Software Engineer - System/Application Development

Job Description

The Office of Research Information Services (ORIS) has an outstanding opportunity for a JavaScript Engineer to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the IT Applications Manager the JavaScript Engineer is responsible for ensuring efficient delivery and effective support for university research by performing systems design, development, programming, implementation, consultation, maintenance and support for modern websites, web applications, APIs, and other research administration systems primarily on a   JavaScript/TypeScript technology stack. Other essential functions include providing technical leadership and expertise for systems development colleagues and providing expert consultation to clients and systems managers. This position directly supports the mission of ORIS and thereby the 24x7 research mission of the university.

This is an essential position and may be required to report to work when UW suspends operations.

Key Responsibilities

Build - 55%

• Deliver secure, scalable, resilient, performant, and maintainable JavaScript/TypeScript-based web applications, APIs, microservices, databases, and cloud-native solutions within Agile/Scrum projects, adhering to industry best practices to ensure UW systems meet the needs of the UW research community.
• Design, build, and evolve cloud-based applications and supporting infrastructure leveraging cloud-native architectures, source control, branching strategies, CI/CD pipelines, automation, managed services to enable reliable, compliant, performant, and cost-effective solutions delivery.
• Create and update technical designs, estimates, and implementation plans that integrate information security, compliance, disaster recovery, and system observability to ensure continuous confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
• Drive engineering quality by writing clean, maintainable code and automated test scripts, participating in product/service team meetings, reviewing pull requests, architecture, and system design, and responsibly applying GenAI or automation tools to optimize workflows.
• Communicate and collaborate across cross-functional ORIS/UW teams, documenting and presenting technical concepts, designs, risks, and progress to diverse stakeholders to align project priorities, drive decision-making, and ensure exceptional customer experiences through well-integrated solutions.

Operations - 35%

• Partner with customer success, cross-functional teams to triage, troubleshoot and resolve issues across applications, integrations, cloud infrastructure services, and databases for supporting 24/7/365 availability.
• Maintain system health throughout SDLC ensuring systems are secure, compliant, observable, and cost-effective.
• Proactively monitor systems to improve observability, identify root causes and resolve production issues, incidents in a timely manner.
• Improve system quality, stability, and operational efficiency through continuous infrastructure automation, system instrumentation, and adoption of modern engineering standards.
• Support information security, business continuity, and disaster recovery objectives by operating and maintaining software and infrastructure in accordance with ORIS, UW policies and industry recommended best practices.

Administrative Duties - 10%

• Engage in continuous learning, professional development, knowledge sharing, and adopting industry best practices to strengthen team and organization capabilities and capacity.
• Develop familiarity with research administration in an R1 university setting to help streamline and support business processes.
• Contribute to project delivery and organizational goals through active participation in planning, reviews, change management, required HR or administrative processes, and taking broader responsibilities as needed.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

 Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science (or related field) with a minimum of 5 years of professional enterprise software engineering experience, OR 8+ years of equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience including:

• 5 years of Full stack experience designing, building, and maintaining secure, highly performant web applications and event-driven microservices using TypeScript, Angular, Node.js, PHP, and WordPress.
  • 5 years of experience using front-end web technologies such as CSS3, HTML5, HTTP (1 and 2) protocols to develop responsive applications supporting desktop and mobile devices. 
  • 5 years’ experience developing and integrating RESTFul APIs utilizing OpenAPI Specification (Swagger).
  • 5 years’ experience working with relational databases like MS SQL Server or MySQL or PostgreSQL and writing efficient, performant queries using database specific query languages.
  • 3 years of experience designing, deploying, and supporting cloud-native applications on AWS using Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, CDK, or CloudFormation) and services such as EC2, ECS/Fargate, Lambda, S3, CloudWatch, Route53, SNS, RabbitMQ, Kafka, and OpenSearch.
  • 3 years’ experience working with web servers like Apache, Nginx, Docker containers, and container orchestration.
  • 1 year experience responsibly applying enterprise Generative AI, LLMs, and agentic workflows across the entire software development life cycle from prototyping through delivery.

• Experience with automated testing of UI, end-to-end, and API layers using tools like Cypress, Postman, alongside performance profiling and code-tuning of enterprise applications.
• Experience with source control systems for code versioning, branching strategies, code maintenance, and building CI/CD pipelines using GitHub or Bitbucket.
• Experience with web applications observability and resolving production issues supported by excellent design, problem‑solving, and debugging skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in agile/scrum and DevSecOps teams with a strong sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written mediums with individuals and groups in order to socialize information and knowledge with a diverse group of colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability in managing multiple priorities, with strong organizational, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ease in technical and non-technical review as both reviewer and reviewee to facilitate collaborative group activities such as change control and pull request review.

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with one or more modern additional high level programming languages such as Python, C# (.NET), Java.
• Experience building and deploying application code components following Infrastructure as code approach using CloudFormation templates.
• Experience architecting loosely coupled homo/heterogenous integrated systems following systems design principles and architectural standards.
• Experience modeling objects, data, metadata, process, and/or information.
• Experience with analytics services such as Google Analytics and/or Segment
• Experience with accessibility standards and knowledge of best practices; experience with ARIA.
• Experience with building web applications adhering to OWASP security protocols and SOC compliance standards.
• Experience designing and implementing API integrations across heterogeneous systems and enterprise integration platforms like MuleSoft.
• Experience deploying applications in blue/green mode.
• Experience working with transactional systems generating real-time data to support business intelligence reporting.
• Solid understanding of data structures, web protocols, web application architecture, RESTful API design and data flows.
• Knowledge of Workday suite of applications/modules, data models, security, integrations and data load capabilities.
• Knowledge of common content and data exchange formats, including Markdown, YAML, and JSON.
• Working in higher education and/or research administration.

Working Conditions:

• This position contributes to a collaborative teamwork environment.
• Collaboration across diverse backgrounds, personalities, and disciplines is done in a shared space working environment through scheduled and ad hoc meetings focused on problem solving.
• May be required to work in a hybrid environment, using remote and on-site workplaces.
• While normally has a Monday-Friday day shift, will occasionally have responsibilities or emergent situations where work outside of standard business hours is required to ensure software deployments go smoothly, to respond to incidents, and/or to meet critical deadlines.
• May be required to be on call.
• Is an essential position and is required to report to work when UW suspends operations when needed

About the Team

The work of the Full Stack Engineer is critical in enabling transformation and minimizing disruption of the ~$1.75-billion-dollar research enterprise at the University of Washington. Housed in the Office of Research Information Services, this position impacts teams across all 280 university research centers. This role drives organizational efficiency by streamlining the submission and processing of thousands of research awards annually.

As an engineer contributing to the success of the Office of Research, this position advances its mission to accelerate research and advance innovation by delivering analysis, automation and on-demand information through a seamless research administration experience. It also supports the University’s mission of discovery, innovation and advancing knowledge; helps to improve university compliance; and ensures that the University can continue to be at the forefront of academic research.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$122,400.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$134,400.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected]. 

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.