Senior Software Engineer

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is a community of Information Technology professionals committed to delivering service and technological solutions in support of teaching, learning, research and administration.  We are recruiting an IT workforce that has both breadth in their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines – and depth in specific areas of expertise. HUIT offers opportunities for IT professionals to learn and work in a unique technology landscape and service-focused environment. If you are a technically proficient, nimble, user-focused, and accountable IT professional who also connects with the importance of collaborating well in a team environment, we are looking for you! 

The Senior Software Engineer will work as a member of the Common Alumni Affairs and Development Systems (CAADS) team to deliver a combination of commercial and custom software solutions to 1,100 staff University-wide and over 350K alumni world-wide. The individual will be responsible for the design, development and maintenance of software pursuant to technical specifications; unit testing; execution of source code control procedures; participating in application and system upgrades; and providing technical support. The Applications Developer works closely with fellow team members, technical partners and vendors to design, develop, test, implement and validate software solutions to support ongoing and emerging needs.

The successful candidate will be motivated and intellectually curious, with a proven record of achievement, teamwork and creative problem solving. Additionally, the individual is expected to have strong communication skills and to be able to effectively and efficiently collaborate with others to deliver solutions that fully meet organizational requirements.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate fully in software development life cycle
• Support technical solutions to deliver business requirements
• Troubleshoot problems and suggest improvements to coding practices
• Act as technical liaison to internal clients
• Contribute ideas to coding best practices and new technologies
•  Abide by and follow the Harvard University IT technical standards, policies and Code of Conduct
• Provide tier 3 (including after-hours) support / resolve all escalated issues.
• Other duties as needed or required
  

Typical Core Duties

• Participate fully in software development life cycle
• Research, design, and implement technical solutions to deliver business requirements
• Identify opportunities to improve and simplify applications portfolio and implement related enhancements
• Contribute to creation and maturing of software development best practices and new technologies
• Draw on relationship and technical skills to act as technical liaison to internal and external clients and to mentor junior staff
• Abide by and follow the Harvard University IT technical standards, policies and Code of Conduct

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of five years’ post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

The following Additional Qualifications are strongly preferred. If you meet some, but not all, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn.

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
• Experience with debugging and reading existing code for modifications
• Ability to come up with technical design based on business requirements
• Experience writing complex queries using advanced PLSQL concepts
• Experience with query optimization and performance tuning with large volumes of data
• Ability to work both as part of a team as well as independently
• Ability to prioritize and multitask, deadline and detail-oriented
• Experience with UNIX shell scripting
• Experience working with structured design and development techniques, source code control procedures, and software release management processes in the development of software systems
• Solid analytical skills in assessing functional and technical requirements.
• This position is privy to sensitive and confidential information. Must be conscious of data security and risk management
• Experience in object-oriented programming (e.g. Java) a plus
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies a plus
• Familiarity with Atlassian tools (e.g. Confluence, Jira) a plus
• Demonstrated team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor

Certificates and Licenses

• Completion of Harvard IT Academy specified foundational courses (or external equivalent) preferred

Working Conditions

Interview and onboarding activity for this position may be conducted via telephone & Zoom video conferencing, based on the department’s current presence on campus.

Harvard is an on-campus community and all positions are based in Massachusetts. We currently expect that employees in Department will work remotely until Fall, 2021. Effective October 1st, as a condition of continued employment, all work must be performed in a state where Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT). 

HUIT  is currently developing hybrid workplace models which actively support remote work (within a Harvard registered state) where business and team needs allow. Any remote scheduling of your work, agreed to by your supervisor, will need to be in a state in which Harvard is registered as an employer as a condition of continued employment.  Individual flexible and remote work options for this role will may discussed during the interview process.

Harvard will require COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members who will have any on-campus presence. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement and exceptions may be found at the University’s COVID-19 Vaccine Information webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/ .

Harvard continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff and students, as well as the wider community. Information and details can be found via Harvard’s Coronavirus Workplace Policies website: https://hr.harvard.edu/corona-virus-workplace-policies . 

Additional Information

Please provide a cover letter with your application and upload as one document.

Please note:

• Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening.
• We are unable to provide work authorization and/or visa sponsorship.
• This position has a 180-day orientation and review period.

More about HUIT:
Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is responsible for the strategy, planning, and delivery of information technology across the University.  Our mission is to assure Harvard’s leadership in IT. We strive to make it easier for faculty, students, and staff to teach, research, learn and work through the effective use of information technology.

HUIT’s core values are:

• User-focused
• Collaborative
• Innovative
• Open

IT Academy (designed for IT Staff):
HUIT’s IT Academy aims to enable each IT staff person to grow professionally and become a trusted partner to her or his team. The IT Academy is built on the belief that every IT staff member across the University (including technology employees at each school and campus) can grow in her or his area of expertise as well as building strong people and project management skills. Learn more here: https://itacademy.harvard.edu/

Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging:
Harvard's commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging is rooted in our belief in drawing on the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity. Our community strives to uphold these beliefs by honoring the rights, differences, and dignity of others and embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. Harvard aims to foster a campus culture where everyone can thrive, a key to which is ensuring that we each experience a sense of inclusion and belonging.

Total Rewards:
Harvard’s Total Rewards Program is designed to attract, retain, and reward the performance of talented employees. As a Harvard staff member, you enjoy many perks that come with working for one of the top employers in Massachusetts, including:

Flexible work environment: HUIT supports flexible work arrangements where business needs allow.

Time off: 3 - 4 weeks paid vacation, paid holiday break, 12 paid sick days, 12.5 paid holidays, and 3 paid personal days per year.

Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical plans, dental & vision plans.

Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 3 years of service.

Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.

Harvard University Employees Credit Union: Our employees credit union provides a complete line of services for all your financial needs. https://huecu.org

Transportation: 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.

Wellness options: A variety of programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, massages, nutrition, meditation and complimentary health services.

Access to athletic facilities, libraries, campus events and many discounts throughout metro Boston.

Learn more: https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards

Accessibility:
Harvard University IT plays an important role in supporting Harvard's commitment by seeking to create, procure and deploy technologies that are accessible to all, including and especially those who live with disability. Harvard welcomes individuals with disabilities to apply for positions and participate in its programs and activities. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact our University Disability Resources Department.

Job Function

Information Technology

Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

I0758P Applications Professional IV

Department

Administrative Technology Services

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Pre-Employment Screening

Education, Identity

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.