Software Engineer/Developer

About the role

The TOPS Lab, part of the College of Engineering and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, is dedicated to improving transportation safety and mobility through innovative research, partnerships, and applied technology solutions. As part of the lab's Information Technology Research and Development group, this position contributes to impactful, real-world systems developed in collaboration with partners such as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). The Software Engineer/Developer I/II will play a key role in supporting and enhancing these mission-critical systems.

In this role, you'll work closely with experienced engineers, researchers, and external stakeholders to design, build, and support large-scale applications that make a difference in transportation safety and efficiency. You'll collaborate with a diverse team of staff, faculty, and students to help shape system requirements and bring new features and improvements to life. The position also offers opportunities to contribute to system implementation and deployment, ensure performance and reliability of production systems, and create clear, effective technical documentation that supports long-term success. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys applying their technical skills in a collaborative, research-driven environment with real-world impact.

Responsibilities

• Reviews application design specifications, codes new applications, and makes enhancements to existing applications
• Implements data structure and systems performance strategies
• Maintains and troubleshoots applications, systems, or websites
• Prepares program documentation and training requirements
• Tests and debugs programs, and prepares systems test data
• Develops or modifies technical specifications for low-complexity projects using disciplined software development practices

Qualifications

Required:

• At least 2 years of professional software development experience in a business or production environment
• Proficiency in using Java programming language
• Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, with experience using modern front-end frameworks or libraries (e.g., Bootstrap, React, Angular)
• Proficiency in object-oriented design and programming
• Experience with databases (e.g., Oracle database, PostgreSQL, MSSQL)
• Experience working across the software development lifecycle including requirements, architecture, design, development, testing, documentation, and maintenance

Preferred:

• Experience with backend Java frameworks such as Spring or Hibernate
• Experience in JUnit and integration testing frameworks
• Experience using front-end mapping libraries such as Leaflet, OpenLayers, or Google Maps API
• Experience with collaborative workflows and CI/CD pipelines
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated success working in a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field preferred.

Pay

Well-qualified applicants can anticipate earning between $70,000 - $85,000, with final salary based on experience and qualifications.