Western Governors University

Staff Software Engineer (Front end focus)

Western Governors University$161K — $249K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
  • 10 years software development experience, including pioneering new approaches in engineering.
  • Expert-level with Angular 9+ and front-end development best practices.
  • Strong grasp of web-based applications using Java, REST, SQL, GIT, and related technologies.
  • Deep understanding of UI architecture, component-based design, and performance optimization.
  • Experience with regression testing strategies that ensure software quality and efficiency.
  • Strong communication skills for influencing stakeholders and mentoring engineers.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and evolve front-end applications with Angular and other modern technologies.
  • Act as a technical expert and advisor across engineering teams, shaping architecture and standards.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable and maintainable solutions.
  • Implement quality assurance through regression testing and continuous improvement practices.
  • Identify and address technical risks and architectural challenges proactively.
  • Mentor engineers by providing technical guidance and engaging in knowledge sharing.
  • Promote operational excellence, focusing on performance, accessibility, and security of front-end platforms.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, and telehealth services.
  • Flexible paid time off and sick leave without accrual requirements.
  • 11 paid holidays and additional paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.
  • Retirement savings plan and health savings accounts.
  • Discounted WGU tuition and access to wellbeing programs.
  • Coverage options for life, disability, accident, critical illness, and legal services.
Full Job Description
Job Description

As a Staff Software Engineer focused on front-end development, you will play a critical role in shaping the user experience, technical direction, and engineering excellence of our platform. This role combines hands-on development with technical leadership, driving modern UI architecture, scalable solutions, and engineering best practices across multiple teams. You will partner with engineers, architects, product leaders, and stakeholders to solve complex technical challenges and deliver exceptional experiences for students, faculty, and staff.

What You'll Do
  • Work with a team to design, develop, and evolve modern front-end applications using Angular and related technologies.
  • Serve as a technical expert and trusted advisor across multiple engineering teams, influencing architecture, standards, and engineering practices.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to translate business and user needs into scalable, maintainable, and high-performing solutions.
  • Drive front-end quality through robust regression testing strategies, automation, and continuous improvement of testing practices.
  • Identify technical risks, systemic issues, and architectural challenges early, providing effective solutions and recommendations.
  • Mentor engineers through technical guidance, design reviews, problem-solving, and knowledge sharing.
  • Champion operational excellence, performance optimization, accessibility, reliability, and security across front-end platforms.


What You'll Bring
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
  • 10 years of experience in software development, including experience pioneering new approaches and technologies in engineering.
  • Experience developing web-based applications and web services using technologies such as Java, REST, SQL, GIT, and related tools.
  • Expert-level experience building modern user interfaces with Angular 9+ and front-end development best practices.
  • Strong understanding of UI architecture, component-based design, responsive development, and application performance optimization.
  • Experience developing and executing regression testing strategies that balance software quality, speed, and efficiency.
  • Deep understanding of software engineering principles including planning, coding, testing, security, algorithms, design patterns, fault tolerance, and system scalability.
  • Experience working with cloud-based platforms and designing solutions for scale, reliability, and cost efficiency.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders, mentor engineers, and present technical solutions effectively.
  • Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks while driving consensus across teams.


Bonus Points
  • Master's Degree or PhD in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
  • Experience with Spring, Spring Boot, AWS Services, and enterprise-scale cloud applications.
  • Experience with Salesforce development lifecycle practices and Salesforce governor limits.
  • Experience with enterprise contact center technologies, telephony platforms, CTI, SIP/VoIP, IVRs, and related solutions.


Experience in Lieu of Education

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this role may substitute for education requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as one year of experience for one year of education and is at the discretion of the hiring manager.

What to Expect

At WGU, our mission drives everything we do, including how we hire. Our interview experience is designed to give qualified candidates the opportunity to show their best work through meaningful conversations and collaboration.

We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission.
  • Introductory call with a WGU Talent Partner
  • Hiring manager interview
  • Technical team interview


Work Location

This is a full-time, in-office position requiring five days per week in our Salt Lake City, Utah office, designed to foster the collaboration and connection that fuel our best work.

Visa Sponsorship

While we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, WGU is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Travel Requirement

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

#LI-AW2

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

About Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, nonprofit online university based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The university was founded by 19 U.S. governors in 1997 with a mission to expand access to higher education. WGU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, and healthcare. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and has been recognized by the White House as an example of excellence in education innovation. WGU has a competency-based learning model, which allows students to progress through their coursework at their own pace based on their mastery of the material.
Learn more about Western Governors University
Size
5,000 employees
Industry

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