Digital Library Software Engineer

Harvard University - Cambridge, MA

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Cambridge, MA

Educational Services

About the position

The Digital Library Software Engineer (DLSE) at Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) is responsible for supporting the development of the next-generation Digital Repository Service (DRS) and its integration within the existing software ecosystem. This role involves collaboration with cross-functional teams throughout all phases of software projects, including requirements analysis, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. The DLSE will provide leadership in designing and developing innovative solutions that are scalable, secure, and reliable, while also mentoring junior staff and acting as a technical liaison to clients.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the project team and other engineering and operations teams to design and build highly scalable, secure, and reliable software for exchanging and transforming large and complex data sets between internal applications.
• Participate fully in the software development life cycle including researching and proposing technical solutions that meet functional requirements to deliver business requirements.
• Write well-designed, efficient, scalable code.
• Maintain code and API documentation.
• Actively participate in application design, implementation, and deployment.
• Re-engineer legacy applications to meet current quality standards.
• Design and write REST APIs for new and legacy applications.
• Integrate automated testing and documentation in the coding effort.
• Assist team in all relevant activities leading up to the new DRS launch and switch-over from the old system.
• 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.

Requirements

• Minimum of five years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience.
• Proven work experience with complex, highly asynchronous software architectures, and with complex, mission-critical, and high-volume applications.
• Familiarity with the Flask, WSGI, and Celery frameworks at scale.
• Strong Python and Docker experience.
• Knowledge of REST API principles.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with or interest in community-supported, open source software.
• CI/CD pipelines.
• Java (to migrate legacy applications from Java to Python).
• Excellent team play and communication skills.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year, 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess, 3 personal days per year, and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary caregivers.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits.
• Child and elder/adult care resources including on-campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs.
• University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development programs and classes at little or no cost.
• Various commuter options including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes, and biking benefits.