and enhancements to improve accessibility.
• Host regular office hours to support VFS engineers, providing guidance and solutions for accessibility challenges.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including designers, researchers, and other engineers to ensure accessibility is integrated throughout the product lifecycle.
• Conduct manual and automated accessibility testing to ensure compliance with Section 508 and WCAG 2.2 AA standards.
• Utilize various assistive technologies (e.g., JAWS, Voiceover, NVDA) to validate the accessibility of digital products on multiple devices and platforms.
• Maintain detailed documentation of accessibility issues, proposed solutions, and implemented fixes.
• Track and report on accessibility metrics to demonstrate progress and impact.
• Advocate for accessibility best practices and foster a culture of inclusivity within the organization.
• Provide training and support to team members to enhance their understanding and implementation of accessibility standards.

• BS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience with HTML, CSS, Javascript and ARIA. React is a plus.
• Proven experience in assistive technology and accessibility engineering with a strong understanding of WCAG 2.2 AA guidelines and Section 508 compliance.
• Advanced coding skills with experience in advising on technical aspects of accessibility.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams.
• Experience in documenting and resolving accessibility issues in digital products.

• Familiarity with the VA.gov platform and its accessibility requirements.
• Experience in conducting user research with assistive technology users.
• Knowledge of agile development methodologies and experience working within SCRUM teams.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust