PRINCIPAL LEAD SOFTWARE ENGINEER - University of Washington

Req #: 232529 Department: eScience Institute Posting Date: 04/02/2024 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: $16,625 - $22,000 per month Shift: First Shift Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701\_a11y.pdf ) As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. The University of Washington's eScience Institute was founded in 2008 to promote data science adoption and methods development across all areas of science, engineering, arts and humanities. There is a large and growing need not just for data science talent, but also for research software engineering expertise. To address this need, the University of Washington's eScience Institute is leveraging an investment of the Schmidt Futures Foundation of $40M across four universities to build a Scientific Software Engineering Center (SSEC). The primary goal of the SSEC is to support the development of infrastructure and capacity within the University of Washington (UW) to address difficult scientific software problems that will address aspects such as the nature of the universe, climate change, how to design better materials, etc. The SSEC will be staffed by seasoned software engineers to work on impactful science research projects, infusing them with software industry's best practices, and delivering reusable, open source software that will accelerate future research in areas like climate change, health, energy and basic science. We are looking for a highly qualified software engineering expert with dual backgrounds in science and technology, who will be central to the SSEC mission to support data driven research by enabling the development of new software tools and user communities serving greater scientific goals. **POSITION PURPOSE** With a working title of Principal Lead Software Engineer, this position will be part of a new endeavor to create a collegial, creative team, collaborating with University researchers to improve efficiency and reproducibility of research outcomes. Responsibilities will include application design and implementation, research design and collaboration, problem resolution, and projects, and providing status reports to SSEC directors. This position will provide a major role in creating and staffing project teams, and will lead, mentor, and coach SSEC teammates. The position reports to the Center Software Engineering Lead (UW title: Sr. Principal Research Scientist/Engineer). **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES** **Design and Implement Applications** + Lead the design and implementation of applications/systems that offer a wide range of functionalities to the user population. + Advance innovative and unique approaches and methods of software development. + Manage the products end to end. + Tailor existing or create new systems to meet specific research needs. + Create content and contribute to initiatives designed by SSEC directors. Contribute to other deliverables as designed by SSEC leadership. **Collaborate with Research Design** + Build internal code design and development guides for future contributors. + Collaborate with researchers in the design, planning, and implementation of software that enriches research productivity and reliability. + Build understanding of research activities through regular engagements. + Guide UW investigators toward sustainable software goals. **Lead, mentor, coach SSEC teammates** + Provide major input to creating and staffing of project teams. + Foster and support a creative, open environment for vibrant research development. + Assist junior colleagues with problem solving, documentation, communication, and time management. **Problem Resolution/Project Tasks** + Manage the correction of application issues and process challenges. + Identify and implement improvement initiatives to meet the needs and changing mission of the environment. + Manage issue tracking, internally and with researchers. Resolve outstanding issues. + Mentor junior members on the team toward completion of goals and assignments. + Provide routine, accurate, timely, and pertinent status reports to the SSEC Center Lead and SSEC directors. **MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS** + Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field. + Minimum of 6 years of previous experience in software engineering. **Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.** **ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS** + Experience cultivating positive and productive professional relationships with individuals from diverse social, cultural, and political contexts and ability to build rapport quickly. + Excellent written and oral communication skills and excellent problem-solving skills. + Experience leading design and implementation of applications/systems. + Experience developing software applications using Python, JavaScript, Go, or similar language in a Linux environment. + Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines, using technologies and platforms such as Kubernetes, AWS CodeBuild, Azure DevOps, or GCP Cloud Build. + Experience architecting and implementing solutions that integrate multiple technologies across platforms and business systems. + Experience using Git for source-control, continuous integration, and release management. **DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS** + Proven success leading dynamic teams. + Ability to drive innovation and excitement to learn about new technologies and science applications. + Strong understanding of most phases of software development or lifecycle. + Experience with Agile development practices, including test-driven development. + Strong acumen for software testing and documentation, with a commitment to quality. + Experience documenting Operational Systems / User Guides. + Knowledge of database structures, data definitions and data relationships. + Able to quickly learn and apply new technologies and skills. + Demonstrated background in relevant technology platforms. + Experience working with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform. + Experience implementing data access and application security policies. **CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT** + Periodically available for phone calls/meetings in the early morning and late evenings to accommodate nationwide time differences. + Deadline-driven environment, occasionally requiring extended hours and/or work on weekends. + This position is eligible for H-1B Sponsorship. **Application Process:** The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed. University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.