Staff Software Engineer PaaS

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

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: $157,000.00 - $243,400.00

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 the practice of using AI in software development

Maintains accountability for quality of services in multiple areas and teams for the success of 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 and often identifies systemic issues to be solved and contributes to the resolution of the same.

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 or Ed Tech as a whole, 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 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 and 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 and Platform  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.

Shares and trains on code documentation best practices

Ability to explain the basic value of a system and subsystems to users and how the various subsystems inter-operate 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 on-line 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 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, and planned for through an appropriate strategy.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field

10+ years of experience in software development; pioneering new approaches and technologies in engineering

Experience in web-based applications and web services such as Java, REST, SQL, GIT, and other technologies, including experience integrating third-party products

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's Degree or PhD in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field

Technical experience in any of the following: GIT, SQL, Spring, Spring boot, Java, Python, Angular 21 or later and AWS Services
 

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 architecting, implementing, and managing enterprise-level contact center solutions

Experience with distance education and distance learning students

This role is located in Salt Lake City, UT and requires 4 days a week on-site

 

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. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.