Lead Software Engineer - Enterprise Data Services

Company Description

Why Wellmark : We are a mutual insurance company owned by our policy holders across Iowa and South Dakota, and we've built our reputation on over 80 years' worth of trust. We are not motivated by profits. We are motivated by the well-being of our friends, family, and neighbors-our members. If you're passionate about joining an organization working hard to put its members first, to provide best-in-class service, and one that is committed to sustainability and innovation, consider applying today!

Job Description

At Wellmark, we're building the next generation of secure, scalable, and reusable data and application services that serve as the foundation for enterprise-wide innovation. As a Lead Software Engineer on the Enterprise Data Services team, you'll balance hands-on coding with technical leadership, driving design decisions, mentoring engineers, and ensuring delivery of high-impact solutions.

This role is both hands-on and collaborative. You will be actively involved in developing complex features, optimizing performance, and contributing directly to the codebase. At the same time, you will play a key role in shaping technical designs, writing technical stories, and working closely with Product Owners and Principal / Platform Engineers to ensure solutions align with both business priorities and long-term architectural goals. You will also guide and support the team through code reviews, mentorship, and release planning, helping maintain high standards of quality, security, and scalability across all deliverables.

As a technical leader, you'll raise the bar for engineering excellence while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.

What You'll Do

• Develop high-priority features and complex components in Node.js / Python microservices, including new service endpoints, integrations, and infrastructure-as-code with AWS CDK.
• Optimize systems for scalability, reliability, and performance in AWS cloud environments.
• Partner with Principal / Platform Engineers and Product Owners to refine system designs, break down epics into actionable technical stories, and align delivery with business goals.
• Write clear technical specifications and ensure the backlog is well-defined with achievable, sprint-sized stories.
• Lead and participate in code reviews to maintain high standards for quality, security, testing, and maintainability.
• Mentor engineers across skill levels, providing guidance on AWS services, microservice design, CI / CD, automated testing, and observability practices.
• Coordinate release planning, deployment workflows, and rollback strategies in AWS while collaborating closely with QA to ensure proper testing coverage.
• Ensure production stability by monitoring and supporting services in AWS, leading incident resolution, and driving root-cause analysis to implement long-term improvements that enhance reliability, performance, and compliance.
• Actively contribute during sprint planning, backlog grooming, sprint reviews, and retrospectives, helping the team continuously improve.
• Foster an open, collaborative environment where engineers feel supported, engaged, and accountable.

You Will Be Successful Here By

What You'll Bring to the Team

Qualifications

Preferred

Required

Additional Information

a. Lead system development and engineering for highly complex programs. Coordinate the preparation, coding, testing, and debugging of complex programs; including the analysis and development of workflows that utilize emerging technology and meet and exceed Wellmark's evolving business needs.

b. Serve as subject matter expert in the implementation of innovative and cost-effective business solutions for multiple applications and systems utilizing information technology, business, and industry trends.

c. Provide leadership, training, and guidance to others on the team in the gathering of information, necessary research needed for root cause analysis, problem definition and formulation, solution implementation, verification, and ongoing optimization. Ensure analysis of defects to find root cause and guide others in the identification of potential improvement opportunities.

d. Mentor, guide and problem-solve with other technology areas in the development and implementation of solutions, including how to use new or enhanced software / applications.

e. Coordinate with company resources to accomplish integration of products and processes and complex solutions. Provide timely and accurate results, and exceptional customer service.

f. Utilize established relationships with Wellmark leaders and acts as a primary consultant on business status, issues, process improvements and technology enhancements or capabilities.

g. Participate in project proposals, estimates and proof-of-concept activities as needed.

h. Maintain awareness of industry's best practices and standards and proactively participates in industry / knowledge reference groups relative to role. Provide direction for enterprise standards. Conduct code reviews and monitor standard adherence.

i. Other duties as assigned.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The policy of Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation due to a disability at any stage of the employment application process should contact us at careers@wellmark.com

Please inform us if you meet the definition of a "Covered DoD official".

At this time, Wellmark is not considering applicants for this position that require any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO : F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please refer to the following resources : Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants