Chicago, IL, USA
19 hours ago
Staff Software Engineer

Department

BSD CTD - Engineering


About the Department

The Center for Translational Data Science (CTDS) at the University of Chicago is a research center whose mission is to develop the discipline of translational data science to impactful problems in biology, medicine, healthcare, and the environment. We envision a world in which researchers have ready access to the data needed and the tools required to make data driven discoveries that increase our scientific knowledge and improve the quality of life. We architect ecosystems of large-scale commons of research data, computing resources, applications, tools, and services for the broader research community to use data at scale to pursue scientific inquiry and accelerate discovery. Learn more at https://gdc.cancer.gov/, https://gen3.org/, https://stats.gen3.org/, and https://ctds.uchicago.edu/.


Job Summary

The job works independently to perform a variety of activities relating to software support and/or development. Analyzes, designs, develops, debugs, and modifies computer code for end user applications, beta general releases, and production support. Guides development and implementation of applications, web pages, and user-interfaces using a variety of software applications, techniques, and tools. Solves complex problems in administration, maintenance, integration, and troubleshooting of code and application ecosystem currently in production.

Software Engineers perform web application development activities of open-source software platforms, including analyzing business and technical requirements, designing/developing/testing software, reviewing and testing code, supporting and maintaining applications, and providing appropriate written documentation of project development and programming code. Staff Software Engineers are expected to be flexible for full-stack development and some may have a specialty in back-end or front-end technologies.

This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Responsibilities

Responsible for a scope of significant size critical to the team’s success, including top priority technical tasks and timely delivery of such tasks, meeting and helping define the required level of quality.

Participation in complex and challenging activities, including design and implementation.

Provide technical leadership and effectively mentor interns and less experienced members.

Negotiate complex decisions, present options and persuasively advocate for optimal technical solutions, internally and externally.

Responsible for a scope of significant size critical to the team’s success, including top priority technical tasks and timely delivery of such tasks, meeting and helping define the required level of quality.

Participation in complex and challenging activities, including design and implementation.

Provide technical leadership and effectively mentor interns and less experienced members.

Actively participate in the hiring process and provide fair and productive interview feedback.

Negotiate complex decisions, present options and persuasively advocate for optimal technical solutions, internally and externally.

Develop and integrate AI models and algorithms to enhance application functionalities and solve complex business problems.

Designs new systems, features, and tools. Solves complex problems and identifies opportunities for technical improvement and performance optimization. Reviews and tests code to ensure appropriate standards are met.

Utilizes technical knowledge of existing and emerging technologies, including public cloud offerings from Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

Acts as a technical consultant and resource for faculty research, teaching, and/or administrative projects.

Performs other related work as needed.


Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.


Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.


Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Advanced degree in computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering, or a relevant quantitative field strongly preferred.

Experience:

6+ years of relevant software development experience, full cycle preferred, including design, coding, testing, and support.

Advanced programming skills using Python (preferred), Golang/Javascript (a plus), or other languages like C/C++, Java, or C#.

Knowledge of web applications, REST API, microservices, and containers.

Knowledge of Elasticsearch, PostgreSQL, Spark, Hadoop, and data analysis.

Knowledge of configuration management utilities (Chef, Salt, Ansible) and container-based deployment solutions (Docker, Kubernetes).

High performance/cloud computing experience (AWS, GCP, Openstack).

Unix/Linux programming, open source, and version control experience.

Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Openstack), CI/CD, and Agile methodologies

Experience with implementing machine learning & AI solutions (generative AI, fine-tuning models, custom model training and evaluation, LLMs, RAG).

Preferred Competencies

Ability to collaborate with team members and help define guidelines and best practices and ensuring accountability for deliverables and outcomes.

Ability to take multiple complex tasks and break them into smaller ones, estimating the effort needed to complete them, prioritizing them appropriately, and ensuring the completion of each task, meeting the required level of quality.

Ability to prioritize and manage workload to meet project milestones and deadlines.

Ability to persuade others to adopt new structures or systems in order to meet objectives.

Ability to take and provide constructive and helpful input and feedback on technical issues.

In-depth knowledge in most technical areas of major projects and the core product.

Considered a Subject Matter Expert of main technology, programming languages, and core solutions.

Working Conditions

Office environment.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Cover Letter (preferred)


When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.


Job Family

Information Technology


Role Impact

Individual Contributor


Scheduled Weekly Hours

40


Drug Test Required
 

No


Health Screen Required
 

No


Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No


Pay Rate Type

Salary


FLSA Status

Exempt


Pay Range

$98,940.00 - $137,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.


Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.


Posting Statement
 

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Confirm your E-mail: Send Email