Software Engineer II

Northwestern Mutual is seeking a Software Engineer II to join the API Enablement team within Digital Platform. This team plays a unique role across the enterprise by helping engineering teams design, build, and implement APIs that are secure, scalable, and aligned with enterprise standards. This role combines hands-on engineering with collaboration, guidance, and technical influence. Success requires strong communication skills, curiosity, problem-solving ability, and a desire to help others deliver better technology solutions.

Responsibilities

• Apply engineering best practices to analyze, design, develop, and support API-based software solutions.
• Develop software using modern development practices and continuous integration and deployment methodologies.
• Partner with engineering teams to promote API standards, design patterns, and best practices.
• Utilize monitoring, automation, and operational tooling to improve solution reliability and performance.
• Participate in code reviews and provide constructive technical feedback.
• Collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solutions.
• Contribute to team standards, documentation, governance initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support and mentor less experienced engineers as opportunities arise.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 1-3 years of professional software engineering experience.
• Experience developing software solutions using modern programming languages such as Java, JavaScript, Python, .NET, or similar technologies.
• Familiarity with continuous integration and deployment practices.
• Experience working with public cloud technologies such as AWS, Azure, or containerized environments.
• Strong technical and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to technical and business audiences.
• Demonstrated curiosity, learning agility, and willingness to expand technical expertise.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Interest in mentoring junior engineers and contributing to team development.

Skills

• Software Development: Designs, develops, tests, maintains, and supports software applications using sound engineering practices and modern development methodologies.
• Adaptive Communication: Communicates technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences while building strong partnerships across teams.
• Technical Problem Solving: Approaches complex challenges with structured thinking, identifies root causes, evaluates options, and implements effective solutions.
• Cloud Technology: Supports, develops, and maintains solutions leveraging cloud technologies and modern infrastructure practices.
• DevOps: Applies CI/CD, automation, monitoring, and operational best practices to improve delivery quality and reliability.
• Learning Agility & Critical Thinking: Quickly learns new technologies and concepts while evaluating challenges through a thoughtful, analytical lens.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works effectively with engineers, architects, and stakeholders to deliver solutions that meet business and technical needs.
• Data Literacy (NM): Beginner
• Application Security (NM): Intermediate
• Strategic Thinking (NM): Beginner
• Business Application (NM): Beginner
• Cross Functional Partnering & Planning (NM): Beginner
• Analytical Thinking (NM): Intermediate
• Root Cause Analysis & Decision Quality (NM): Beginner
• Software Problem Solving (NM): Beginner
• Customer Centricity (NM): Beginner
• Application Performance Management (NM): Intermediate
• Release Management (NM): Beginner

Pay

The standard pay range for this role is $98,320.00 - $147,480.00. Geographic-specific pay structures are as follows:

• Structure 110: $108,160.00 - $162,240.00
• Structure 115: $113,040.00 - $169,560.00

Final salaries are based on skills, experience, location, and other factors uncovered during the hiring process.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules
• Concierge service
• Comprehensive benefits
• Employee resource groups