Staff Software Engineer

Company: Western Governors University
Location: Salt Lake City
Posted on: March 12, 2025

Job Description:

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 Craft Education as the next step in your career.Craft Education is on a mission to solve skilled labor shortages by powering work-based learning pathways for all.At Craft, we're revolutionizing the apprenticeship degree, combining on-the-job learning with accredited instruction to create innovative educational pathways that accommodate working professionals and meet employer needs. Our flagship product - Craft Connect - helps organizations administer apprentice degree programs and address mission-critical data and reporting needs. Through the same platform, Craft is also transforming how on-the-job learning converts into academic credits.Our team of technology, education and workforce professionals also provides technical assistance to organizations looking to launch and manage apprenticeship degree programs. We are working tirelessly to accelerate the expansion of these programs along with the data infrastructure that underpins them.If you're looking to join the work-based learning revolution, we'd love to talk with you. At Craft, you'll have the opportunity to solve hard problems in a high-growth startup environment and make a lasting impact on the future of education and workforce development. We couldn't be more excited to advance this work as a team of innovative, collaborative and mission-oriented professionals - we hope you'll consider joining us.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: Pay Range: $127,700.00 - $191,500.00Job DescriptionJob SummaryThe 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. Staff Software Engineers are also tasked with establishing and maintaining a positive and productive culture based on the WGU Leadership Principles.Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Lead in the building of cutting-edge applications and services to increase and improve the student experience.
• Exemplify a mastery of coding excellence and software quality, mentoring others and pioneering new standards and architectural foundations.
• Foster and utilize innovative approaches to problems and functionality for all key stakeholders.
• Own technologies focusing on student success and scalability while supporting student-focused user experience.
• Collaborate with developers, designers, testing, and product management to develop features and innovative approaches to applications and features.
• May mentor/advise engineering teams on new languages and technologies; act as a resident expert when needed.
• Establish a balance between strategic planning and initiatives with development, communication, troubleshooting, and problem solving.
• Lead in the prototyping and development of new technology and framework, improving the student experience.
• Identify system redundancies and inefficiencies, proposing innovative and cost-effective solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work equally well in self-managed and team-based Agile projects.
• Work with internal customers to gather business processes and project requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:
  • Demonstrated ability to establish innovative system frameworks.
  • Demonstrated ability to implement and manage an API Framework.Organizational or Student Impact:
    • Recommends and implements changes in technical/business processes; identifies areas for improvement.
    • Helps lead/coordinate extremely complex technical projects and programs and leads development and implementation of innovative solutions for specialized technical issues.
    • Works proactively; identifies and helps prevent/ solve problems that may cross disciplines.
    • Fully understands and quantifies project risks with impact. Identifies, generates, and implements innovative solutions.Problem Solving & Decision Making:
      • This individual accomplishes goals and objectives independently.
      • Builds and leads teams, influencing decisions and results.
      • Uses discretion to fully scope, design, and implement solutions to complex technical problems.
      • The individual provides regular technical advice and direction to technical teams and management.
      • Models and helps set high standards for effective interactions with internal and external individuals.Communication & Influence:
        • Communicates with parties within and outside of their job function and typically has responsibilities for communicating with parties external to the organization.
        • Works to influence others to accept and understand new concepts, practices, and approaches. Requires ability to communicate with executive leadership regarding matters of significant importance to the organization.
        • This individual may conduct briefings with senior leaders within the technical function.Leadership:
          • Frequently responsible for providing guidance, coaching, and training to other employees across the Company within the area of expertise.
          • Responsible for managing large, complex project initiatives or strategically important solutions to the organization, involving large cross-functional teams.
          • May have direct reports but generally fewer than three.Job Qualifications:Minimum Qualifications:
            • Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or related field, OR an equivalent combination of experience and training.
            • 7 years' experience in software development; pioneering new approaches and technologies in engineering.
            • The individual is acknowledged within the group as a subject matter expert.
            • Experience in web-based applications and web services such as, Typescript, Nest.js, GraphQL, REST, SQL, GIT and other technologies, including experience integrating third-party products.
            • Demonstrated ability to establish innovative system frameworks.
            • Demonstrated ability to implement and manage an API Framework.Preferred Qualifications:
              • Master's degree or higher in related field
              • 7-9 years of prior relevant experience.
              • Proven experience in the following areas: Amazon Web Services (AWS), GIT, SQL, Typescript, Nest.js, GraphQL,
              • Experience architecting, implementing, and managing enterprise-level software solutions.
              • Strong experience with distance education and distance learning students is preferred.Physical Requirements:
                • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
                • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.#LI-CW1Position & Application DetailsFull-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 InformationDisclaimer: 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.

Keywords: Western Governors University, Salt Lake City , Staff Software Engineer, IT / Software / Systems , Salt Lake City, Utah