Western Governors University
Senior Software Engineer Python/Django (Education Technology)
Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84193
Senior Software Engineer Python/Django (Education Technology)
Western Governors University (WGU) is seeking a Senior Software Engineer experienced in Python/Django to join our engineering team. The role focuses on building scalable, cloud‑native education technology solutions that enable learners to succeed.
Salary Range Grade: Technical 410 • Pay: $140,200 – $217,200
Responsibilities
Acts as an expert in assigned areas of software engineering and mentors junior engineers.
Maintains accountability for quality of services and success of assigned projects for on‑time, on‑budget, and on‑scope delivery.
Contributes as a lead or consultant for at least one team and may be a ‘go‑to’ person in a particular sub‑discipline.
Contributes formally and informally to effectiveness of the team through formal and informal mentoring and direction during team meetings and problem solving.
Communicates effectively and regularly with other disciplines to identify and resolve problems and contribute to organizational success.
Leads cross‑functional groups in identifying and transferring knowledge through formal and informal means (formal presentations, internal white‑papers, etc.).
Acts as a planning consultant for team or portfolio when identifying technical risks and dependencies; identifies potential problems, as well as potential solutions, far in advance.
Speaks authoritatively and accurately with respect to questions related to their area of ownership or the platform as a whole.
Contributes directly, and leads others, in rapid identification of system problems minimizing time to restoration of services.
Assists engineering management in identifying opportunities for improvement within the team, including training, technical feedback, emerging problems, etc.
Applies strategies and tools to plan and execute testing strategies to find the ‘sweet spot’ that maximizes quality while minimizing costs.
Interprets functional, non‑functional, and implied requirements into designs and code that meet those specifications.
Performs other job‑related duties as assigned.
Key Skills & Abilities (KSAs)
Understanding of software development processes (Planning, Measurement, Coding, Testing, Reuse, Tools, Abstraction, Algorithms, Security, System understanding).
Ability to employ tools and techniques related to an engineering discipline (database management, UI development, inter‑process communication, etc.).
Ability to create designs that can be realized in code, using design patterns, system decomposition, security, and fault tolerance.
Understanding of various SDLC models and practical considerations of options.
Understanding of SaaS implications in software systems and designing for scale, reliability, and cost in a public cloud environment.
Ability to explain the basic value of a system and subsystems to users and how subsystems inter‑operate.
Ability to demonstrate a sense of urgency when looking for solutions to problems.
Understanding of the higher education landscape, especially online higher education.
Ability to identify innovative ideas or technologies that advance the university education platform and improve efficiencies.
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.
Ability to identify, mitigate, or avoid risks and work closely with leads or managers to plan for dependencies.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
6 years of experience in software development, pioneering new approaches and technologies.
Experience with web‑based applications and web services using Java, REST, ServiceNow, and other web technologies, including operating databases and integrating third‑party products.
Relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for the education requirement, with general equivalency of 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree or PhD in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
Experience with IntelliJ/VS Code, JIRA, Git.
Experience with Agile/Scrum Project Development.
Experience with Java or a similar object‑oriented language.
Experience with IDM/OSSO, Hibernate/Seam, Banner.
Experience with application integration with legacy systems.
Experience with cloud‑native development, and/or porting/ refactoring on‑site to cloud (preferably AWS).
Experience with J2EE, Java EE, JavaScript, and SQL.
Technical certifications (list optional).
Benefits Full‑time regular position (40 hours/week). Eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, telehealth, mental health care, health savings account, flexible spending account, life insurance, disability coverage, accident, critical illness, and hospitalization indemnity. Additional coverage includes legal, identity theft, retirement savings plan, wellbeing program, and discounted WGU tuition. Flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays, parental leave up to 12 weeks, and other paid leaves.
Application Information Interested candidates should submit an online application. Internal WGU employees must apply through the internal job board in Workday. Please contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu for disabilities accommodations.
Equal Employment Opportunity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.
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Salary Range Grade: Technical 410 • Pay: $140,200 – $217,200
Responsibilities
Acts as an expert in assigned areas of software engineering and mentors junior engineers.
Maintains accountability for quality of services and success of assigned projects for on‑time, on‑budget, and on‑scope delivery.
Contributes as a lead or consultant for at least one team and may be a ‘go‑to’ person in a particular sub‑discipline.
Contributes formally and informally to effectiveness of the team through formal and informal mentoring and direction during team meetings and problem solving.
Communicates effectively and regularly with other disciplines to identify and resolve problems and contribute to organizational success.
Leads cross‑functional groups in identifying and transferring knowledge through formal and informal means (formal presentations, internal white‑papers, etc.).
Acts as a planning consultant for team or portfolio when identifying technical risks and dependencies; identifies potential problems, as well as potential solutions, far in advance.
Speaks authoritatively and accurately with respect to questions related to their area of ownership or the platform as a whole.
Contributes directly, and leads others, in rapid identification of system problems minimizing time to restoration of services.
Assists engineering management in identifying opportunities for improvement within the team, including training, technical feedback, emerging problems, etc.
Applies strategies and tools to plan and execute testing strategies to find the ‘sweet spot’ that maximizes quality while minimizing costs.
Interprets functional, non‑functional, and implied requirements into designs and code that meet those specifications.
Performs other job‑related duties as assigned.
Key Skills & Abilities (KSAs)
Understanding of software development processes (Planning, Measurement, Coding, Testing, Reuse, Tools, Abstraction, Algorithms, Security, System understanding).
Ability to employ tools and techniques related to an engineering discipline (database management, UI development, inter‑process communication, etc.).
Ability to create designs that can be realized in code, using design patterns, system decomposition, security, and fault tolerance.
Understanding of various SDLC models and practical considerations of options.
Understanding of SaaS implications in software systems and designing for scale, reliability, and cost in a public cloud environment.
Ability to explain the basic value of a system and subsystems to users and how subsystems inter‑operate.
Ability to demonstrate a sense of urgency when looking for solutions to problems.
Understanding of the higher education landscape, especially online higher education.
Ability to identify innovative ideas or technologies that advance the university education platform and improve efficiencies.
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.
Ability to identify, mitigate, or avoid risks and work closely with leads or managers to plan for dependencies.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
6 years of experience in software development, pioneering new approaches and technologies.
Experience with web‑based applications and web services using Java, REST, ServiceNow, and other web technologies, including operating databases and integrating third‑party products.
Relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for the education requirement, with general equivalency of 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree or PhD in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
Experience with IntelliJ/VS Code, JIRA, Git.
Experience with Agile/Scrum Project Development.
Experience with Java or a similar object‑oriented language.
Experience with IDM/OSSO, Hibernate/Seam, Banner.
Experience with application integration with legacy systems.
Experience with cloud‑native development, and/or porting/ refactoring on‑site to cloud (preferably AWS).
Experience with J2EE, Java EE, JavaScript, and SQL.
Technical certifications (list optional).
Benefits Full‑time regular position (40 hours/week). Eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, telehealth, mental health care, health savings account, flexible spending account, life insurance, disability coverage, accident, critical illness, and hospitalization indemnity. Additional coverage includes legal, identity theft, retirement savings plan, wellbeing program, and discounted WGU tuition. Flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays, parental leave up to 12 weeks, and other paid leaves.
Application Information Interested candidates should submit an online application. Internal WGU employees must apply through the internal job board in Workday. Please contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu for disabilities accommodations.
Equal Employment Opportunity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr