As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The University of Washington’s eScience Institute was founded in 2008 to promote data science adoption and methods development across all areas of science, engineering, arts, and humanities. There is a large and growing need not just for data science talent, but also for research software engineering expertise. To address this need, the University of Washington’s eScience Institute is leveraging support from Schmidt Futures to build a Scientific Software Engineering Center (SSEC). The primary goal of the SSEC is to support the development of infrastructure and capacity within the University of Washington (UW) to address difficult scientific software problems. The values of diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to the success of this research enterprise and are embedded in the culture of who we are as an institution and as an employer. The eScience Institute and SSEC share President Cauce’s commitment to combat inequities and racism.

The eScience Institute is seeking outstanding candidates for the position of Principal Lead Software Engineer (multiple openings).

Software engineering is vital to Seattle’s emergence as a tech leader driving a local climate of innovation. The new Scientific Software Engineering Center (SSEC) at UW’s eScience Institute will leverage local software engineering talent to advance scientific frontiers that will change the world around us and respond to the pressing challenges that face humanity.

We are building a diverse team of software engineers who will bring their unique backgrounds and expertise to the UW community. These software engineers will work on impactful research projects, infusing them with the software industry’s best practices, and delivering reusable, open source software that will accelerate future research in areas like climate change, health, energy and basic science.

We are looking for qualified software engineers with dual backgrounds in science and technology, who will be central to the SSEC mission to support data driven research by enabling the development of new software tools and user communities serving greater scientific goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES
This position will be part of a new endeavor to create a collegial, creative team, collaborating with University researchers to improve efficiency and reproducibility of research outcomes. Responsibilities will include application design and implementation, research design and collaboration, problem resolution, projects, and providing status reports to SSEC directors. This position will provide a major role in creating and staffing project teams, and will lead, mentor, and coach SSEC teammates.  The position reports to the SSEC Head of Engineering (UW title: Sr. Principal Research Scientist/Engineer).

Design and Implement Applications
- Lead the design and implementation of applications/systems that offer a wide range of functionalities to the user population. Advance innovative and unique approaches and methods of software development.
- Manage the products end to end.
- Tailor existing or create new systems to meet specific research needs.
- Create content and contribute to initiatives designed by SSEC directors. Contribute to other deliverables as designed by SSEC leadership.

Collaborate With Research Design
- Build internal code design and development guides for future contributors.
- Collaborate with researchers in the design, planning, and implementation of software that enriches research productivity and reliability.
- Build understanding of research activities through regular engagements.
- Guide UW investigators toward sustainable software goals.

Lead, Mentor, Coach SSEC teammates
- Provide major input to creating and staffing of project teams.
- Foster and support a creative, open environment for vibrant research development.
- Assist junior colleagues with problem solving, documentation, communication, and time management.

Problem Resolution/Project Tasks
- Manage the correction of application issues and process challenges.  Identify and implement improvement initiatives to meet the needs and changing mission of the environment.
- Manage issue tracking, internally and with researchers. Resolve outstanding issues.
- Mentor junior members on the team toward completion of goals and assignments.
- Provide routine accurate, timely, and pertinent status reports to the SSEC Center Lead and SSEC directors.


REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of 6 years of previous experience in software engineering.
- Experience cultivating positive and productive professional relationships with individuals from diverse social, cultural, and political contexts and ability to build rapport quickly.
- Proven success leading dynamic teams. Ability to drive innovation and excitement to learn about new technologies and science applications.
- Experience leading architecture and implementing solutions that integrate multiple technologies across platforms and business systems.
- Experience developing software applications using Python, JavaScript, Go, or similar language in a Linux environment.
- Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines, using technologies and platforms such as Kubernetes, AWS CodeBuild, Azure DevOps, or GCP Cloud Build.
- Experience working with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
- Experience using Git for source-control, continuous integration, and release management.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and excellent problem-solving skills.

Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum requirements.

DESIRED
- Experience with Agile development practices, including test-driven development.
- Experience documenting Operational Systems / User Guides.
- Knowledge of database structures, data definitions and data relationships.
- Experience implementing data access and application security policies.
- Demonstrated ability to work with and facilitate multidisciplinary work groups in an application development or support setting.

CONDITIONS
- Periodically available for phone calls/meetings in the early morning and late evenings to accommodate nationwide time differences.
- Deadline-driven environment, occasionally requiring extended hours and/or work on weekends.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.