Developer Associate

Target hiring range for this position is between $72,340–89,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

About the role

Completes maintenance and support tasks for existing software products. Assists in developing, testing, and debugging new software or making enhancements to existing software. Writes programs according to specifications from analysts and senior developers. Performs basic system integration tasks.

Under the current hybrid work model, a minimum of two in-office days with the team are expected per week, subject to change.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Collaborates with analysts to develop workflows and features. Assists in all stages of the project, starting from the initial planning stages.
• Administration: Responds to inquiries and adheres to Northwestern’s ITSM. Creates and maintains software, process, and support documentation. Routes more complex requests for features/upgrades/changes to appropriate senior staff/management. Participates in team and project meetings.
• Development: Assists with all phases of the SDLC. Writes programs according to specifications from analysts and senior developers. Develops applications adhering to designs that support internal business requirements or external users. Completes tier 3 troubleshooting. Prioritizes assigned tasks. Meets with business analysts and stakeholders to determine requirements. Escalates issues with vendors as appropriate.
• Miscellaneous: Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• No professional experience required.

Skills

• Infrastructure: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Code Repositories (Git, Subversion), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook), SQL/MySQL/Postgres.
• Programming Languages and Frameworks: Java, JavaScript, Node.js, PHP, Laravel.
• Analytical & Technical: Critical thinking, database design/data structure, debugging, decision making, problem solving, troubleshooting, project documentation, collaboration, teamwork, organizational skills, planning, workflow development & documentation.
• Minimum Competencies:
  • Knowledgeable in a modern programming language such as PHP, Python, Java, JavaScript, etc.
  • Conceptual understanding of REST APIs and JSON.
  • Experience using Git version control system.
  • Experience developing a CRUD web application using a SQL or NoSQL database.
  • Experience learning a new technology independently.
  • Strong verbal and written communication abilities.
  • Ability to critically think and understand projects from business, customer, and technical perspectives.
  • Excellent analytic, problem-solving, and collaborative skills.
  • Ability to prioritize and multi-task.
  • Proactively identifies, communicates, and addresses application problems and opportunities.
  • Proficient in collaboration tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams.
• Preferred Competencies:
  • Knowledge of higher education.
  • Experience working as part of an Agile software development team and/or as part of diverse information systems project teams.
  • Knowledge of current industry best practices in software design and software development implementation, methodology, including structured testing.
  • Experience developing full-stack applications on an application framework such as Laravel, CakePHP, Drupal, Symfony, CodeIgniter, .NET MVC, Django, Ruby on Rails, Spring, etc. (Laravel preferred).
  • Experience with relational database development.
  • Experience writing automated tests for an application.
  • Experience creating technical documentation.
  • Familiarity with GitHub Actions, Terraform, and cloud (AWS) services.
  • Self-starter able to work in a hybrid environment.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Paid vacation, holidays, medical/sick leave, and parental leave.
• Tuition benefits for the employee and dependents.
• Pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care.
• Retirement savings options.
• Wellness programs.
• Work-life and wellness programs, including flexible work arrangements, childcare, and senior/adult care support.
• Professional growth and development resources.