Western Governors University

Staff Software Engineer- Full-Stack Python and React

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

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field; equivalent relevant experience may substitute.
  • 10 years of experience in software development.
  • Proficiency in React 18 and experience in building custom component libraries.
  • Experience with Python (preferably Django framework) and Django REST Framework.
  • Familiarity with AWS services and Solutions Architect Certification preferred.
  • Proficiency with Docker and Kubernetes.
  • Experience with relational databases such as MySQL and PostgreSQL.

Responsibilities

  • Act as an expert in multiple areas of software engineering.
  • Maintain accountability for service quality across teams for project success.
  • Contribute as a lead or consultant for multiple teams and areas.
  • Provide formal and informal mentoring during team meetings and problem-solving.
  • Identify and resolve systemic issues that arise.
  • Plan for technical risks and dependencies alongside project management.
  • Enhance operational excellence by ensuring platform availability for users.

Benefits

  • Bonuses and medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Telehealth and mental healthcare services.
  • Health savings and flexible spending accounts.
  • Life insurance options and disability coverage.
  • Retirement savings plan and wellbeing program.
  • Discounted tuition at WGU.
  • Flexible time off policies including no accruals for sick or vacation time.
Full Job Description

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Technical 411

Pay Range: $161,000.00 - $249,500.00

Job Description

The Staff Software Engineer is a position of technical expertise, influence, and leadership in the technology realm. The position will be required to apply their expert knowledge to ensure best practices and well-engineered architecture across the department. They will also be a key stakeholder and initiator of major changes to processes, engineering practices, and system administration. This position will be required to work in a space of solving critical issues and initiatives across multiple teams. It will require an extensive and deep understanding of cutting-edge practices and innovative approaches to problems. Principal Software Engineers are also tasked with establishing and maintaining a positive and productive culture based on the WGU Leadership Principles.

Job Duties
Acts as an expert in multiple areas of software engineering.

Maintains accountability for the quality of services in multiple areas and teams for the success of the assigned project for on-time, on-budget, and on-scope delivery.

Contributes as a lead or consultant for their domain area or multiple teams. Is a go-to person in at least one sub-discipline and competent and trusted in several other disciplines or application areas.

Contributes formally and informally to the effectiveness of teams through formal and informal mentoring and direction during team meetings and problem-solving.

Contributes, often identifies systemic issues to be solved, and helps resolve them.

Actively ensures that engineering has the skill sets they need to be successful with current and future technologies.

Acts as a planning consultant for Portfolio when identifying technical risks and dependencies. Identifies problems far in advance, finds multiple solutions, and recommends the preferred solution to teams and to management.

Speaks authoritatively and accurately with respect to questions related to their area of ownership or for the platform, as a whole.

Actively improves operational excellence measured by the availability of the platform to students, faculty, and staff.

Applies strategies and tools to plan and execute testing strategies to find the sweet spot that maximizes quality while minimizing costs. Demonstrates the good enough principle that balances quality and time to implement.

Understands implications of functional and non-functional requirements on the system. Identifies deficiencies in requirements and works with product owners to provide alternatives.

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
KSAs
Expert understanding of the processes associated with software development, including Planning, Measurement, Coding, Testing, Reuse, Tools, Abstraction, algorithms, complexity, Security, and basic system understanding.

Ability to employ the tools and techniques related to an engineering discipline, such as database management, user interface development, inter-process communications, etc.

Ability to create designs that can be realized in code that achieve functional and non-functional requirements of the system. Appropriately uses design patterns, system decomposition, security, and fault tolerance. A demonstrated capability in one or more design methodologies, such as Object-oriented design, Function-oriented design, data-centered design and the notations appropriate for each.

Ability to understand differences, strengths and weaknesses of various Software Development Life Cycle models, and practical considerations of options

Understands implications of Software as a Service in the creation of software systems. Thinks of and designs for scale, reliability, and cost in a public cloud environment. Uses data and metrics to analyze Key Performance Indicators.

Ability to explain the basic value of a system and its subsystems to users and how the various subsystems interoperate to provide features. Able to act as a partner with Operations in solving platform problems at a system level. Knows what the system can and cannot do.

Ability to demonstrate a sense of urgency when looking for solutions to problems

Understands the general higher education landscape, particularly with online higher education, including competitive landscape, opportunities, and feature gaps.

Ability to identify innovative ideas or technologies that represent opportunities to advance the capabilities of the university education platform, our efficiencies in improving out platform, or both. Can leverage change management processes to drive adoption.

Ability to make the team stronger and more cohesive

Strong communication skills with the ability to engage others at the right level at the right time. Communicates effectively in group settings by knowing the audience, listening effectively, and being responsive. Presents solutions not just problems, and effectively manages expectations.

Ability to identify, mitigate, or avoid risks and works closely with leads or managers to make sure that such risks and dependencies are understood, accounted for, and planned for through an appropriate strategy.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field - Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for the education degree requirement.
  • 10 years of experience in software development
  • React 18
  • Experience building custom component libraries and accessibility auditing
  • Python (preferably Django framework
  • Django REST Framework
  • AWS - Solutions Architect Cert preferred
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes
  • Relational Databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL)
  • SQL, AWS Services


Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's Degree or PhD in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field
  • Experience with Salesforce development lifecycle techniques and Salesforce governor limits
  • Experience with cloud-based telephony, CTI, SIP/VoIP phones and protocols, QoS, IVRs, and call recording
  • Experience in architecting, implementing, and managing enterprise-level contact center solutions

    Job Description Disclaimer: This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities, requirements, and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position; management reserves the right to revise or change as necessary to meet organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned when circumstances require.

    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-JW1

    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.

    Additional Information

    Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. Its not all-inclusive.

    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
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    5,000 employees
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