Welcome to our SECAF Spotlight! In today’s digital age, government contractors play a pivotal role in transforming federal operations through innovative technology solutions.
In this article, we highlight five SECAF (The Small and Emerging Contractors Advisory Forum) companies that aren’t just navigating the complexities of the government contracting landscape – they’re shaping its future. And the best part? They’re all looking for tech talent.
In order from smallest to largest in size, we’ve included key information that will help you in your job search!
BrainGu
Amivero
IT Partners
A-TEK
Coforma
BrainGu
- Location: Remote first (opportunities throughout the US)
- Company Size: 75-100
- Year Founded: 2012
BrainGu is a technology company that builds platforms for Developers and End-users. They offer a comprehensive approach to support their customer’s ability to change the box and solve complex problems.
Teams need better tooling and processes to get repeatability and scale to their solutions. BrainGu creates capabilities that help them succeed. Not everything they produce is revolutionary, but everything they make allows someone to “Do it Better” regardless of the specific problem domain. Incremental improvements implemented at the speed of relevancy enable BrainGu to evolve the solutions they develop to their customer’s changing needs in real-time.
Hear the company’s founding story in this interview with the CEO:
Awards and Recognition:
About the culture.
Creativity and problem-solving are at the heart of BrainGu’s culture. They encourage free-thinking and novel approaches to complex challenges, allowing the team to break down intricate issues into manageable parts and develop innovative solutions. This mindset keeps their team at the forefront of technological advancement and ensures they deliver tangible value to their customers.
BrainGu’s company culture values flexibility, trust, and collaboration, so they embrace remote work as an integral part of their working style. They trust employees to work independently and manage their own time, and provide the tools and resources necessary to support this. In order to stay connected and foster collaboration they host monthly town halls, maintain over 50 affinity groups within Slack that foster connections around shared interests such as the outdoors, photography, fitness, and emerging technology, and their leadership team regularly travels to geo-hubs for in-person meetings.
And on top of all that, their annual company retreat, GuCon, brings everyone together to a destination city for two days where they celebrate and share knowledge.
Professional growth opportunities.
At BrainGu, the leadership is committed to continuous learning and personal growth. Every employee has access to a $10,000 annual “Brain Budget” to spend on activities such as continuing education, higher-ed degrees, online training courses, manufacturing tools and techniques, health and wellness, and passion projects.
Some of the more unique Brain Budget requests include flight training and pilot insurance, laser engraving and CNC machines, 3D printing and additive manufacturing tools, professional development courses, and multiple MBAs. They also implemented a new policy requiring at least 50% of an employee’s Brain Budget spend be related to their professional development, ensuring continued enhancements to their workforce which ultimately benefits their customers.
What qualities and traits do successful BrainGu employees possess?
- Goal-Oriented and Mission-Driven. This is a team of achievers, setting their sights on ambitious goals that others might find challenging. If you’re driven by the idea of achieving the extraordinary, then join a community that thrives on turning the seemingly impossible into reality.
- Be Inquisitive. Curiosity fuels progress. BrainGu celebrates those who have a desire to question, explore, and innovate. At BrainGu, a natural tendency to ask the right questions drives their collective pursuit of understanding and breakthrough solutions.
- Beyond Technology Specifics. While technology is their playground, they never lose sight of the ultimate goal – creating tangible value for customers. This team’s passion lies in the real-world impact that their solutions bring to the lives of those who interact with them.
- Creative Solutioning. Complex problems require a novel approach. They’re searching for those who excel at breaking down intricate challenges into manageable parts, view problems through a non-traditional lens, and value free-thinking when developing solutions.
Want to join the team? Check out their open roles!
Amivero
- Location: Fully Remote & Hybrid Opportunities (Office in Reston, VA)
- Company Size: 100-125
- Year Founded: 2018
Amivero stands as a leading provider of digital transformation, data science, and cybersecurity services to the federal government. Rooted in a mission-centric ethos, Amivero’s approach is characterized by empathy, understanding the why behind the what.
Serving as trusted advisors and passionate problem solvers, they tackle the nation’s most critical challenges. As an 8(a) Woman-Owned Small Business, Amivero leverages a human-centered, data-driven approach to deliver solutions tailored to the unique environments of federal customers.
Who are they serving? Amivero’s clients include the Department of Homeland Security, the General Services Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Their expertise spans systems modernization, data analytics, digital transformation, and cybersecurity services, facilitating measurable, actionable, and lasting results. With deep ties to the law enforcement community, Amivero excels in bridging communication gaps between agencies, fostering collaboration grounded in real-life community needs.
Learn more about the company in this interview with the CEO and Founder:
Career Growth Opportunities. When it comes to professional growth at Amivero, their leadership encourages employees to seek informal mentors within the organization and to capitalize on available training opportunities.
The Talent Management Department offers support by assisting employees in crafting individualized career paths. Through open and honest communication, quarterly check-ins, and annual performance evaluations, Amivero ensures alignment with professional goals and facilitates mutual feedback.
Their APIX (Amivero Product Innovation Experience) team has built an environment for safe innovation. On this team’s “communities of practice” – any Amiverian is welcome to join a project team and gain experience building solutions before they are deployed.
From mentoring and classroom training to certifications and on-the-job learning, Amivero empowers its team members to advance their expertise and professional credibility. By taking advantage of these opportunities Amivero’s employees not only build their knowledge but also boost their professional credibility, stabilizing the success of their career journeys.
Excited about the possibilities? Explore Amivero’s open roles and take the next step in your career journey.
IT Partners
- Location: Fully Remote and Hybrid opportunities (HQ in Herndon, VA)
- Company Size: 100-125
- Year Founded: 1993
IT Partners (ITP) is a Small Business Certified and Women-Owned company dedicated to delivering trusted, cost-effective Enterprise Resource Planning and Data Analytic Services. With a focus on government and commercial markets, ITP has earned a reputation for innovation and excellence.
At ITP, it’s the people that define the company’s ethos. Smart, determined, and collaborative, employees contribute to an open culture similar to startups, where ideas flow freely, and every team member is a hands-on contributor.
In the News:
- IT Partners Named A 2022 INC. 5000 Company
- IT Partners Appraised At Maturity Level 3 For Services & Development
What agencies do they work with? ITP serves prominent clients like the Department of Defense (DoD) as well as various civilian agencies such as the USDA.
Their delivery approach and customizable solutions provide customers with assurances that they can defend their programs and associated costs to Department leadership, Congress, and ultimately, the American taxpayer.
What’s the Company Culture like? The leadership at ITP has intentionally built a culture where every employee feels valued and appreciated.
“It all begins with our employees – they are dedicated, smart, and determined. We work with our employee partners in an open culture often associated with startups, in which everyone is a hands-on contributor, treated with respect, and feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions.” – Dean Lenuik, Chief Growth Officer
When asked how the leadership is intentionally fostering a strong culture, Anthony Cecchini (CTO and Co-founder) explains, “We are continually engaging with our employees to ensure they are happy with their workload, their job, and their work-life balance. Further, we gather the team on a quarterly basis to build comradery and show staff appreciation.”
Professional development. ITP recognizes that its employees are its greatest asset and is committed to supporting their professional development and growth. From fully paid education and training for certifications to a flat organizational culture that encourages ownership, ITP provides ample opportunities for employees to thrive.
With access to a diverse array of training programs and online learning resources, employees can continuously enhance their skills and knowledge. ITP also hosts in-house certification classes, covering topics such as agile development, program management, and security management, to ensure that employees are equipped to excel in their roles.
In addition to investing in professional development, ITP prioritizes employee well-being, regularly engaging with staff to ensure satisfaction with workload, job, and work-life balance. Quarterly meetings foster camaraderie and appreciation, reinforcing the company’s commitment to its employees’ success and happiness.
Ready to join a company that values partnership, excellence, and growth? Explore opportunities with IT Partners today.
A-TEK
- Location: Fully remote and in-office opportunities (HQ in McLean, VA)
- Company Size: 150-200
- Year Founded: 1996
A-TEK is a company of technologists, scientists, and subject-matter experts who work collaboratively to solve their federal civilian and national security customers’ most complex challenges.
Whether it’s accelerating scientific research to improve health, optimizing and modernizing the workplace, or protecting the country from biohazards, the work they do impacts the safety, security, and health of our nation.
A-TEK is a woman-owned, small business, government contractor with nearly 30 years of experience. The company provides science and digital technology innovation to a myriad of federal government agencies in DC, MD and VA and throughout the United States.
Which federal agencies do they serve? Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Justice, Navy, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Library of Congress
The company’s CEO, Kathryn Freeland, was featured in CIO Women Magazine.
About the culture. A-TEK provides a creative, challenging, and mission-driven work environment that cultivates growth for its employees. They respect the value and integrity of every employee. They realize that each individual brings unique insight that enriches the collective wisdom of the organization. The company’s senior management plays an active role in charting, planning, and supporting career growth for every employee from the moment you walk through the door. They recognize and support a healthy work-life balance and encourage employees to become active members of their communities.
How do they promote a diverse workplace? A-TEK believes that diverse talent leads to richer capabilities and results. In this evolving global environment, they prioritize recruiting by nurturing a workforce that reflects our nation’s diversity in culture, race, ethnicity, and gender.
At A-TEK, diversity is not a word, it’s their credo. They live and breathe it every day. It’s part of the fabric and culture of the company. A-TEK advocates an inclusive work environment where opportunity and growth are available to all.
Want to join? Take a look at their openings and apply!
Coforma
- Location: Fully Remote (Office in Washington, DC for team members who want to work in person)
- Company Size: 150-200
- Year Founded: 2017
Coforma stands at the forefront of digital services, driven by a mission to revolutionize the way organizations address the needs of the communities they serve.
Founded in 2017 by CEO Eduardo Ortiz, Coforma has rapidly evolved into a powerhouse of over 160 talented individuals dedicated to driving positive change. As a minority-owned small business, Coforma proudly embraces diversity and inclusion, intentionally employing Veterans and holding certifications from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Small Business Administration.
What impact are they making? The team at Coforma works with non-profits, commercial agencies, and government entities – particularly those in veteran services, healthcare, and public interest sectors – to improve and develop cutting-edge technology products and services that make a tangible difference in communities. From developing a free, direct online tax filing system for Americans to helping patients navigate surprise medical bills to streamlining the digital claims process for Veterans, Coforma is committed to reshaping the way communities access and utilize technology products.
Learn more about the company’s mission and the impact they’re making in this video:
What makes a successful employee at Coforma? Successful employees at Coforma are kind, curious, collaborative, and innovative. They also realize the importance of their work and understand its impact on others.
When asked what kind of employee they’re looking for, Eduardo Ortiz (CEO) shares, “Someone who has a great degree of self-awareness would do well here, someone who is inquisitive and who deeply cares about the work we are doing.”
“This team holds each other accountable. They are very caring, kind, and smart. It’s an incredible group of people that’s working together in a meaningful way.” – Angela Palm Hopkins, VP, Marketing and Communications
Collaboration and teamwork at Coforma. The leadership at Coforma is incredibly intentional about supporting their employees and fostering an environment of collaboration.
Here are just a few examples:
- Home Office Stipend to help employees create a space where they can be comfortable and productive in their homes.
- Brown Bag Lunches hosted by the “people team” to help employees come together, share, and learn about a variety of topics.
- Collaborative All Hands sessions, providing the entire team with a chance to connect and hear from all departments.
Coforma is hiring across many roles – engineers, designers, researchers, product managers, business operations, and more. Interested in joining their team? Explore their open roles and apply!
Here at hatch I.T., we’re passionate about helping tech professionals land their next role. If you’re looking for more technical openings at an exciting tech company, check out our collection of technical career opportunities.
